Hot Water Beach, Coromandel

At this beach on the east coast of the Coromandel, hot water from underground springs bubbles up through the sand. For about two hours either side of low tide, you can dig a hole in the sand near the rocks and make your own natural hot pool, some hot enough to burn.

Check the low-tide times and hire a spade from the café or shop by the car park. It gets very crowded in summer. Don't swim in the sea: the rips here are very strong and dangerous.

It's about 10 minutes' drive from Hahei and Cathedral Cove, so you can easily do both in a day.