North of Auckland, Matakana has the feel of an artist’s village wrapped in vines and surf. Once a sleepy farming settlement, it’s now a beloved weekend escape known for its Saturday farmers’ market, boutique wineries, and the Sculptureum and Brick Bay sculpture trails. With coastal sanctuaries, marine reserves, and golden beaches minutes apart, it’s an easy place to slow down—and a delightful base for day trips.

Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngāti Whātua have deep roots in this region, where estuaries fed by kauri forests meet the Pacific. Today, Tāwharanui Regional Park protects rare birdlife, Goat Island Marine Reserve nurtures thriving kelp forests, and Omaha’s long arc of sand pulls walkers at every tide. Matakana excels in the good-life trifecta: fresh produce, well-made wine, and art you can wander through.

Practical notes: A rental car is essential for this itinerary; New Zealand driving is on the left. Summer (December–March) is peak—book wineries and the Sculptureum in advance and expect market-day crowds on Saturdays. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a light rain layer, and water shoes for rockpools. You’ll find reliable mobile coverage in towns; a bit less on remote headlands.

Matakana

Matakana is compact, creative, and happily food-obsessed. Begin in Matakana Village—laneways of boutiques, coffee windows, and the beloved Matakana Village Farmers’ Market (Saturdays), where growers sell hot mussel fritters, wood-fired breads, and honey from local hives.

Art here is outdoors as much as indoors. The Sculptureum presents galleries and whimsical sculpture gardens, while Brick Bay Wines & Sculpture Trail pairs a vineyard walk with lunch at the Glass House Kitchen overlooking a lake studded with installations.

Nature is the headline. Tāwharanui Regional Park offers coastal tracks through native bush to white-sand coves inside a predator-proof sanctuary; Goat Island Marine Reserve at Leigh is New Zealand’s original marine reserve, perfect for snorkelling or a glass-bottom boat ride; Omaha Beach stretches for kilometers of firm, blonde sand.

• Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Matakana stays • Hotels.com Matakana hotels
• Getting there: Fly into Auckland (AKL), then drive ~1–1.5 hours to Matakana. Compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Budget ~NZD 25–35 each way in fuel between Auckland and Matakana; toll-free routes are available.
• Tastes to try: Matakana oysters, locally roasted coffee (Third Wheel), seasonal salads and fish at The Farmer’s Daughter, wood-fired pizza and seasonal plates at Plume Restaurant, and small-batch brews at Sawmill Brewery’s Smoko Room.

Day 1: Arrival in Auckland, settle into Matakana

Afternoon: Arrive AKL, pick up your car, and drive to Matakana (approx. 75–90 minutes). Check into your accommodation near the village so you can walk to dinner. Stretch your legs along the river path or browse the Matakana Village boutiques and Matakana Cinemas’ retro lobby.

Evening: Early dinner at Matakana Village Pub (classic fish and chips, seasonal pies, local taps) or Plume Restaurant (wine-country dining: duck leg, market fish, and estate wines). For a nightcap, the Smoko Room at Sawmill Brewery pours fresh pale ales and porters; pair with wood-fired cauliflower or smoked kahawai dip.

Day 2: Market morning, art and wine afternoon

Morning: If it’s Saturday, graze the Matakana Village Farmers’ Market: mussel fritters, Hungarian lángos, buttery pastries, seasonal fruit, and live music. Any day, start at Third Wheel Coffee Co. for a flat white and a bacon-and-egg brioche or granola with local honey. Stroll the village boardwalks and small galleries.

Afternoon: Walk the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail (2 km loop; plan 60–90 minutes). Lunch at the Glass House Kitchen—snapper crudo, wood-fired breads, or a halloumi and beetroot salad, matched with Brick Bay pinot gris or rosé. Then head to the Sculptureum for gallery wandering and garden paths where flamingos, shells, and quirky works mingle with native plantings.

Evening: Dinner at Rothko (Sculptureum) if you’re still on-site—think line-caught fish, market vegetables, and NZ cheeses—or back in town at Matakana Market Kitchen for slow-braised lamb shoulder and panna cotta. Gelato nightcap at Charlie’s Gelato; pistachio and feijoa are local favorites.

Day 3: Tāwharanui sanctuary and Omaha Beach

Morning: Brunch at The Farmer’s Daughter on Omaha Flats Road—garden-fresh plates, house-made pickles, and great kids’ options. Continue to Tāwharanui Regional Park (20–30 min). Walk the Fisherman’s Track or South Coast Track for sweeping cliff views; keep an eye out for takahē, dotterels, and tui. Bring togs for a quick swim in the sheltered coves.

Afternoon: Beach time on Omaha Beach. Rent a board from local outfitters or simply stroll the firm, flat sand to the northern rocks. Coffee at Omaha Bay kiosk or return to Matakana for a sweet treat at Charlie’s.

Evening: Casual dinner at the Smoko Room at Sawmill Brewery—kitchen plates are designed for sharing, from wood-roast kumara to charred octopus. If you’re up for it, catch a film at boutique Matakana Cinemas with a glass of pinot and warm choc-chip cookies.

Day 4: Coast and marine life—Leigh, Goat Island, and Puhoi (or choose the Bay of Islands cruise)

Morning: Easy breakfast at Matakana Market Kitchen (seasonal eggs, good coffee), then drive to Goat Island Marine Reserve (25–30 min). Snorkel among blue maomao and snapper; hire gear in Leigh (~NZD 30–40). If you prefer to stay dry, take the glass-bottom boat (weather dependent).

Afternoon: Lunch at Leigh Eats—legendary pies, fresh sandwiches, and slices. Drive the coastal loop via Matheson Bay (quick swim) and Whangateau to Puhoi. Pop into the Puhoi Valley for a cheese board or the historic Puhoi Pub for a ginger beer.

Evening: Back in Matakana, book a table at The Stables for wood-fired steaks and seasonal veg, or go simple with takeaway fish and chips at Snells Beach Fish Shop and a sunset picnic at Snells Beach.

Alternative full-day option: Drive ~2.5 hours north to Paihia for the Bay of Islands and join this cruise (allow a very early start): Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour - with two island stopovers (4.5 hours, typically NZD 150–180 per adult).

Expect dolphins, snorkeling, short island hikes, and emerald bays. Return to Matakana for a late bite at the pub.

Day 5: Auckland city day trip + guided highlights

Morning: Drive to central Auckland (~60–75 min; weekday rush adds time). Join the small-group 2025 Award Winning: Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour to get your bearings—Auckland Domain, Parnell, Mission Bay, Tamaki Drive, and lookouts with harbor panoramas.

Afternoon: Lunch near Britomart—try handmade pasta and sourdough at a modern Italian spot, or oysters and snapper sliders at a seafood grill. Browse Commercial Bay boutiques, then head up to Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki or stroll leafy Albert Park.

Evening: Early dinner on Ponsonby Road (bistros, tapas, and excellent gelato). Drive back to Matakana. If you prefer to linger in the city, nab a late dessert and coffee before the quieter after-commute run north.

Day 6: Waiheke Island wine adventure (full-day tour)

Park near the Auckland Downtown Ferry Terminal and catch the morning ferry to Waiheke (35–45 min; adult return ~NZD 56–72). Join a hosted day of cellar doors, sea views, and island stories on the Waiheke Island Wine Tour with Scenic Vineyards & Tastings—often three wineries plus a vineyard lunch.

Expect island syrahs and chardonnays, olive groves, and vineyard vistas. Ferry back late afternoon and drive to Matakana for a relaxed supper—wood-fired pizzas at Plume or burgers at the pub.

Day 7: Slow Matakana morning, last tastes, and departure

Morning: Easy breakfast at Black Dog Espresso (grab-and-go pastries and excellent espresso) or a sit-down at Rothko if you didn’t dine there earlier. Pick up edible souvenirs: local honey, olive oil, and small-batch chocolate from the village stores.

Afternoon: Check out, drive back to AKL, and fly home. Compare flight times and fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If time allows, pause in Warkworth for lunch at a contemporary café (think smoked fish kedgeree or a roast pumpkin salad) and a quick riverfront stroll.

Optional add-on for LOTR fans (swap into Day 5 or create an extra day):

Join a full-day small-group trip from Auckland that pairs caves and cinema magic: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch.

Walk among hobbit holes and gardens in the Shire, then glide beneath glowworm galaxies on an underground boat in Waitomo. It’s a long day but a North Island classic.

Where to eat and drink—extra picks:

• Breakfast/coffee: Third Wheel Coffee Co. (house roasts), Black Dog Espresso (espresso and pastries), The Farmer’s Daughter (garden brunch).
• Lunch: Brick Bay Glass House Kitchen (vineyard fare), Leigh Eats (pies and sandwiches), Matakana Market Kitchen (seasonal plates), Charlie’s Gelato (dessert stop).
• Dinner: Plume Restaurant (wine-country cuisine), Rothko at Sculptureum (artful seasonal menus), The Stables (hearty mains), Matakana Village Pub (classic NZ pub fare), Smoko Room at Sawmill Brewery (share plates + craft beer).

Local tips: Book Sculptureum and Brick Bay lunch tables on weekends. Bring a rash top and booties for Goat Island’s rocky entry. At Tāwharanui, gates close at night—check times. Summer weekends see traffic on the Matakana Road; start early for day trips. Always swim between the flags when lifeguards are on duty at Omaha.

Another guided option from Auckland: If you’d prefer a city sampler first, the half-day Auckland City Highlights Tour pairs well with afternoon art or harbor walks before returning north.

Matakana rewards the unhurried traveler—one vineyard lunch, one coastal walk, and one swim at a time. With this 7-day plan, you’ll taste the region’s best, meet its marine life, and slip into the easy rhythm locals love. You’ll leave with sandy feet, a camera full of sculpture, and a short list of wines to reorder back home.