Matakana is the village north of Auckland that Aucklanders visit when they want a day of good food, wine and coast without going far. It sits about an hour from the city on the Rodney coast, with a small main street, a river, galleries, a cinema and, on market days, one of the best-known farmers’ markets in the country. A day trip from Auckland puts all of this together with a few beaches and a vineyard, and leaves the driving to someone else. The farmers’ market is the heart of the visit, with local produce, baking, cheese, coffee and street food around the riverside, though it runs on set days in the week, so check which day your tour runs. The winery stop adds a tasting of regional wines, and the beaches in the area, such as the long, wild strands of the Pacific coast, show another face of the region. Between them, the stops make a relaxed outing rather than a rush of sightseeing. It is a good choice for couples, small groups of friends and anyone who prefers to eat and drink well in a pretty setting. It also works as a gentle alternative to the longer road trips to Hobbiton and Rotorua, since you are back in the city in good time for dinner. Matakana also has a creative side, with galleries, studios and sculpture gardens in the surrounding countryside, so travellers who like art as well as food will find plenty to explore on a longer visit.
How to visit
The tour leaves from Auckland and returns the same day, so you do not need a car. Allow most of a day, although it is shorter than the long trips to the south, and check the departure and return times when you book. The village is small, so there is plenty of time to wander at the market, and the vineyard stop is usually a tasting rather than a full meal. If you would like to drive yourself, you can combine Matakana with Goat Island and the reserve at Leigh.
What to expect
A morning in the village, a winery tasting and a stop at one or two beaches, though the order and the stops vary by operator. The farmers’ market has a lively mix of food stalls, so come with an appetite, and bring a bag for any purchases. Weather can change, so layers and a light waterproof are helpful, and sunscreen matters in summer. If the winery stop includes a tasting, the guide will usually set a limit and keep the group together for the drive back.
Making it work
Weekends are busy, and markets add to the crowds, so a weekday trip can feel quieter, although the market itself may not run. Summer is the liveliest season, and autumn is often settled and pleasant. If you would like more wine, the Waiheke Island vineyards are on the water, and the Muriwai gannets and wine half-day pairs a seabird colony with a tasting.
For a longer coastal outing, our guide to day trips from Auckland compares the options, and the Goat Island snorkel is a good match if you want to get in the water on the same stretch of coast.
What to expect
The experience
A guided day trip north of Auckland with time at the Matakana riverside market, a winery tasting and beach stops.
Best time
Market days and fine weather; summer is liveliest and autumn is often settled.
How long
Most of a day; check the departure and return times.
Tips
Check which days the market runs, bring a bag and layers, and tell the organisers about any dietary needs.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Couples and friends who want food, wine and beaches without a long drive.
- Families
- Better for older children; the winery stop is for adults but the market and beaches suit families.
- Couples
- A relaxed, flavourful day out that returns to the city in time for dinner.
- Pair with
- A drink on the Viaduct Harbour or a ferry trip the next day.
- Time needed
- About six to eight hours.
Good questions
How far is Matakana from Auckland?+
About an hour by road, so it is one of the easiest day trips from the city.
When does the farmers’ market run?+
The market runs on set days of the week, so check which day your tour runs and whether the market is on.
Is there a wine tasting?+
Yes, the trip includes a winery stop. The details of the tasting depend on the operator, so check the inclusions when you book.
Do I need a car?+
No. The tour leaves from Auckland and returns the same day.
What should I bring?+
Layers, sunscreen, a bag for purchases and some spending money for the market.
