NORTHLAND: DOUBTLESS BAY

The DOC reserve at Matai Bay is stunning! Golden sand beaches. Crystal clear water. Sheltered.

There are two levels of parking, and plenty of room for large vans.

There are actually two bays,one on each side of a peninsula. The two camping areas provide access to the northern most bay, while there is a public car park the provides direct access to the southern bay.

There is a track across the peninsula, making it easy to walk from one bay to the other.

While it is the most isolated publically accessible area on the Karikari peninsula, it is very popular, and gets quite busy over the summer holiday season.

There is excellent fishing, and Shuping enjoyed fossicking around the rocks for shellfish. We stayed for just the one night, and part of the next day, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

On a clear day it hard to know when to stop taking pictures! These a just a small selection from the ones that we took.

We think the best time to visit is in spring or autumn. It does get pretty crowded over the summer holidays, and also very hot.

The upper campsite overlooking the bay

The southern bay from the public car park

Flowers, rocks and golden sand...