A scenic beach sits just south of Mangawhai Heads, and there are a few ways to reach it through the gravel roads that lace this stretch of coast. Te Arai Point is the destination, and this is one of the longer routes in.

The drive runs along the coast on gravel, with a paved section through the middle, so it's more of a relaxed coastal tour than any real off-road challenge. The going is easy and suits most vehicles, with good sea views along the way.

Worth the detour if you're taking the coastal route north towards Whangarei. The beach is a pleasant spot to pull over and stretch your legs.