On Wellington's rugged south coast, Ocean Beach is a fantastic drive on a fine day. The route mixes gravel, dirt and sand with a few small river crossings, leading out to a wild stretch of coastline with views that are hard to beat.

It's popular for surfcasting and there's good camping at the beach, including Corner Creek Campsite, making it well worth the trip out. A locked gate at the far end means it's best treated as a return trip rather than a through-route. Heading west toward Muckamucka Valley, a long-standing slip has narrowed the main track to a point where it's impassable to most vehicles, so plan your run accordingly.

Take care on the beaches too, as the soft sand can easily bog a vehicle down. On road pressures the gravel sections and small river crossings are straightforward, but this is exposed coastal country that rewards a sensible, well-prepared approach.