Matarangi Bluff Walk/Rings Beach Loop

This area has three access spots: two from near Rings Beach and one from Matarangi. There are tracks with regenerating native bush, a wetland, and great views overlooking Matarangi.

• track category: Easy
  
• track length: from 5- to 10-km return
• walking time: from 2 to 3 hr
• track start location: see map below
• km from town: 25km

Track Description: Bluff Rd/Goldfields Dr, Matarangi or 100 Bluff Rd, Kuaotunu West; 35 min/25km east of town (dogs okay on leash) – 2-hr/5-km return on the shorter loop, 3-hr/7-km return if taking the wetland track. Kiwis live in the area so it’s imperative to keep dogs on leashes.

This area has three access spots: two from near Rings Beach and one from Matarangi. The shorter walk also has a side track to a cell phone tower and walking to the right of, and behind, the enclosure will take you to another lookout spot.

There are tracks with regenerating native bush, a wetland, and great views overlooking Matarangi. Be careful to stay on the track due to abandoned mine shafts hidden in some sections.

Rings Beach is west of Kuaotunu (between Kuaotunu and Matarangi). Vehicle access is on Bluff Rd East in Kuaotunu West, where you can park at the reserve or further along the road. Due to rockfalls, Bluff Rd is closed to vehicle traffic past Rings Beach, but access on foot is permitted. 

Parking in Matarangi is in the carpark by the beach at the west end of Bluff Rd, or where the track starts near Goldfields Dr.

A longer, 3-hr/10-km walk can be made by parking at Blackjack Reserve in Kuaotunu village, walking the beach, then getting onto the road, accessing the second track past Rings Beach, and returning via Bluff Rd.

The second track access point (about 500m past Seavill Park Rd) will take you to the longer wetland track. Continuing another kilometre to the reserve at 220 Bluff Rd will get you near a bridge and the second, and shorter, track access point.

Toilets are in Matarangi Beach Reserve at the end of Kenwood Dr and in Kuaotunu Village.

click any image to view slideshow