Along the northeast coast of Franklin lies the Pohutukawa Coast – a series of bays, cliffs, and rolling hills sprawling from Beachlands to Maraetai, which are covered in – as you could have guessed – monstrous pohutukawa trees.

The Beachlands and Maraetai townships themselves are quaint beachside huddlings of shops and homes. But if you really want to make the most of the area, we recommend exploring by foot or bike on the Beachlands-Maraetai Walkway. The 1.5-hour (in each direction) path skirts the coast between the two townships. You can choose to return along the same path, or catch public transport or taxi back to your start. Terrain varies from paved footpath to wooden bridge, to gravel trail, with views through the pohutukawa out to the Hauraki all the way through.