Matakana is the North Island’s sweet spot for slow travel—rolling vineyards, golden-sand beaches, and a food scene anchored by a legendary Saturday farmers’ market. Once a 19th‑century milling settlement, it has evolved into a stylish rural escape where artists and winemakers thrive between river valleys and the Pacific.

Just an hour north of Auckland, the Matakana Coast links white-shell Omaha Beach, the protected bird haven of Tawharanui, and the clear waters of Goat Island Marine Reserve. Days flow easily: a sculpture walk before lunch, a swim after, sunset over vines, then a craft beer by the fire.

Practical notes: a car makes this itinerary effortless (small electronic toll ~NZ$2–3 on SH1). Summer (Nov–Apr) brings warm beach weather and long evenings; winter rewards with quiet trails and cozy dining rooms. Pack reef‑safe sunscreen for snorkeling and a light layer for breezy headlands.

Matakana

Matakana shines with small-batch excellence—think Brick Bay’s glasshouse kitchen overlooking a sculpture-dotted vineyard, the Sawmill’s independent brewery, and Sculptureum’s whimsical art gardens. It’s as family-friendly as it is foodie-forward, with boutique cinemas, farm gates, and shallow beaches made for a picnic.

• Top sights: Tawharanui Regional Park, Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, Sculptureum, Omaha Beach, Goat Island Marine Reserve, Ti Point Coastal Walkway, Matakana Village Farmers’ Market (Saturdays).
• Where to eat & drink: Brick Bay Glass House Kitchen (farm-to-table), Rothko at Sculptureum (seasonal NZ), Plume Restaurant at Runner Duck Estate (wine-country lunch), Sawmill Brewery & The Smoko Room (craft beer, wood-fired plates), Matakana Market Kitchen (all-day local fare), Charlie’s Gelato (real-fruit scoops).
• Fun fact: Matakana’s boutique cinema is known for comfy couches and a stellar choc-top selection—perfect for a post-dinner film.

Where to stay: Browse winery cottages, beach houses in Omaha, and riverfront retreats on VRBO Matakana or compare boutique hotels and lodges on Hotels.com Matakana. Aim for a base near Matakana Village (walkable dining), Omaha Beach (sunrise swims), or a vineyard for tranquil nights.

Getting there: Fly into Auckland (AKL) and drive 70–90 minutes north via SH1 and the new Pūhoi–Warkworth motorway. Search flight deals on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. If you prefer public transport, buses reach nearby Warkworth, then it’s a short taxi to Matakana.

Day 1: Arrival, Artful Gardens, and Village Flavors

Morning: Travel to Auckland. If you’re flying in today, book into AKL with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Pick up a rental car; expect ~NZ$50–90/day for a compact. Drive north 70–90 minutes (small toll applies), winding past bush and inlets to Matakana.

Afternoon: Ease in with Sculptureum’s three sculpture gardens and galleries (allow 2–3 hours). The collection ranges from playful to profound, set amid olive trees and vines. Settle into a late lunch at Rothko—seasonal plates like line-caught fish or slow-cooked lamb pair beautifully with Northland wines.

Evening: Stroll Matakana Village: pop into Matakana Market Kitchen for a coffee and something sweet, then catch an early film at Matakana Cinemas (book ahead on weekends). For dinner, the Sawmill Brewery & Smoko Room pours pitch-perfect pale ales and rotating seasonal dishes; share a beer paddle and the wood-grilled squid or market fish. Nightcap back at your stay—stars are vivid here on clear nights.

• Dinner alternatives: Plume Restaurant (Runner Duck Estate) does elegant, produce-led menus with estate wines; Brick Bay’s Glass House Kitchen offers lingering vineyard sunsets.

Day 2: Waiheke Wine Day (Curated Tour) or Matakana Wine & Art Loop

Option A — Full-Day Tour (recommended): Drive to Auckland Ferry Terminal (allow 75–90 minutes), park, and ride the 40-minute ferry to Waiheke’s Matiatia. Join the Waiheke Island Wine Tour with Scenic Vineyards & Tastings for a boutique circuit of three acclaimed vineyards with tastings and a scenic lunch stop. Expect superb island views, cool-climate syrah, chardonnay, and rosé, plus friendly, knowledgeable hosts. Return mid–late afternoon and drive back to Matakana for a casual dinner (fish and chips at Omaha Beach Takeaways or hearty fare at The Smoko Room).

• Timing & notes: Tour duration ~5–6 hours on island; ferries run frequently. Pre-book the earliest departure to maximize time; bring a jacket for breezy terraces.

Option B — Stay Local (no long drive): Start with the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail (2 km, gentle terrain; tickets from ~NZ$20). Lunch at the Glass House Kitchen—garden herbs, house-baked bread, and seasonal produce lead the menu. Spend the afternoon at Sculptureum (if you didn’t go Day 1) or hop between tastings at Runner Duck Wines (with Plume Restaurant) and Omaha Bay Vineyard (hilltop views; check opening days). Sweet finish: Charlie’s Gelato for real‑fruit scoops and sorbet.

• Dinner: Book Rothko for a refined evening, or keep it relaxed with shared plates at Sawmill. If it’s a Saturday, peek at the Leigh Sawmill Café’s gig calendar—great for live music 15 minutes from Matakana.

Day 3: Omaha Sunrise, Goat Island Snorkel, and Tawharanui Trails

Morning: Catch sunrise at Omaha Beach—powdery sand, gentle surf, and a boardwalk alive with birdsong. Grab coffee and a flaky pastry at Point Wells General Store (a locals’ favorite) on your way to Goat Island Marine Reserve (20 minutes). Rent snorkel gear on-site and float above snapper, blue maomao, and shimmering kelp forests; glass-bottom boat tours run in most seasons when seas are calm.

Afternoon: Drive 25 minutes to Tawharanui Regional Park—an open sanctuary reached via a gravel road. Walk the ecology trail or climb to viewpoints above Anchor Bay for sweeping Hauraki Gulf vistas. Picnic on the sand or head back towards Brick Bay for a late, lazy lunch if you skipped it yesterday.

Evening: Aim south for Auckland in time for an afternoon departure. The drive typically takes 70–90 minutes; add buffer for motorway traffic. If you’re staying on another night, consider an early evening ramble along the Ti Point Coastal Walkway (clifftop pohutukawa and sea stacks) before a farewell dinner at Plume.

Where to Eat & Drink (Quick Picks)

• Breakfast & coffee: Matakana Market Kitchen (all-day brunch; order the house corn fritters), Point Wells General Store (excellent espresso, cabinet bakes), Chocolate Brown in nearby Warkworth (coffee plus artisan chocolates).
• Lunch: Brick Bay Glass House Kitchen (seasonal platters, vineyard views), Plume Restaurant (wine country classics; book weekends), Rothko at Sculptureum (thoughtful NZ produce).
• Dinner & drinks: Sawmill Brewery & Smoko Room (craft beer flights and wood-fired plates), Leigh Sawmill Café (pizza and live music on select nights), Omaha Bay Vineyard (platters with outlooks over coast and vines).
• Treats: Charlie’s Gelato (real-fruit ice cream), Matakana Village Butchery pies and market-day snacks (Saturdays only).

Practical Tips

• Market day: The Matakana Village Farmers’ Market runs Saturday mornings—arrive early for hot crepes, oysters in season, small-batch cheeses, and local roasters.
• Beaches & wildlife: Anchor Bay (Tawharanui) is a protected area—no dogs, pack out rubbish, and watch for nesting birds. Snorkelers should bring reef-safe sunscreen and a lightweight rash top.
• Driving & parking: Weekends are popular—park once in the village and walk. Most vineyard eateries recommend reservations, especially Nov–Apr.
• Accommodation: For vineyard cottages and beach houses, compare options on VRBO and Hotels.com.

Optional Add-On (Pre- or Post-Trip)

If you’re padding time in Auckland, a compact city circuit is a great primer before the coast. Consider the half-day 2025 Award Winning: Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour for volcanic lookouts, heritage suburbs, and harbor views—ideal if you arrive early or fly out late.

How to book flights: Compare global options into AKL on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Domestic flights to Auckland typically run 1–1.5 hours from Wellington or Christchurch, often from ~NZ$60–150 one-way in advance.

In three days, you’ll taste the region’s wines, wander world-class sculpture gardens, and swim with curious fish in a protected marine reserve. Matakana rewards unhurried travelers—linger at lunch, follow the tide, and let golden hours stretch across vineyard hills.