Running west from the settlement of Kaipara Flats, just out of Warkworth, this gravel road winds its way across to SH16. It's well maintained and an easy, scenic drive, a good one for beginners wanting to cut their teeth on gravel in a relatively safe way.

The road rolls through rural farmland and bush-clad hills, with plenty of spots to pull over and take photos. The main thing to keep in mind is the character of it: it narrows in places and has tight, sharp corners, so take it slow and steady. This is working farm country too, so keep an eye out for farm machinery on the move, which can make the narrow sections feel tight quickly.

Worth knowing that this road featured as one of the 2022 New Zealand Rally stages, so there's a bit of motorsport history to enjoy as you go through.