10 Places To Visit In North Auckland

With miles of untouched coastline, boutique wineries and galleries, the famous farmers’ markets and arguably the most beautiful white sand beaches within easy reach of Auckland City, there’s so much to discover on the Matakana Coast – North Auckland.

Your perfect escape less than 1 hour north of Auckland with artisan food and wine, pristine beaches and a thriving art scene, there’s something for everyone. Here’s our top 10.

Discover New Zealand’s oldest marine reserve at Goat Island

This marine reserve surrounding the tiny Goat Island or Te Hāwere-a-Maki is one of the most popular snorkelling/diving spots in the Auckland Region as is New Zealand’s first marine reserve.  As a “no-take” zone fish are fearless and plentiful, which makes the whole trip worthwhile and you don’t even have to get your feet wet to enjoy it!

Discover the boutique Matakana Coast vineyards

Less than one hour’s drive north of Auckland City the Matakana vineyards offer boutique wines for tasting, luxury accommodation, restaurants and stunning views of the region a must add to your day out in Matakana Coast.

Discover a local favourite Charlies Gelato 

The most challenging part of visiting Charlies Gelato on the outskirts of Matakana is weighing up which flavour to choose. Luckily they provide tasters so you can make an informed decision. From dairy-free sorbetto, to deliciously creamy gelato you’d be mad not to sample several.

Discover the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail 

If you are spending time in the Matakana Coast make sure you take a detour to visit Brick Bay Sculpture Trail (and winery), located less than 10 mins from Warkworth.  Little and large come together seamlessly on the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail. Nestled in the grounds of its namesake vineyard, you need only to step into the foyer to find a selection of bijou art pieces – handbag-sized and ready to go.

Once on the trail itself, which forges a route through a surprisingly wild environment largely managed by Mother Nature, some sculptures grow in scale, while others sit modestly in the foliage. There is a spectacle to see (and often hear) in every corner, from the water lily lake to the burgeoning kauri forest. You can easily spend hours here. Bright dinosaurs are currently proving a big hit with kids, while the commanding follies, constructed every year following an annual competition to elicit emerging Kiwi talent, always draw the eye.

Discover the riverside town of Warkworth

Everyone often passes through Warkworth on a road trip to Northland or heading to one of the white sandy beaches on the east of Matakana Coast.  People need to plan to stop either for an hour or two, or consider making it their base while exploring the Matakana Coast.  Warkworth is a picturesque riverside town located on the banks of the Mahurangi River, packed with heritage architecture shops and some seriously awesome cafes and restaurants – hint: Chocolate Brown Cafe, Warkworth Hotel just a couple of ideas?

Discover Pūhoi Valley Café and Cheese Store

Just 40 minutes north of Central Auckland, the venue sits in grounds as heavenly as the produce and even non-cheeseaholic will enjoy the native forest and water fountains. Dine like a king on the terrace and then pop indoors to admire the new wheels of cheese residing in the cellar. Polish off your visit with a bottle of Puhoi flavoured milk, the sweetest of treats no matter what your age.

Discover Oyster shucking in style

If you’re bivalve-curious there’s no better experience for sampling seafood than on board the Shuckleferry.  Departing daily from Scotts Landing at the very tip of Māhurangi East Peninsula, the Shuckleferry is a unique, flat-hulled boat that takes you on a tour of the harbour’s oyster farms.

Aboard the Shuckleferry you’ll learn all about the delicious kaimoana and have an opportunity to shuck your own oysters and sample them straight from the shell or gently steamed on the barbecue drizzled in garlic butter.

Discover Tāwharanui Regional Park

After visiting Tāwharanui Regional Park you can see how it can boast of being one of New Zealand’s most beautiful white sand beaches, surrounded by rolling pastures, shingled bays, native coastal forest and regenerating wetlands.  It is considered to be one of the best swimming and surfing venues in the Auckland region and with the shady pohutukawa trees a perfect spot for a picnic which many families can be seen doing during the warmer months.

Discover the walkways of Matakana Coast

A fantastic way to discover the Matakana Coast is on foot, exploring one of the many walking tracks on offer with varying degrees of fitness offered.  From sheltered leisurely bush walks containing waterfalls and native trees including the mighty Kauri to coastal pathways offering breathtaking views you will not be disappointed.

Two of the favourite local walks include Ti Point Coastal Walk a family-friendly walk offering amazing views out to Omaha beach and out to Little Barrier on a clear day.  The second is the Dome Valley Summit Track which offers amazing views including a mystical Kauri grove.

Discover one of the oldest Farmers Market in New Zealand

Pick up fresh local produce at the Matakana Village Farmers Market on Saturdays.  Fill your basket with delicious local cheese, artisan breads, oysters, handmade chocolates, olive oils, craft beers & ciders.  Make sure you munch out on a fresh Manaki Whitebait Fritter by the river’s edge while enjoying a coffee from Matakana Coffee Roasters.  Watch out for the cheeky eels and ducks checking out all the visitors and hoping for a morsel.

For more info contact: Adelle – adelle@gate7.com.au