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• Riverside Matakana

  Located in the heart of Matakana Coast wine country and surrounded by cafes, art galleries and restaurants. 1 bedroom apartments are beautifully situated with rural and river views.
  
  

Sightseeing

• Goat Island Marine Reserve visit and glass bottom boat cruise 10 minutes drive away

• Matakana Farmers Market every Saturday morning

• Wine tasting and meals at many of the local wineries

• Horse riding on Pakiri Beach 40 minutes drive away

• Safe swimming beaches

• Visit Mansion House on nearby Kawau Island, 30 minute cruise

• Waiwera Infinity Thermal Spa Resort hot pools 30 minutes drive away

• Puhoi historic village and pub 25 minutes drive away
 

Drive Times

Auckland – Matakana, one hour
Tip: Set off early if you intend to visit this region on summer weekends and public holidays.

Matakana Population: 500

Matakana Village is one hours drive from Auckland city and north east of the town of Warkworth. Once in this quiet rural area, it is hard to believe New Zealand’s largest city is so close. Here it is easy to remember the way life used to be – less complicated, less hurried. The quiet beaches offer safe swimming and boating and many Kiwi families choose to picnic and holiday in the area. The Goat Island Marine Reserve at nearby Leigh is a delight to young and old with the fish swimming literally right around you as you wade into the tide. The glass bottom boat trip is both fun and educational and offers viewing in the deep water around the island. The Saturday morning Matakana Farmers Market is a highlight in this small community offering fresh produce, organic chocolate and home made preserves alongside locally made handcrafts. Pottery made from the local clay is a popular purchase. 

History and Culture

European settlement of this area began some 170 years ago, but there is evidence of Maori settlement in the region they call Puhinui, dating from 1000 years ago. These people settled around the Mahurangi River after their canoe from the great Maori migration across the South Pacific landed on what we now call Goat Island. Three tribes struggled for domination of the region. One of the first European settlers was John Anderson Brown, who immediately saw similarities between the landscape and his hometown of Warkworth in Northern England. The town of Warkworth grew alongside the river which was its lifeblood until there was an all weather road constructed to Auckland in the 1930s. Early industries which financed the town were Kauri timber and cement. Cement made in Warkworth was used to build Grafton Bridge in Auckland, which at the time of its construction (1910), was the largest concrete bridge in the world. Fruit growing is important to the local economy and now vineyards are becoming increasingly evident.

For more information about Matakana and the region, click through to our Discover New Zealand Auckland Region section