See and do

About this area

Maori legend tells us that Kupe, the great Polynesian navigator, made his first landing near Taipa in A.D. 950. In 1769, Captain James Cook sailed past the entrance and recorded in his journal - Doubtless a Bay. From 1831, European whalers, timber workers and immigrants arrived here.

Fishing, sailing, diving and beach activities are the main attractions throughout Doubtless Bay with Matai Bay, Puheke, Rangiputa and Tokerau Beaches on the Karikari Peninsula being a water sports paradise with excellent safe sea bathing.

This is an ideal base while you explore the best of Northland - Karikari Peninsula, Doubtless Bay, Ninety Mile Beach, Hokianga Harbour, Ahipara and Cape Reinga (the northern tip of New Zealand) with shopping, cafes and restaurants including the famous Mangonui Fish Shop, museums, vineyards and golf courses nearby.

Karikari Peninsula

This is a playground for those who just love beaches and is perfect for young families or fishermen. Each beach or bay has its own distinct personality and special character. They vary from sheltered bays with fine white sand, such as Matai Bay and Rangiputa, to rugged rocky coastline with pounding surf. Tokerau Beach is perfect for kite surfing and sand yachting and for wave surfing when the wind and tides are right.

There is boat launching at Tokerau Beach and Rangiputa. You can just relax and soak up the sun in this subtropical paradise or use the kayaks, boogie boards, surf boards andsnorkeling gear which we have available for hire during your stay. Please view our photo gallery.

Play Golf

Carrington Resort and Karikari Estate Winery

This world class golf resort is located on the Karikari peninsula and rests between a private four kilometre white sand beach and the 65 acre mountainside vineyards of the winery. The club's facilities include an 18 hole golf course, dining and lounge facilities, library, tennis courts, swimming pool, billiard room and pro shop. A platter of excellent Northland cuisine is available daily for lunch at the winery.

Whangaroa Golf Club

Located 15 kilometres east of Doubtless Bay on State Highway 10.

Kaitaia Golf Club

Located at Ahipara at the bottom of Ninety Mile Beach.

Go Fishing

Enjoy fishing Doubtless Bay from Mangonui in a fully equipped, safe boat. Catch some of the many species found in this beautiful bay.

Doubtless Bay Charters

Doubtless Bay Sportfishing Club

Go Kite Surfing

Tokerau Beach or Rangiputa Beach are perfect for kite surfing and one of the world's leading schools is based here in summer

Airzone Kitesurfing School

Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga

Best visited by organised tours which depart daily from Kaitaia and Bay of Islands with some picking up at the turn off for the Karikari Peninsula on State Highway 10. Trips are by bus with knowledgeable local drivers. 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, a silica-sand beach and a picnic lunch and swimming stop at delightful Tapotupotu Bay.

Harrisons Cape Runner

Petricevich Dune Rider

Sand Safaris

Ahikaa Adventures

Butler Point Whaling Museum and Historic Homestead

Butler Point is a privately owned 26 hectare property at Hihi - across the harbour from Mangonui. Over the last three decades the proprietors have developed the property into one of the Far North's most fascinating heritage tourism destinations. Captain Butler's House dates back to the 1840s and is furnished in early Colonial and Victorian styles. The Whaling Museum displays a full range of authentic harpoons and a fully-equipped whaleboat as used from the whale ships.

Gumdiggers Park

Discover the history of The Far North and the gum digging revolution that shaped the landscape, the people and the local industries of our past as well as our modern day lives. View the maze of giant gum holes that reveal extraordinary kauri trees from prehistoric times and explore the mystery that caused the destruction of these ancient forests. Situated about 45 kilometres west of Tokerau Beach, off State Highway 1, Gumdiggers Park is a four minute detour off the main route to Cape Reinga.

Matthews Vintage Collection

Located at Aurere, a few kilometres east of Inland Road on State Highway 10, experience a unique opportunity to view a privately-owned collection of vintage cars and machinery used in farming dating back to the early 1900s. Accumulated and restored by an avid vintage enthusiast over the last 40 years and covering over 1100 square metres of display area, there is a wide range of tractors, stationary engines, vintage cars and pioneer farm and domestic equipment.