Out on the Manukau Heads Peninsula, this wide West Coast beach is an easy one to get to and a popular day out. There's a flat run of sand between the surf and the high tide line, backed by dunes, with waterfalls nearby that make good spots to set up with the family. It's shared by 4WDs, motorbikes, fishers and families, so go easy on other users.

South of Karioitahi Beach Road the sand is smooth and open until it ends at a rocky outcrop you can't get past, so watch the uneven sand near there. Keep heading south and you'll find the more interesting stuff: soft-sand dune trails, mud baths and complicated hills. The mud bases are solid but can hide deep roots, so pick a good line. North of the road the drive winds between scattered rocks for a bit more of a challenge.

The high-tide sand up top is soft, so airing down to around 18psi helps you stay on top rather than cutting in. You'll need a free one-year vehicle permit for each vehicle, and police presence is strong, so sort that before you go.