Doubtless Bay / Karikari Peninsula

With a warm sub-tropical climate, over 70 kilometres of unspoiled coastline, an abundance of safe beaches ranging from Pohutukawa-fringed tranquil white sands to rugged rocky bays – Doubtless Bay is not only a holiday paradise but a wonderful place to live and work.

Considered by many to be the ultimate Northland destination, with something for everyone, the Doubtless Bay area encompasses several seaside townships and the historic Mangonui village, which is home to New Zealand’s best-known fish and chip shop. The area extends from Taupo Bay to the Karikari Peninsula. It includes the settlements of Hihi, Coopers Beach, Cable Bay, Taipa and Whatuwhiwhi.

People from all over the country and the world come to visit this idyllic spot. Locals swim, dive, kayak, sail, water ski, fish, gather shellfish and do nothing but enjoy the scenery. It is also one of the fastest growing coastal areas for those wishing to retire.

Archaeological studies have revealed some of the earliest Maori settlements with Ngati kahu, the local iwi, being predominant in this area.

In 1769, James Cook sailed past the entrance to the area and recorded in his journal “doubtless a bay”, hence the name. At the same time, the French ship St Jean Baptiste of François Marie de Surville was anchored within the bay. Each ship was unaware of the other.

Not long after, European traders, whalers, sealers and missionaries arrived and Mangonui became a thriving port providing supplies, repairs and rest and recreation for the many ships and their crews. Kauri trees grew in abundance and their trunks were sought-after for their length and diameter to serve as spars and masts.

It was a place where many settlers began arriving in the new nation, working the kauri timber and gum fields and farming sheep and cattle. From quaint white churches to grand old homesteads, tiny wooden cottages to Pa sites carved into headlands, the evidence of history is all around.

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Mangonui

Once a bustling whaling and trading port, the scenic historic village centre is now home to some truly exquisite heritage buildings - today housing mainly shops and cafes.

There are numerous businesses, with fine shops selling everything from local arts and crafts, gifts and quality New Zealand gifts and souvenirs to locally-produced food and wine.

There are several waterfront cafes with alfresco dining, historic hotels and the ‘world-famous’ fish shop. Additionally, there is the Information Centre, stationers, Post Office, garage/ petrol station with marine services, several real estate agents and internet facilities. High above the village waterfront is the primary school.

From the Mangonui wharf you can see commercial fishing boats off-loading their catch and you can even try your hand at hooking fish from the docks. Standing on the wharf, it is evident that the agricultural and fishing industries still remain the biggest occupational groups in Mangonui.

Around the corner from Mangonui village is Mill Bay, a painter’s dream with its backdrop of the dominant Rangikapiti Pa, its yacht anchorage and other marine craft. A visit to the Pa will reward you with a panoramic view overlooking Mangonui Harbour on one side and the whole of Doubtless Bay on the other. The public boat ramp at Mill Bay offers the advantages of a pontoon and plenty of parking.

Mangonui is one of the oldest ports in New Zealand, dating from the early 1800s when it was a whaling base, and today remains a port of entry with commercial operators using it as a base.

Early development of New Zealand was essentially driven by coastal shipping, Mangonui remaining an important port for many years and providing the first access to the hinterland. It has since been overtaken by Kaitaia as the regional centre. Many of the pioneering families came to the Far North on a coastal steamer via Mangonui and, as it had the only courthouse in the area; it recorded many of the early marriages (and deaths).

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Cable Bay

This unique pretty beach has pinkish sand making it quite different from any other beach in Doubtless Bay. There is often good surf between the rocky areas. There is plenty of car parking, a children’s playground, a general store, and various types of accommodation. The name Cable Bay comes from the Pacific Telegraph Cable Station (the red route) which operated here between 1902 and 1912, linking Canada, Australia, Norfolk Island and New Zealand.

Coopers Beach

This beach is 2.5 kilometres long, offers safe swimming and is fringed by Pohutukawa trees which offer good shade. It is adjacent to the Coopers Beach shopping centre with a hairdresser, general store, butcher, pharmacy, medical centre, restaurants, children’s playground and the bowling club. It also borders Taumarumaru Department of Conservation Reserve. This reserve includes three defended pa sites and related archaeological features. Every Saturday the shopping centre hosts the local produce market.

Taipa

This pretty spot combines the open ocean and the shelter of the estuary where one can launch a boat, swim, fish, surf or sail.

There are a shops, a bakery, petrol station, licensed restaurant, bars, an Area School, and early childhood facilities. As well as selection of accommodation, with potters, arts and crafts, a cinema and museums of interest close by.

Hihi

Breath-taking at sunset, on a peninsula that wraps around Mangonui Harbour, Hihi has both a sheltered side and open ocean on the other side. Here you will find Butler House and Whaling Museum. Butler Point is a privately owned 26 hectare property which has been developed into a macadamia orchard and one of the Far North’s most fascinating heritage tourism destinations.

Butler Point is notable for its association with the early history of the Far North. On the property is a Whaling Museum, acknowledged as one of the most comprehensive private museums of its kind in New Zealand.

Also on the property is Butler House, the residence of Captain William Butler, built in 1847 and gardens of exotic and native flora, including extensive stands of ancient pohutukawa trees. The Whaling Museum is a member of the Northland Museums’ Association and Butler House is recognised by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a nationally significant heritage building.

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Karikari Peninsula

Situated to the west of Doubtless Bay is the Karikari Peninsula, a long narrow piece of land, lined with beautiful beaches and bays, which reaches out into the Pacific Ocean.

The Karikari Peninsula is home to Carrington Farms. Set amidst 3000 acres, Carrington Farms consists of a number of businesses which include a luxury lodge and villa accommodation, an international tournament golf course, 101 acre vineyard, state of the art winery and a 300-head Black Angus stud farm. These cohesive long term businesses have injected millions of dollars into the local community and now provide direct employment to approximately 60 local people working in all aspects of the business. This major private investment has created a wonderful tourist destination which is attracting both domestic and international customers to the region.

Carrington Farms’ facilities include the Carrington Club, an ocean side, tournament-quality, 18-hole golf course, designed by Matt Dye, which offers clay target shooting range and, tennis courts and a heated infinity swimming pool and spa looking out over the Pacific Ocean, 4 kilometres of pristine white sand beach and the hillside vineyards of the Karikari Estate Vineyard and Winery. Carrington Club also offers fine dining and lounge facilities, a library, billiard room, a guest lodge and pro shop while Karikari Estate offers winery tours and tastings.

The sweeping ocean vistas provide a spectacular back drop to the farm’s activities. The farm rests between 4 kilometres of white sandy beach, 900 acres of restored wetlands and the hillside vineyards of New Zealand’s northern-most winery. Carrington Farms uses breeding stock from Australia, New Zealand and the USA to breed some of the best Black Angus bulls available in New Zealand. Carrington Farms is actively involved in programmes designed to ecologically preserve the beach and wetlands and to enhance the bird life of both the dunes and wetlands area.

Whatuwhiwhi

This beach is a lovely safe family beach and other beaches on the peninsula are within minutes away. There is a holiday park, a selection of accommodation, a world-class golf course and vineyard. The elevated land in and around Whatuwhiwhi offers spectacular views overlooking Doubtless Bay to Mangonui and on the other side Karikari to Houhora Heads.

Situated on the main road into Whatuwhiwhi is Lake Ohia where an old grapevine planted just half a kilometre from the present vineyard, in the vicinity of old gum diggings, is one of the surviving remnants of the Dalmatian gum diggers.

Matai Bay

Matai Bay is one of the Far North’s pure gems, consisting of two crescent-shaped coves looking out to the Pacific Ocean. There is a Department of Conservation camping ground popular with fishermen and holidaymakers for its safe bathing. It is very scenic, with fine sand excellent for swimming and, being crescent shaped, there is always a sheltered end.

Rangiputa

This is a small picturesque settlement which looks on to the Rangaunu Harbour with its white sands and clear blue waters. There are two motels and a small shop.

Puheke Beach

This is an unspoilt piece of paradise with a fabulous soft sandy beach and beautiful coastline. You can climb Mt. Puheke for a superb view of Rangaunu Bay, Cape Karikari and Maturoa Island.

Tokerau Beach

This is the longest beach on the peninsula, stretching for 18 kilometres, around the bay from Whatuwhiwhi to Aurere. It is a surfcaster’s paradise. Tokerau itself has a small beach settlement and a camping ground.