Karioitahi Beach lies on the Manukau Heads Peninsula, west of Pukekohe on Auckland's West Coast. It's a popular, easily accessible spot offering a wide, flat stretch of sand between the surf and the high tide line, shared by 4WDs, motorbikes, fishers and families, so please respect other users. Scenic and reliably well rated, the beach is backed by dunes, with waterfalls nearby that make for great family day setups.

Driving notes: South of Karioitahi Beach Road the beach is smooth and open, ending at an impassable rocky outcrop, so be cautious of uneven sand near this point. Head further south for more challenging soft-sand dune trails, mud baths and complicated hills; the mud bases are solid but can have deep roots, so pick a good line. North of the road the drive winds between scattered rocks, adding some challenge. The higher, high-tide sand is soft, so airing down (around 18psi) helps.

A free, one-year vehicle permit for each vehicle. Police presence is strong, so make sure you have one.