Out on the northern West Coast of the South Island in the Tasman region, the Whanganui Inlet drive may only be a gravel road but it's well worth the trip. The route runs alongside a stunning coastal inlet, crossing single-lane bridges and serving up amazing sights the whole way. Beyond the gravel, the road takes in a couple of enjoyable river crossings — the Anatori river and the wider Turamiwiwi river — both best tackled at low tide, so fitting a snorkel is a smart move. Along the coast you'll also find big sand dunes. It's an easy, scenic outing that rewards the journey with classic remote West Coast landscapes and a real sense of getting away from it all.