Ahipara (New Zealand)

Located at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach, Ahipara is a small, seaside village, known for its immense, white sand dunes and the wide range of sporting activities that are on offer.

In fact, you will find a number of different agencies that offer quad bikes, mountain bikes, and sail boats to rent, alongside surfboards and bodyboards, allowing you to descend the huge dunes at top speed, I tried sliding down the dunes on a bodyboard - it's a steep climb but thrills are guaranteed! If you would prefer a calmer afternoon on the beach, be sure to pick your spot carefully as the region is very windy, which could make for a very unpleasant tanning session.

The region is imbued with the Maori culture and is home to one of the largest indigenous communities in New Zealand. I did hear of a museum dedicated to the Maori culture, which apparently features a number of local musical instruments. Unfortunately, I never quite found out where it is, but apparently it's worth the detour...