One of New Zealand's most beautiful locations has been named the ninth-best beach in the world.
UK luxury travel publication Condé Nast Traveller's list of the 34 best beaches in the world places Tasman's Awaroa Beach up alongside other iconic global destinations.
"Set deep in the heart of New Zealand's glorious Abel Tasman National Park, Awaroa is hemmed in by clover-green native bush and seas that sparkle like freshly blown glass," the article gushes.
"Most visitors come here either by water – swooshing in on kayaks or small boats – or on foot, to ramble around the park's lush forests.
"It has an important place in the hearts of the locals, who banded together to crowdfund the purchase of the privately held beachfront when it came up for sale in 2016, thus giving this pretty part of the planet the nickname the People's Beach."
The pristine location was elevated to global attention after that unique campaign over its future.
Nearly 40,000 people donated almost $2.3 million towards the effort.
And it's not the only beach in the region to make the cut.
Australia's Palm Cove Beach took first place and our neighbours had plenty of other featured destinations as well: Wategos Beach (four), Mona Vale Beach (six), Noosa Beach (eight), Turquoise Bay (22) and Gantheaume Point (25).
Awaroa's beauty was recently lauded by Lonely Planet as well.
The top 10
- Palm Cove Beach, Australia
- Honopu Beach, Hawaii
- Brekon, Scotland
- Wategos Beach, Australia
- Ora Beach, Indonesia
- Mona Vale Beach, Australia
- Dune du Pilat, France
- Noosa Beach, Australia
- Awaroa, New Zealand
- Die Plaat, South Africa.
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