Things to do from Armillary Cottage: Bed and breakfast holiday accommodation with en-suite cottage for two at Mangonui Doubtless Bay Northland Far North New Zealand nz

View over Mangonui Harbour

Things to do


About Doubtless Bay
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.
	Historic Mangonui village is situated on the edge of Mangonui harbour. Once a bustling whaling and trading port, many of the historic buildings today house restaurants, cafes, post office and gift shops. Fine dining is available at The Galley Restaurant and Waterfront Cafe. The famous Mangonui Fish Shop offers some of the best fish and chips in the country.
Around the corner from Mangonui harbour is Mill Bay, an artist's dream with its backdrop of the dominating Rangikapiti Pa, its yachts and boats of all kinds. At Coopers Beach and Taipa, there is dining at Coopers Cafe and shops of all kinds, take-away food, plus a medical centre and pharmacy.

There are many attractions in Doubtless Bay or within a short drive of Mangonui. Here are just a few (you can find out more at Doubtless Bay Online)

Attractions and Activities in Doubtless Bay

	Karikari Peninsula This is the playground for those who just love beaches and is perfect for young families or fishermen. Starting just 15 kilometres west of Mangonui, each beach or bay has its own distinct personality and special character. These vary from sheltered bays with fine white sand, such as Matai Bay, to rugged rocky coastline with pounding surf. Relax and soak up the sun in this subtropical paradise.

Carrington Club 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 & lounge facilities, library, tennis courts, swimming pool, billiard room, & pro shop.	Ph: 09 408 7222 Fax: 09 408 7414

Butler Point New Zealand Ph/Fax: 09 406 0006	Butler Point Whaling Museum Butler Point is a privately owned 26 hectare property at Hihi - just across the harbour from Mangonui. Over the last three decades the proprietors have developed the property into a macadamia orchard and one of the Far North's most fascinating heritage tourism destinations. Butler 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.

Matthews Vintage Collection Located a few kilometres west of Taipa, off 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 1900’s. Accumulated and restored by an avid vintage enthusiast over the last 40 years, 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.	Ph: 09 406 0939

Play Golf	Whangaroa Golf Club located 15 kilometres east of Mangonui on State Highway 10. Ph: 09 405 1808 Carrington Club Karikari Peninsula Ph: 09 408 7222 Fax: 09 408 7414

Mangonui Heritage Trail Beginning and ending at the Mangonui courthouse, the Mangonui Heritage Trail provides a glimpse of the great wealth of Maori and European history associated with this area. The Trail is three kilometres in length and accessible by foot or vehicle. The average time taken to walk the trail is one and a half hours. Walkers are advised to take the St. Andrew's walkway up to the church and enjoy the spectacular views from above Mangonui's waterfront. And you can always break off for an eponymous meal at the world-famous Mangonui Fish & Chip Shop.	Pick up a map from Doubtless Bay Information Centre Beach Road Mangonui Ph/Fax: 09 406 2046 Email: mangonui.info@actrix.co.nz

Ph/Fax: 09 408 3336	Go Diving A to Z Diving Diving and snorkelling in Doubtless Bay is superb and under-rated. The local skippers know the top spots and can take you to them. Collect mussels, scallops and, of course, crayfish. A to Z Diving based at Whatuwhiwhi on the Karikari Peninsular is the place to go for all your diving needs - scuba training, gear hire, trips, etc.

Swamp Palace Cinema Visit the Swamp Palace, the tiny cinema of some 68 seats, which shows up to date movies four nights a week, plus matinees. Only the "better" movies are shown, with no advertisements, and a great, personal introduction by Richard, who runs the place, a converted building hauled inland from Cable Bay to Oruru, about eight kilometres south west of Taipa.	Ph: 09 408 7040

	Go Sailing Enjoy sailing the beautiful Northland coast and harbours from Mill Bay at Mangonui on the 42-foot yacht Mr Roosevelt or the 44-foot Hinemoana II. Laze around in idyllic bays or learn sailing skills, swim, snorkel and explore. Teddy Bear Sailing Charters Ph : 09 406 1554 Mill Bay Haven Sailing Charters Ph : 09 406 1113

Go Swimming or surfing Coopers Beach is a great expanse of unspoiled fine sand backed by rows of beautiful Pohutukawa trees and Cable Bay has a beautiful pink-coral beach with rock pools and small lagoon. Rangiputa and Matai Bay on the Karikari peninsula have sheltered fine white sand beaches. Tokerau beach and Taipa beach are favourites with the surfies when the conditions are right.
	Go Fishing Enjoy fishing Doubtless Bay from Mill Bay and Mangonui in fully equipped, safe boats. Catch some of the many species found in this beautiful bay. Pisces Charters Ph: 09 406 1234 Castaway Boating Ph: 09 406 1103


Attractions and Activities further afield

Paradise Connexion Tours depart daily from Doubtless Bay with pick up from your accommodation. Trips are either by 4WD Landcruiser or small 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, silica-sand beach and a picnic lunch and swimming stop at delightful Tapotupotu Bay. If you are feeling energetic, you can toboggan the enormous sand dunes and collect Tuatua for your dinner.	Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga Ph/Fax: 09 408 7202

Ph/Fax: 09 406 7172	Ancient Kauri Kingdom Located about 30 kilometres west of Mangonui on State Highway 1 at Awanui, the Ancient Kauri Kingdom displays hand-crafted furniture, art, crafts and gifts from the oldest workable timber in the world. See the amazing centrepiece in the shop - a staircase carved within a 140 ton log. Independent radiocarbon dating confirms that this tree had lain in a swamp for 45,000 - 50,000 years.

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 northwest of Mangonui, off State Highway 1, Gumdiggers Park is a four minute detour off the main route to Cape Reinga.	Ph: 09 406 7166

	Potteries There are two interesting potteries that can be visited; located about 15kms. inland from Taipa at Fern Flat. Shepherd Road Pottery Tel: 09 408 5532 Fern Flat Pottery Tel: 09 408 5548

Millennium Nocturnal Park Located at Fairburn, about 24 kilometres south west of Taipa, by day enjoy a scenic walk through natural bush which surrounds a meandering stream and unusual rock formations. Observe Kiwis in the undisturbed night-like environment of the Nocturnal House and, by night, see an extensive and dramatic display of glowworms in a spectacular grotto above the stream.	Ph: 09 408 4100 Fax: 09 408 4136

Blue Sky Scenics Ph: 09 406 7320	Blue Sky Scenic Flights Experience New Zealand's most beautiful and untouched coastline by taking a flight with Blue Sky Scenics. Part of the Kaitaia Aero Club, they are located at Kaitaia Airport, 30 kilometres west of Mangonui. See the beautiful areas of Ninety Mile Beach, Cape Reinga, North Cape, Great Exhibition Bay, Karikari Peninsula, Doubtless Bay and the Hokianga.