Amidst the new crop of animated films coming our way is another tale about penguins (flightless they may be, but good for humourous characterisation you cannot deny) only this time they're surfing! Why not? It's so obvious when you think about it.
So, surfing (that really is my tenuous link). It's not the first activity I think of when it comes New Zealand, but the ol' west coast of the North Island is a hidden gem for keen surfers. Western North Island is one of the least visited regions of the country. It's necessitates a detour from the main visitor highway via Rotorua and Napier and as such is often overlooked. Surfies do so at your peril.
With 105km of surf coastline there are some legendary breaks to be had along Surf Hwy 45 - New Zealand's only dedicated surf driving route. It's the perfectly angled swells from the Tasman Sea that roll into sweeping deserted beaches, clipping reefs and sandbars that make this such a good location ensuring 'pumping waves and impressive barrels'. Base yourself in New Plymouth and not only do you have world class surfing on your doorstep but also excellent walking in Egmont National Park where stunning cone-shaped Mt Taranaki provides an iconic backdrop.
New Zealand really does have it all!
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