Image: DOC
Wooden seat and view from Rings Beach Loop Track
Rings Beach Loop Track

Located in Whangapoua and Matarangi area in the Coromandel region

Enjoy the spectacular views as you wind through the regenerating forest and wetlands between Matarangi and Rings Beach.

From the Matarangi side, the Rings Beach Loop Track begins at the saddle between Matarangi and Rings Beach. Follow the Matarangi Bluff Track and then turn to head uphill to the south – the turnoff is signposted.

The track ends at the eastern end of Rings Beach. You can complete the loop by following the old Bluff Road back to the start of the track.

The 2.5–3 hour walk will take you through regenerating bush and wetlands with great lookouts on the way.

The track is marked with orange triangles. It is well defined and passes through regenerating native forest, pine forest, and wetlands. It has some stair sections and narrow crossings through the wetlands.

About half way through the walk, you can choose to walk on wide wooden planks and cut across the wetland or take the wetland loop to go around it (20 minutes). The wetland loop is a small detour but gives you a chance to spot fernbirds.

Access to the track is from the end of Goldfields Drive in Matarangi, or from the eastern end of Rings Beach. There is parking on both sides.
  • Kauri trees are present in the area. Please use the cleaning stations at track entrances to prevent the spread of kauri dieback.
  • The scenic Bluff Road skirting the coast between Matarangi and Kūaotunu is permanently closed to vehicle traffic due to a dangerous, collapsed cliff. Rings Beach is accessible by car from Kūaotunu at the eastern end of Bluff Road.
  • There are no public toilets at Rings Beach or along the track.
  • Dogs are not allowed off the lead on any of the tracks.

Nestled in the hills between Matarangi and Kūaotunu, the track was conceived by retired residents in 2010. Built entirely by volunteer labour, residents wanted to provide a recreational area with an educational element for the community.

The area has been enhanced with a native tree planting program since 2010 in cooperation with local schools. Over 4,000 trees were planted by 2016.

Wilding pines have been eliminated from 37 ha of the wetland area. Suitable native trees have been planted to attract birds into the growing forest. Trapping of stoats, possums, rats and mice has allowed a remnant population of the endangered fernbird/mātātā to expand dramatically.

The fernbirds live in a 4.5 ha pristine and unmodified wetland in a valley halfway along Rings Beach Loop Track. This area has become the focus for planting and trapping.

There is growing evidence of kiwi in the reserve and kiwi calls have been recorded in recent years.

The Matarangi Bluff reserve was the site of forestry, mining and, until 1955, farming by the annual burn-off method. Forest regrowth started after that year and native trees were slow to establish, birdlife had been under threat and wilding pines dominated the landscape. However the community effort to control predators and plant trees is helping bring the forest and wildlife back.