Matarangi

Matarangi lies on a peninsula: Whangapoua Harbour is on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. This distinctive setting shapes the town and makes the coast the centrepiece of a stay. Matarangi Beach is 4.5 km long and faces north. If you are weighing up beach visits, walks, golf or boating for your trip, Matarangi offers a range of options to consider when planning your holiday.

Coast and walking tracks in Matarangi

At Matarangi Beach, you can swim, windsurf and fish. Along with the beach’s length and north-facing aspect, these details give a clear picture of this stretch of coast, without limiting your stay to a single activity. You can make the beach the focus of your trip or combine it with a walk and other interests.

The Matarangi Beach and Spit Walk is an easy 4 km walk, taking 45 minutes. This makes it easy to include as a standalone walk in your day’s plans. Another option is the Matarangi Bluff Track, which connects Matarangi with Rings Beach and takes 15 to 20 minutes to walk from Matarangi to Rings Beach. The track offers views of Matarangi, Kūaotunu and the Coromandel Peninsula. The two track descriptions differ in length and walking time, so you can plan according to the distance you prefer.

Golf and boating

Golf is also on offer in Matarangi. The Dunes Golf Course is located in the Matarangi beach settlement and has an 18-hole golf course originally designed by Bob Charles. The course is open year-round and welcomes members, visiting players and groups. If golf is an important part of your trip, you can take this into account when choosing your holiday destination.

For boating, there is the Matarangi Boat Ramp on Harbour Drive. It consists of a large concrete ramp with three lanes and a central floating pontoon. The ramp can be used at all stages of the tide. If you are planning boat trips, you can take the ramp into account when choosing your holiday destination.

Nature and choosing a holiday destination

Matarangi is also an important breeding area for the endangered New Zealand dotterel. Nature is therefore one of the town’s defining features, alongside the beach and sporting activities. When looking for a holiday apartment or house, you can first consider whether you want to choose Matarangi mainly for its beach, walking tracks, golf course or boating.

Whangapoua may also be of interest as you explore the area: the town is a 15-minute drive from Matarangi and is considered a gateway to New Chums Beach. Other places to discover include Opito Bay, Colville, Opoutere, Coromandel, Tairua, Whenuakite, Kuaotunu and Hot Water Beach.

For the broader travel overview: Thames-Coromandel District.