Doubtless Bay is a gorgeous bay located on the east coast of the Northland Region in New Zealand, just northeast of Kaitaia. The bay is a perfect destination for beach lovers, offering a range of beautiful beaches such as Tokerau Beach, Taipa, Cable Bay, Coopers Beach, and Mangonui Harbor. You’ll also find rocky headlands that add to the bay’s charm. So, if you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, add Doubtless Bay to your must-visit places!
We were so excited to arrive in Auckland and begin our one-week road trip to the far north! When we arrived in Doubtless Bay, we found the perfect cozy Airbnb that exceeded our expectations. The view from our rental was absolutely breathtaking and put us in the mood to explore the area.
Every morning, we woke up to the sound of waves lapping against the shore, which was so calming and peaceful. We would start planning our day, taking into account the weather, which can be unpredictable in this part of the world. During our adventure, we visited some incredible destinations like Russell, Cape Reinga, Ninety Mile Beach, Kerikeri Mission Station, Te Paki Sand Dunes, Bay-of Islands Vintage Railway, Kawakawa, Opononi Sand Dunes, and the Gumdiggers and ancient forest.
Doubtless Bay has several beaches, each with its own charm. The water is crystal clear, and the sand is a luxurious caramel and white color. There’s so much marine life to explore, and we enjoyed activities like fishing, sailing, swimming, and snorkeling.
Doubtless Bay Town
The town of Doubtless Bay is enchanting, and the locals were so friendly and welcoming.
We had so many options for delicious food, fun shops, and relaxing places to unwind.
Whether we wanted to indulge in a tasty meal or just soak up the beauty around us, there was always something to do.
The Courthouse
The historic courthouse overlooking Mangonui Harbor was built in 1892-93 as the second courthouse in the settlement.
It has a simple Victorian design, built of Kauri timbers. Although it functioned as a courthouse until 1948, the court proceedings were moved to Kaitaia, where it was used as a police station from 1949 to 1975.
1976, the Mangonui Courthouse Prevention Society was formed to restore the building. The Society raised funds for the restoration, which local volunteers carried out. In 1980, the property was gazetted as a historic reserve.
Today, the building is used as an art gallery.
Post Office
The Mangonui Post Office was first established in 1876, a year before the telegraph was introduced to the area. As the Northern Steamship Company began providing regular services to the Far North by 1881, the business activity in the region increased, prompting the construction of a larger post office in 1904.
This new post office also had accommodations for the postmaster. In 1911, a telephone exchange was added, and it connected 15 subscribers. Over the years, the number of staff grew to 10 but declined sharply when the exchange became automatic in 1983. Finally, the Mangonui Post Office was closed in May 1989. But the good news is that it was transformed into a beautiful restaurant venue you can enjoy today!
Mangonui Hotel
The Mangonui Hotel, also known as the New Settlers Hotel, was the last of four hotels established in Mangonui over a period of sixty-three years. It was constructed in 1905-06 by John Bray, who was then the owner of the Old Oak Hotel located at the southern end of the village.
The first hotel in Mangonui, called the “Donnybrook,” was built in Mill Bay in 1842 and was the town’s first All Nations hotel. Unfortunately, it burned down in 1873 and was later replaced by another hotel, which was eventually demolished in 1906. The Mangonui Hotel Building is a two-story structure that has been recognized by the Historic Places Trust of New Zealand as the most beautiful old hotel in the country. It has been rated as a category-one building by the Trust.
Mangonui first
Some History of Doubtless Bay
New Zealand has a rich history, and Māori tradition tells us that Kupe was the first person to arrive in the country in 900 AD. His canoe landed in Doubtless Bay at Taipa, and there is a monument in Taipa that commemorates his landing.
The Ngāti Kahu tribe established many early Māori settlements near the northern end of the Karikari Peninsula. They have twenty-one Marae (meeting grounds) in the Doubtless Bay area.
Did you know that in Mangonui, a shark guided the Ruakaramea canoe into the harbor? The chief, Moehuri, named the harbor ‘Mangonui,’ which means ‘large shark.’ This area has supported local Māori for over a thousand years with its abundance of native species.
1769 Captain James Cook named Doubtless Bay while sailing on the Endeavour. A week later, the French ship St Jean Baptiste anchored there during a storm. A ship’s anchor from that incident is now on display at Te Ahu Museum in Kaitaia.
1792 Captain Eber Bunker arrived in Doubtless Bay on the William and Ann, becoming the first American whaler in New Zealand. Whaling ships later visited Mangonui, where an English whaler named Captain William Butler settled in 1838. Nearly 500 whaling ships arrived in Mangonui between 1833 and 1894, with up to thirty vessels operating at once.