If you’ve seen the 12 Apostles in Australia, these rock formations in New Zealand are kind of like their more secluded, less-crowded cousins. The Three Sisters and Elephant Rock are definitely one of those places that feel like they’re straight out of a nature documentary.

First thing to know is you can only walk out to these unique formations at low tide. If you don’t quite get the timing right, no worries, the car park here is a free freedom campsite, so you can crash for the night in your campervan and catch the tide the next day.

When low tide hits, you’ve got about an hour either side to make your way along the sand towards the ocean. Fair warning, though the sand’s not always super smooth. For a short stretch, it’s slippery clay, so take off your shoes and practice your balance skills. You might also have to wade through a bit of water, but it’s usually ankle to knee-deep. If it’s higher than that, maybe wait for the tide to drop a little more before you head out.

Once you make it out, you’ll first encounter Elephant Rock, which is pretty cool, lots of caves and tunnels to explore. The rock’s shaped like an elephant (from a certain angle and if you blur your eyes a bit ahah), which is how it got its name. Then, head further down the beach and you’ll find the Three Sisters, these big, colorful formations that really pop against the black sand. The contrast of the vibrant rock layers against the dark sand is seriously stunning.

Just keep an eye on the ocean. The tide can come in faster than expected, so always stay alert while you’re out there. It’s a cool adventure, but it can be a bit unpredictable.

Oh, and on a clear day you can see Mount Taranaki in the background which is really cool and makes an incredible photo.