Matakana Experience

 Head north out of Auckland (New Zealand), about 1hrs. drive on State Highway 1. Choose a good sunny Saturday and have a light breakfast before you leave.You’re going to find plenty of sustenance here for the day.

Turning off at Warkworth, take the Matakana / Leigh Rd. and you’re now in Matakana, (Maori word, meaning Watchful and Vigilant) and that’s what you need to be for the rest of your stay here.

“Matakana Wine Country”, an area which includes over 20 vineyards, names like Ascencion, Herons Flight,Hyperion, Ransome, Matakana estate, producing world class wines. Many of these estates have top quality restaurants and tasting cellars associated with them.

Slow down for the Slow town of Matakana, if it’s a Saturday morning, catch the Farmers Market for locally grown produce.You will also find an exellent bakery, bar and café, and picture theatre, shopping complex.

Here is where you will also find our beautiful jewellery, look out for the shop"Quintessential New Zealand"

Moving on over the bridge, Tongue Farm Rd on the right brings you to Morris and James Pottery, home of the big and colourful in ceramics, pots and tiles, with a café thrown in .

Next stop "The Matakana Country Park".

A farm and equestrian theme park, with childrens playgrounds, horse rides, bridle trails, animal experience and stunning buildings.

Something for all the family here. Saturday is Market Day with a mix of top quality local craft, local produce, craft co-op, art gallery, café and the RD6 restaurant.

Pressing on, you still have :

• Ti Point, a reptile wild-life park.

• Leigh and Goat Island Marine Reserve.
  

• Omaha surf beach.

• Point Wells and the Takatu Peninsula.

Catch your breath and choose  your next Matakana Experience, you won’t be disappointed.

So, if you are reading this article in some far off land, make sure you put New Zealand

on your list of things to do and places to see.

See you soon…….