Ōreti Beach runs for 26 kilometres along the southern coast of the South Island.
Just 10 kilometres from Invercargill, the beach is a popular spot for all types of recreation – from sand karting to windsurfing; horse riding to dog walking. It is also one of a handful of beaches in New Zealand that vehicles are allowed to drive on, making it a coastal highway.
A famous Invercargill local did just that back in 1957.
It was here on Ōreti Beach that Southland motorcycling hero Burt Munro set a New Zealand Open Beach record of 131.38 mph; in 1975 he raised this to 136 mph.
The beach also played a starring role in the film The World’s Fastest Indian which tells Munro’s story.
At the southern end of Ōreti Beach, Sandy Point is a great spot for exploring on foot, mountain bike or horseback.
