Private Jade Carving, Honey Tasting & Wine Tour

schedule 9 hours • auto_awesome Art & Wine • location_on Day trip from Auckland • groups Maximum 11 people

schedule 9 hours

lock Private

palette Art & Wine

person_check Fully Guided

eco Eco-conscious

handyman Hands-on

Discover Matakana's art, sculpture and wine, and carve your own pounamu (jade) necklace to take home!

Discover the charm of Matakana where creativity fine wine and natural beauty come together in perfect harmony on this elegant private tour just 45 minutes north of Auckland. Tailored for curious travellers, this thoughtfully designed journey blends art, flavour and authentic local experiences.

Your day begins with a comfortable pickup from Auckland, heading north through picturesque countryside to the renowned Brick Bay Sculpture Trail. Meander through peaceful native bush where striking contemporary artworks are beautifully integrated into the landscape.

Enjoy a relaxed wine tasting experience sampling some of the region’s most celebrated wines. This is followed by a lunch in a suspended glass restaurant offering breathtaking views of surrounding vineyards and gardens.

The tour continues with a stroll through the Matakana Village Boutique Shops where you can browse local artisan crafts and charming small-town finds. A special hands-on moment awaits as you join a local artist for a Pounamu (Jade) carving session in which you will create your own necklace to take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Enjoy a honey tasting and a peaceful walk through native bush learning about New Zealand’s flora and the vital role bees play in our environment.

As the day draws to a close you will return to Auckland with a handcrafted keepsake, enriched senses and lasting memories of Matakana’s unique blend of art, nature, and hospitality.

* Please advise us of any dietary requirements you may have at the time of booking.

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Destination

Matakana, north of Auckland

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Available Languages

English

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Included

Pick up & drop off at any hotel, airport or cruise port in Auckland, Complimentary Snacks & water, Professional tour guide/driver, Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, Wine Tasting, Lunch in a suspended glass restaurant, Visit to Matakana Village Boutique Shops, Pounamu (Jade) carving with an artist to make your own necklace, Honey tasting & native bush

schedule

Duration

9 hours

groups

Group Size

Maximum 11 people

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Transport Mode

Driving, walking

What can you expect

The Brick Bay Sculpture Trail

Just 45 minutes north of Auckland, meander through peaceful native bush where striking contemporary artworks are integrated into the landscape on the renowned Brick Bay Sculpture Trail.

Wine Tasting and a Glasshouse Lunch

Enjoy a relaxed tasting of the region’s celebrated wines, followed by lunch in a suspended glass restaurant with breathtaking views over the vineyards and gardens.

Carve Your Own Pounamu

Join a local artist for a Pounamu (jade) carving session and create your own necklace to take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Honey Tasting and Native Bush

Finish with a honey tasting and a peaceful walk through native bush, learning about New Zealand’s flora and the vital role of bees.

Plan Timeline

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local guide. Feel free to personalise this offer.

Pickup from Auckland CBD

Collection from your Auckland accommodation.

Brick Bay Sculpture Trail

Wander the sculpture trail through native bush.

Wine Tasting and Lunch

Taste local wines and lunch in a glass restaurant.

Matakana Village

Browse the boutique shops and artisan crafts.

Pounamu Carving

Carve your own jade necklace with a local artist.

Honey Tasting and Return

Enjoy a honey tasting before the drive back to Auckland.

*Note: Our itinerary is flexible and may change on the day so we can give you the best possible experience.

Reviews from guests

    EXCELLENT  
  1899 reviews
 
 
        Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   JOHN F 
 25 January 2026
 
 
   Hole in the Rock Long but very enjoyable day. Some light showers and wind made for bit bumpy ride on the ferry but there is an enclosed deck for fair weather travelers. Jon our driver was superb. Excellent service dropping all in our group back to our hotels in the evening. Good taste of Bay of the islands wanting a longer stay but great for a day trip!
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Amanda C 
 25 January 2026
 
 
   You better hope you get Jon as your driver!! Jon was our driver today and he was great. Very informative on the drive in regards to Auckland and very friendly!!The boat trip was great, got to see multiple dolphins and see the islands. Such a great day!!
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Climber45511056256 
 21 January 2026
 
 
   Great I had Adil as my tour guide. Great tour and smooth journey to and from!
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Gladys T 
 20 January 2026
 
 
   Lovely trip Nice trip we enjoyed it very much it was worth the money . It took all day from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm . It was raining on the day but the guide provided the amberellas . The trip was well organised and timed The tour guide Nancy was lovely, funny so knowledgeable she added more fun to our trip
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   N1C0L3TT3 
 19 January 2026
 
 
   A scenic but long day from Auckland. Well worth it though! A long day but worth it to see the Northland and Bay of Islands landscape especially if you do not have your own transport. Raymond the driver/guide was educational and pleasant and the mini coach was pleasant with just 5 other passengers.
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jshah21 
 19 January 2026
 
 
   Awesome! This tour was an absolute highlight of our New Zealand trip, and Andy made it truly exceptional. From start to finish, he was knowledgeable, engaging, and incredibly thoughtful about every detail of the day. His storytelling brought Hobbiton to life in such a fun and immersive way—even if you’re not a die-hard fan, it’s impossible not to be enchanted.Andy managed the schedule seamlessly, making sure we never felt rushed while still fitting everything in comfortably. At Waitomo, he provided great context and history beforehand, which made the glowworm cave experience even more magical and meaningful.What really stood out was Andy’s genuine care for the group—he was approachable, funny, and happy to answer questions, take photos, and make sure everyone was enjoying themselves. It felt personal, not scripted.Highly recommend this tour, and if you can request Andy as your guide, do it. You’ll walk away with amazing memories and an even deeper appreciation for New Zealand’s beauty.
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   William N 
 18 January 2026
 
 
   Exceptional experience with Paul! We had an incredible time with Paul as our guide. From start to finish, he was incredibly attentive and made sure everyone in our group was comfortable. He went completely out of his way to show us extra sites we hadn't even expected to see, which really made the trip feel special. His passion for the area is obvious, and he truly went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable experience. Highly recommend!
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Dirk K 
 17 January 2026
 
 
   Great experience at Hobbiton! My partner and I enjoyed the Hobbiton Movie Set Day Tour from Auckland.Our driver, John, was incredibly friendly, punctual, and attentive. He shared fascinating tidbits during the journey, making the ride engaging and fun. Upon arrival at Hobbiton, he guided us clearly and efficiently, never overbearing, just perfectly helpful.The tour of Hobbiton itself was wonderful. The experience was well-organized, informative, and just the right length to soak in the magic of Middle-earth. On the return trip, we encountered an unexpected delay due to an accident and the highway was closed. John kept us informed and ensured we had plenty of water and snacks to stay comfortable.Overall, it was a fantastic day out, and I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting New Zealand! A perfect blend of adventure, storytelling, and hospitality.
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Letitia D 
 17 January 2026
 
 
   Epic day trip with a magnificent guide - Nancy . Stories in words and images, enough pit stops to refresh and toilet Our guide Nancy was amazing, caring, helpful and punctual but mostly knowledgeable! She engaged all of the participants and ensured everything is on time and smooth!
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jim A 
 17 January 2026
 
 
   Great Auckland Intro Shirt but super intro to Auckland. Our guide was informed and really a joy to interact with. Really set up our trip well on our first day here
  
 
 
  
 
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5 reasons to book this tour

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Carve Your Own Jade

Create a pounamu necklace to take home.

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Honey Tasting

Discover local honey and the role of bees.

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Art and Sculpture

Walk the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail.

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Door-to-Door Pickup

Collection from your Auckland accommodation.

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Wine and Glasshouse Lunch

Taste local wines with vineyard views.

Flexible Cancellation Policy

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Plans can change — we get it

Cancellations made more than 3 days before your tour date are eligible for a partial refund, with fees varying based on timing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get to keep the jade necklace? keyboard_arrow_down

Yes. You carve your own pounamu (jade) necklace with a local artist and take it home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Is lunch included? keyboard_arrow_down

Yes, lunch in the suspended glass restaurant is included, along with snacks and water.

Is this tour suitable for non-drinkers? keyboard_arrow_down

Absolutely. The wine and honey tastings are optional highlights, and there is plenty to enjoy across the art, carving and scenery.

How long does the jade carving take? keyboard_arrow_down

You will spend a relaxed session with a local artist carving your pounamu necklace. It is hands-on but beginner-friendly, and you take your finished piece home.

Is this tour good for couples or special occasions? keyboard_arrow_down

Absolutely. The mix of art, wine, food and hands-on carving makes it a popular choice for couples, anniversaries and relaxed celebrations.

Auckland & Beyond tours are always

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Safe and comfortable

Your safety is our priority. We travel in a modern fleet of Mercedes Benz luxury vehicles with high safety ratings, and our guides are experienced in assisting travellers of all ages and mobility levels.

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Fully guided by local experts

Our guides don’t just drive you from A to B. They share rich stories about Aotearoa’s history, natural wonders, Māori culture, and wildlife — so you understand and feel the places you visit.

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Eco-conscious

Sustainability is a core value. We run eco-conscious tours, use modern low-emissions vehicles, and support local communities and conservation wherever possible.