See and do
Mangonui is the centre of the Doubtless Bay area which has a warm sub-tropical climate, over 70 kms of unspoiled coastline and an abundance of safe beaches. Doubtless Bay is a holiday paradise and an ideal base for a holiday in the north of New Zealand.
A great wealth of Maori and European history is associated with this area. The Mangonui Heritage Trail provides a glimpse of this past over its 3km length. Mangonui Motel is located next to St Andrew's Church (No.8 on the Heritage Trail) high above the Mangonui waterfront and offering a magnificent view of the entire harbour.
See our recommendations for local attractions and day trips. Our best recommendation is to relax on your patio or balcony and watch dolphin and orca pods, schools of kahawai and other fish, charter and commercial fishing vessels passing through our waters and the twilight races of the Mangonui Cruising Club.
Things to see
- Visit our local wineries at Kaitaia - Okahu Estate and, on the Karikari Peninsula - Karikari Estate Vineyard & Winery and the many wineries around Kerikeri in Bay of Islands. See Northland Wine Trail.
- Visit Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach - see our day trip suggestion below.
- Visit Butler Point Whaling Museum, 1840s House and Gardens at Hihi.
- Explore historic Mangonui.
- Visit Kauri Unearthed at Awanui.
- Visit Matthews Vintage Collection (Tractors & Machinery) at Aurere.
- Visit Fern Flat Pottery.
- Visit the numerous arts and crafts outlets with their Maori weaving, fabrics, pottery and swamp Kauri.
Things to do
- Take a fishing charter with Doubtless Bay Charters or just fish from Mangonui wharf.
- Eat fish and chips at the "World Famous in New Zealand" Mangonui Fish Shop - fish straight off the fishing boats.
- Dine out at the numerous other restaurants and cafes.
- Gather shellfish at Coopers Beach and Taipa or simply enjoy bathing on Coopers Beach, Cable Bay, Taipa Beach or any of the beaches of the Karikari Peninsula including the iconic Matai Bay.
- Play golf at world-class Carrington Resort or Kauri Cliffs or at our local Whangaroa Golf Club.
- Climb Rangikapiti Pa and marvel at the view.
- Relax with a massage at Doubtless Beauty Retreat or The Essentials.
Suggested Day Trip
NINETY MILE BEACH AND CAPE REINGA
We recommend tours which depart daily from Mangonui and include lunch and sometimes Gumdiggers Park. See us for your bookings. (Note: a lot of visitors do the trip from The Bay of Islands - an additional 3 hours and a long day. Stay at Mangonui Motel and make it an event, not a marathon) The tour includes a drive along Ninety Mile Beach and the Te Paki quicksand stream, a visit to the Cape Reinga lighthouse and the often turbulent confluence of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea - all with knowledgeable commentary from your local driver. Collect tuatuas for your dinner, swim at Tapotupotu Bay, your delightful picnic spot near the top of New Zealand. Feeling energetic? Then grab a toboggan and try the enormous sand dunes at Te Paki Stream.
