Matarangi is a lovely little tourist town on the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand's North Island. This popular retreat - primely situated on a white-sand spit between Mercury Bay and Whangapoua Harbour - offers some excellent activities in highly relaxing surrounds. The centre of the action is the five-kilometre Matarangi Beach, with soft sands and safe swimming all year round. The beach is also the starting-point for the lovely Wetlands Walk, which circuits back via Rings Beach, a prime area for surf-casting. The Dunes Golf Resort is not only a hugely popular links, but the onsite Restaurant offers true fine-dining experiences. Finally, don’t miss out on a day trip to New Chum Beach (20 minutes away), which can only be accessed at low tide and features a fantastic walk to an early Maori fortification on the shoreline.