Waikawau Bay

Waikawau Bay is far enough up the Coromandel's eastern side that most visitors never get there, and that is the entire point. A two-kilometre curve of sand, a river mouth at one end, farmland behind, and a large DOC campground on the flat between the two. No shop, no café, no phone signal to speak of.

The road in from Colville is unsealed for the last stretch and slow going in a camper — allow more time than the map suggests and take it gently. Once you are there, you will not want to move for a few days, which is just as well.

Bring everything: food, water, and a book. The nearest supplies of any consequence are back in Coromandel Town, over an hour away. In exchange you get one of the emptiest good beaches on the North Island.