A short drop down off SH1 brings you to the Rangitikei riverbed, where a network of little tracks branches off to different spots along the gravel flats. Easy enough to find your own patch by the water.

It's classic Rangitikei country out here: open shingle, braided channels and big open sky. Good for a riverside break or a play on the stones, with plenty of room to spread out across the gravel.

Worth remembering this is a living river. The channels, gravel bars and tracks shift about constantly, so what works one visit may be different the next. Read the river before committing, and stay well clear during storms or when levels are up, as the riverbed can flood quickly. Best treated as a fair-weather spot with an eye on the forecast.