The scenery out here is so super, you'll want to make sure the designated driver keeps their eyes on the road while you bags the passenger position and marvel at every turn.
Thirty minutes drive from Clevedon, or an hour from Auckland, this spot is reached by driving along Clevedon-Kawakawa Bay Road, which takes travellers along the coast road through Waharau, Whakatiwai and Kaiaua (which has a fabulous fish and chip shop, btw).
Aside from lounging on the beach, exploring rock pools and tarzaning on rope swings, there's great walking around here, including the Tapapakanga Coastal Walk - 7.4km of deliciousness requiring a reasonable level of fitness, and the historic Ashby Homestead (c1900), now used as an artist's studio, is a lovely relic from the past.
If you can't bear to leave, the beachfront DoC camping ground is a doozy, although in the high season you'll need to book well in advance to nab one of the 40 positions.
On your return home, why not do a full loop and swing by Miranda Hot Springs and the Shorebird Centre?
