Te Arai Beach is a nature reserve in the rural far north of Rodney, reached down a long gravel road that ends at a broad, east-facing sweep of white sand; reviewers give it 4.8 from 403 reviews, praising the clean toilets, ample parking and sunrise views. A coastal reserve like this rewards preparation. Unsealed roads leave cars dusty, and there is often no shop or drinking water on site, so bring supplies and sun protection. East-facing beaches catch the sunrise at their best, but open swells bring rips, so swimming is one for the experienced. Rock pools and long walks are best around low tide, when more of the shore lies exposed and shorebirds feed at the waterline. For those happy to take the dusty drive, Te Arai's wild shoreline running towards South Mangawhai is some of the region's quietest and loveliest coast.