Down in the Catlins, this is a short beach run along the tidal coast at Papatowai. The route follows the sand below the high-tide line, so you'll want to time it with the tides before heading through.

There's a river along the way. Many won't bother with it, but crossing it is possible and will extend the run a fair bit. Do that at your own risk and only if you've got a good read on conditions. The coast through here is wild and rugged, and it's a good stretch of driving.

The beach makes a nice spot to pull up for lunch and take it all in. Keep a close eye on the tide the whole time you're down here, as the window can close quickly and there's not much margin for error on sand. A good short detour if you're working your way along the Catlins coast.