Hunts Beach Road branches off the highway on the South Island's West Coast, climbing a scenic gravel route through dense native West Coast forest before opening out onto the beach. The lush bush gradually gives way to a wild, open coastline, giving the drive a remote and unspoilt feel.

The route is short and straightforward, an easy detour for anyone travelling the coast who wants a quiet taste of the region's rugged shoreline. Take your time on the gravel and enjoy the native canopy along the way.

The payoff is the beach at the end, a wild stretch of West Coast shore that rewards the short trip in. It's a relaxed stop to stretch the legs and soak up the scenery before rejoining the highway.