Day trip to Matakana

Only an hour and a half up the road from Auckland’s CBD is the very cute village of Matakana.

You might have heard of its reputation for the Saturday Farmer’s Market, which is well worth making a trip north for if you ask me. But when it’s not Saturday, there are still plenty of reasons to put Matakana on your Sunday drive list.

In fact, why not make a weekend of it and rent an AirBnB in Matakana and invest some money with the locals 😀

Here are 12 things to do in Matakana to keep you busy for more than a day!

1•  Visit the beautiful gardens of the Sculptureum and enjoy a really great lunch in the restaurant. There are two garden “galleries”, with quirky and inspiring sculptures to roam around. Allow at least 2.5 hours if you’re going to have lunch too.

2• Lie on a towel with a good book and have a day of swimming and picnicking at Tawharanui beach.

3•  Take a cheeky bottle of wine and fish n chips down to secluded Buckletons Beach and spread out a blanket under the huge craggy trees as the waves gently lap in front.

4•  Pop over to Snells Beach and visit the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail. There is also a cafe here to while away a nice afternoon.

5•  Follow the Matakana Wine Trail (bags not be sober driver!) Ok, you will definitely want to spend the weekend here if you choose this one 😀

6•  Take your wet suit and snorkel to Goat Island, or book a glass-bottom boat cruise

7•  Head to Pakiri for an energetic horse trek along the beach.

8•  Visit Kawau Island and historic Mansion House

9•  Buy an icecream from Charlie’s Gelato Garden on Sharp Road and eat it in the garden or hop back in the car.

10•  Use the fancy public loos in Matakana town, browse the few shops and have a beer at Matakana House Bar and Grill.

11•  Visit the famous Morris & James factory shop for pottery and sculpture

12•  OR visit the Matakana Farmers Market (but only on Saturday)

Click here for all the info you need on Matakana Village