In Matata, travel interests extend beyond the beach: the short Matatā Lagoon Track is a loop through the dunes beside the Matatā Wildlife Refuge, while the lagoon is known for its wildlife habitat and cultural significance. There are also beach activities and a layered history. You can choose what to focus on in Matata based on your trip: the coast and birdwatching, a short walk, or insights into the cultural background of the area.

Track, campsite and access

Access to the Matatā Lagoon Track starts on Arawa Street in Matata. From there, a 200-metre gravel road leads to the car park at the trailhead. Matatā Campsite can also be reached from Arawa Street via a 200-metre gravel road. It is a family-friendly coastal campsite next to the Matatā Wildlife Refuge. Check the current official access information before setting out; road conditions can change.

Lagoon, dunes and birdwatching

The Matatā Lagoon Track is a short loop through the dunes beside the Matatā Wildlife Refuge. There is a birdwatching shelter on the track; check whether it is in usable condition before visiting. Matata Lagoon is recognised as an area of special wildlife interest and is highly significant as a wildlife habitat.

Beach and views

Surfcasting and swimming are possible at Matatā Beach. If you plan to swim, check the local conditions. From Matata, there are views of Moutohorā, Whakaari/White Island and along the East Coast. The practical distinction when choosing what to focus on is that the track is a short loop with birdwatching and dune scenery, while the beach is centred on swimming and surfcasting.

Cultural history and Kohika Pā

Te Awa o Te Atua (Matata Lagoon) is a place of great cultural and ecological significance. The lagoon shapes the community’s and Mana Whenua’s connection to their Rohe. The Matata area was originally known as Te Awa o Te Atua, meaning “river of the gods”. The lagoon’s name and significance add a cultural dimension to a trip, alongside the coast and nature observation.

Kohika Pā is another part of the area’s history. The site is a swamp pā with preserved wooden artefacts and archaeological structures such as house floors, pits, posthole patterns and a burial. It was probably occupied 300 to 400 years ago. Kohika Pā is privately owned and not open to the public, so do not plan to visit it as a sightseeing stop. Preserved wooden artefacts are rare in the wider region; no comparable site is known in the Rangitāiki Plains or Bay of Plenty.

Matata in the Whakatane District

The wider Whakatane District destination includes more than 50 kilometres of coastline. The fertile Rangitāiki Plains are a growing area for kiwifruit, olives, citrus fruit, avocados and a wide variety of berries. This regional perspective complements, without replacing, Matata’s own lagoon, dunes and beach themes.

Discover more destinations: Edgecumbe, Minginui, Nukuhou, Awakeri, Murupara, Ohope, Whakatane, Taneatua

For the wider travel overview: Whakatane District.