The Matatā area sits alongside the sea. It includes a campsite and a short walk around the Matatā wildlife refuge. Great for families, with excellent fishing and swimming.
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Matatā area
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This track is a short walk around Matatā Wildlife refuge. There’s a lot of birdlife here and great views to the islands of Moutohorā Island and Whakaari/White Island and down the East Coast.
Duration:30 min
Difficulty:Easiest
Camping
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This is a family campsite in a coastal setting with excellent fishing and swimming next to the Matatā wildlife refuge. No dogs are allowed.
Category:Standard
Access:Campervan, Car, Caravan
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Bird and wildlife watching
For those wanting to bird watch head to the Matatā Wildlife refuge. There's a shelter to sit in and observe the birdlife. Birdlife includes the elusive Australasian bittern/matuku-hūrepo or fernbird/Mātātā, you'll also see swans, geese and oystercatchers.
Matatā is on the coast of the Bay of Plenty, 24 km west of Whakatane, or 70 km from Tauranga.
Matatā means "dividing waters". Before the Rangitaiki Plains were drained the Rangitaiki River ran into the Tarawera River, and originally the area was known as Te Awa o Te Atua, or the River of the Gods.