Arrival and First Impressions
Recent arrivals to Auckland, either off a cruise or jet-lag inducing long-haul flight, often need a recovery day or two but are uninclined to waste precious time staying around their hotel.
So, an alternate option has to be a day tour around the delightful village of Matakana, 55 km (34m) as the crow flies to the north of the city and easily accessible via the recently completed Northern Expressway. As the heart of the flourishing eastern bays of the historic Mahurangi Peninsula, Matakana’s claim to fame since 2002 has to be its Saturday morning Farmer’s Market featuring a range of local artisanal produce, treats and even if you wish, a `while you wait’ knife repair / sharpening service.
Morning Market and Local Flavours
To park close by and enjoy the market at its best, an 8.30am pickup from your inner-city hotel is a must and the attraction and quality of the food and coffee offerings at the market make the wait for breakfast worthwhile. The other non-market days don’t require such an early start so best fit in a few other activities before hitting the town.
Arts, Crafts, and Creative Experiences
Decorative art in its many forms is very much a feature of the region. For the moment, Morris and James, celebrated for its artistry of bold coloured, handcrafted pottery and ceramics wows visitors who can observe the production process and obsess over how they could pack a chosen piece without overdoing the excess baggage thing.
Maybe better before lunch if you value a steady hand, and possibly one of the most satisfying experiences of your trip down under is the opportunity to create your own Pounamu (green jade) pendant under the tutelage of Stephan at Matakana Carving. He will guide you through the selection, design creation and mounting of that special piece using modern versions of enduring traditional techniques that have made New Zealand jade so famous.
Sculpture Parks and Outdoor Inspiration
On a different scale, there are two options showcasing large format installations. Firstly, Sculptureum is famed for its collection of three external and four internal galleries celebrating the works of well-known international artists and it is easy to spend a couple of hours amongst whimsical sculptures and vibrant installations. Rothco, the onsite restaurant is a great lunch option Thursday to Sunday.
Secondly, while admiring the sea views of Snell’s Beach, the perennial favourite Brick Bay is abruptly revealed in an almost hidden valley amongst olive trees and rows of vines. Visitors look down to the glass framed restaurant which appears to hover above the adjacent waterlily-filled lake. Over 2km (1.3m) of trails offer an immersive journey through art and nature, showcasing over 70 works (all of which are for sale) by some of New Zealand’s most talented artists.
Either before or after your walk, it’s time for Brick Bay’s a-la-carte or shared platter lunch accompanied by a selection of wines produced from grapes grown on the property. These can be had by glass and bottle or select a tasting paddle for those looking to appreciate the contrasting styles of the different varietals on offer.
Wine, Honey, and Tasting Experiences
Another possible late morning or post-lunch experience, is a visit to Heron’s Flight. Sufficiently focussed for those with a serious interest in wine discovery, long-term US eastern seaboard escapee David Hoskings will reveal his passion for Italian grape varietals Dolcetto and Sangiovese. Explore the influence of traditional and modern winemaking techniques on the impressive results evident in each of David’s hand-crafted wines. Take-away and export wine sales are a breeze via their online portal.
Beetopia’s `Queen Bee’ Grass has to BE the most passionate advocate for all things pollen, trees and plants, flowers and being a Bee! All that passion becomes apparent during a short nature walk with Grass finishing with the ultimate comparative honey tasting which of course features our rightly lauded Manuka Honey – famous not only for its complex flavours but well proven medicinal and efficacious qualities. 
Shopping, Dining, and Village Charm
Back to the village, and adjacent to the market site is the delightful architecturally designed town square where another possible lunch option, the Matakana Market Kitchen boasts a selection of house -cooked cabinet and a-la-cate fare best enjoyed at an outside table overlooking the river.
Those in need of some retail therapy can revel in the outstanding collection of boutique shops on offer. Favourites have to be Unity Collection – showcasing the exquisite works of over 50 Māori artists, Tea & Tonic (the name is surely self-explanatory) and the award winning Honest Chocolat. A private tasting will introduce you to exquisite chocolate that is ethically sourced, gluten and soy free, lots of vegan and dairy free options, finishing with a Hot Chocolate cup. The amazing chocolate selection offers perfectly packaged gift solutions for friends and family back home – job done!
Beaches, Scenic Views, and Nature
Given the proximity to the beautiful east-coast north of the city, we need to experience the other reason why the region is such a magnet for Auckland residents and visitors alike, especially over summer. Option one is the spectacular Omaha white-sand beach (Māori meaning ‘bountiful food’ or ‘great resources’) – not to be confused with it’s more famous namesake in Normandy France. The connection between the two was the presence between 1942 – 44 of over 5000 American troops who were domiciled in the region. Far out-numbering the local population at the time and being willing and able, friendly and helpful, they fast became popular members of the community.
The ridge leading to Scandrett’s Bay is the second option and it’s time for cameras out! The ridge bisects the yacht filled inner harbour to the left, with views out to Little Barrier and Kawau Islands. To the right and on a clear day, frame spectacular views over Martins Bay to the Coromandel Peninsular, Rangitoto Island and the now-familiar Auckland City Sky Tower in the distance.
A Perfect Finish to the Day
Before we hit the motorway homeward bound, and if lunch, possible wine and chocolate tastings were not enough, a visit to Charlies Gelato for a quintessentially New Zealand Hokey-Pokey Ice-cream or real fruit gelato cone will keep you satiated until dinner back in the city.
Our experienced and friendly team can curate something special based on your interests, time constraints and option availabilities. If all of the above isn’t enough from which to choose, we also offer other experiences to make a stress- free and memorable day – think horse trekking, craft beer tasting, a Kauri Park jaunt and more.
