Tucked away on the East Cape in the Gisborne region, Whangaparaoa Bay is reached via a simple gravel road that cruises down to the beach - an awesome spot to pull up for lunch. The setting is classic remote coastal New Zealand, with the wide bay opening out to the Pacific.

The road itself is straightforward, but whether you can actually drive on the sand depends entirely on the shape of the beach, which changes over time. Sometimes it's firm and drivable, other times it's not, so it always pays to stop and check conditions on foot before committing and dropping down onto the sand.

Take your time, enjoy the views, and treat the beach with respect. This is a great low-key destination for a relaxed day out rather than a technical challenge.