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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -37.88695, 176.76467. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 1 km loop
- Walking time
- 30 min
- Track grade
- Easiest
- Location
- Matatā area
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
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.
This DOC directory entry covers Matatā Lagoon Track in Bay of Plenty, within Matatā area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 1 km loop
- Walking time: 30 min
- DOC grade: Easiest
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The Matatā Lagoon Track takes you on a short loop around the dunes next to the Matatā Wildlife Refuge. The Matatā lagoon is teaming with birdlife since the floods in 2005.
Much of the birdlife of Matatā Lagoon can be observed from the track. The track also gives great views out to the islands of Moutohorā and Whakaari/White Island and views down the East Coast. For those wanting to bird watch there's a shelter to sit in and observe the birdlife. Birdlife includes the elusive Australasian bittern/matuku-hūrepo or Mātātā/Fernbird.
Getting there
Starting in Matatā make your way onto Arawa Street.
On Arawa Street there’s a sign saying Matatā Wildlife refuge and Campground. This sign shows the turn off onto a gravel road that leads towards the shore. Travel down this gravel road for 200 m until the carpark at the start of the track.
The track is also 20 metres from the Matatā Campsite.
Know before you go
Water safety
If you plan to enjoy the water, learn how to stay safe when swimming, boating and fishing.
History and culture
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.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
