Matakana: A Hidden Gem in New Zealand
Matakana is about a 50-minute drive from central Auckland and has become one of the best weekend trips NZ wide for travellers who want a mix of boutique wine tasting, a famed Saturday farmers’ market, nearby white sand beaches and coastal art trails. With wineries, Sculptureum, Tāwharanui Regional Park, Omaha Beach, Goat Island Marine Reserve and Brick Bay all within a short drive, it is a compact North Island hidden gem that is easy to explore with a RaD Car Hire rental.
Where is Matakana and why is it a hidden gem
Matakana is a small village about 67 kilometres north of central Auckland, or roughly 50 minutes by car via State Highway 1 and the Matakana road turn off in normal traffic. It sits in a coastal hinterland of rolling farmland, river flats and low hills that has quietly evolved into one of the most popular Matakana travel bases for Aucklanders and visitors wanting food, wine and beaches without long drives.
Unlike bigger wine regions, Matakana stays walkable and relaxed; the central village square, riverside paths, market and cinema are all within a few minutes on foot, with wineries and beaches spread out in a 15 to 25 minute driving radius. That compact layout is a big part of why staff at RaD’s Auckland Airport and West branches often describe it as a “sweet spot” for hidden gems NZ fans who only have a day or a single night spare.
RaD Auckland Airport tip: If you land in the morning, you can pick up your car, clear the motorway before the afternoon peak, and be in Matakana in under an hour; many travellers then use this area as their first “decompress” stop after long-haul flights.
Matakana Village Farmers’ Market - the Saturday highlight
The Matakana Village Farmers’ Market is the village’s best-known weekly event and a core reason people talk about Matakana travel so much. It runs every Saturday from 8am to 1pm, all year round, rain or shine, beside the river in the centre of the village.
Expect:
- A strong focus on fresh, sustainable and local artisan goods; everything from fruit and vegetables to cheeses, breads and deli treats.
- Award-winning coffee and hot brunch dishes that make it easy to roll breakfast and shopping into one stop.
- Live local music and a rustic playground and treehouse area that keeps kids occupied while adults browse.
The market is proudly zero waste, so organisers encourage visitors to bring their own bags or baskets instead of relying on single-use packaging.
RaD Auckland West tip: For the best experience, staff suggest leaving the city by 7am, parking in one of the village car parks and being at the market close to opening. By late morning on fine Saturdays, it can be very busy and parking tighter, especially in summer and on long weekends.
Wine tasting and vineyards around Matakana
Matakana wine tasting is one of the region’s big draws. The area’s climate and soils have supported boutique vineyards since the 1970s, and many now have cellar doors or restaurants.
What sets Matakana apart from larger regions is:
- A high concentration of small, family-run vineyards within 10 to 15 minutes of the village. This makes hopping between 2 or 3 cellar doors in a half day quite realistic.
- A focus on premium, often small batch wines rather than mass production, with many producers specialising in varieties like Pinot Gris, Syrah and Bordeaux style blends.
Nearby, Brick Bay Wines offers a particularly distinctive combination of vineyard and outdoor sculpture trail. Visitors can follow a 2-kilometre art walk through native bush and vineyards before or after tasting their wines and dining at the glasshouse restaurant.
RaD Auckland Airport tip: If wine is your main focus, park the car at your accommodation or the village and book a local wine shuttle or e-bikes; this keeps your driver fresh and lets everyone in the group sample without worrying about limits. Staff often see guests combining a market morning with an afternoon wine loop like this.
Beaches and outdoor activities: Omaha, Tāwharanui and Goat Island
Image credit: Korkut Tas
One of the strengths of Matakana as a hidden gem NZ base is how quickly you can switch from village and vineyards to beaches and marine reserves.
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach is a long, gently curving white sand beach about a 10 to 15-minute drive from Matakana village. It’s popular for swimming, walking and family-friendly holidays with a mix of baches and holiday homes. The beach faces east into the Hauraki Gulf, so it generally has more sheltered conditions than the west coast surf beaches closer to Auckland.
Tāwharanui Regional Park and Marine Reserve
Tāwharanui Regional Park sits on the Takatu Peninsula north of Matakana and is often described as one of Auckland’s most stunning coastal parks, with white sand, shingle bays, pasture and pockets of native forest. It incorporates both the Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary and the adjoining 394-hectare Tāwharanui Marine Reserve on the northern side of the peninsula.
Highlights include:
- Pōhutukawa-lined beaches and safe swimming areas that make it ideal for families.
- Intertidal and subtidal reefs that support around 50 fish species, lobsters and occasional visits from bottlenose dolphins and orca.
- Walking tracks across pasture and coastal forest with views back toward Kawau Island and the wider Hauraki Gulf.
Because it is a marine reserve, fishing and taking shellfish or fossils are prohibited. DOC notes that greywacke rock slabs here hold Jurassic fossils that must not be removed.
Goat Island Marine Reserve
Cape Rodney‑Okakari Point Marine Reserve, better known as Goat Island Marine Reserve, is New Zealand’s first marine reserve and has become a classic example of successful marine protection. Established in 1975, it developed into a rich ecological area teeming with fish and other marine life within a decade.
Visitors can:
- Snorkel in shallow water close to the main beach to see snapper, blue maomao and other species that are uncommon elsewhere on unprotected coasts.
- Join glass-bottom boat or clear kayak tours if they prefer not to get fully in the water.
- Walk coastal tracks that leave from either end of the car park for views along the cliffs and quiet picnic spots.
RaD Auckland West tip: For a classic outdoor day, staff often suggest an early beach walk at Omaha, a mid-morning snorkel at Goat Island and a late afternoon stop at Tāwharanui on the way back if time and tides allow. This kind of loop is much easier in your own car than on public transport.
Sculptureum, Brick Bay and the local art scene
Beyond wine and beaches, Matakana and its surrounds have built a surprisingly strong art and design reputation.
- Sculptureum is a large private art attraction near Matakana that combines indoor galleries with three sculpture gardens filled with artworks, plantings and curiosities. The experience is structured as a self-guided wander with optional dining and wine tasting on site.
- Brick Bay Sculpture Trail complements its vineyard operation with an outdoor trail where contemporary artworks are installed along a loop through bush, vineyard and wetlands. This adds a strong “art in landscape” dimension to Matakana wine tasting.
These experiences position Matakana as an artistic hub as well as a food and wine stop, which is part of its appeal for weekenders from Auckland looking for something beyond a standard beach break.
RaD Auckland Airport tip: If you have only one day and like art, staff often suggest choosing either Sculptureum or Brick Bay plus the market, rather than trying to cram everything into a short window; each site rewards at least a couple of unrushed hours.
Driving from Auckland and where to eat
Getting there
From central Auckland or the airport, drivers follow SH1 north past the Northern Motorway and Pūhoi before turning off toward Matakana. Google Maps and similar route guides list the driving distance at about 67 kilometres and a typical time of 50 minutes in normal traffic. Weekend and holiday traffic can extend this, especially at known bottlenecks near Warkworth.
RaD Auckland West tip: If you are picking up your car from the West branch, use the western ring route to join SH1 north. Leaving after 9.30am on a Saturday often means a smoother run while still getting you to the market in time for brunch.
Places to eat
Within Matakana and nearby, staff and local guides commonly highlight:
- Cafés and eateries around the Matakana Village square and cinema courtyard, offering brunch, cabinet food and casual dinners.
- Food trucks and stalls at the Saturday market, which can cover breakfast and lunch in one visit if you graze as you wander.
- Winery restaurants at Brick Bay and other vineyards for longer lunches and dinners with a focus on seasonal, often locally sourced ingredients.
On coastal days, many visitors stock up at the village supermarket or market for picnic supplies to take to Omaha, Tāwharanui or Goat Island. This keeps beach time flexible and avoids needing to leave prime swimming spots for a formal meal.
Conclusion
Matakana’s blend of slow village rhythms, coastal wilderness, boutique vineyards and playful art makes it feel like a true hidden gem rather than a tick box stop on a rushed itinerary. Whether you are a grazer at the farmers’ market, a snorkeller at Goat Island, a family chasing safe beaches or a couple planning Matakana wine tasting and sculpture gardens, it is one of the best weekend trips NZ has to offer within easy reach of Auckland. With a RaD Car Hire vehicle from Auckland Airport or West Auckland, you have the flexibility to time your visit for quieter mornings, explore off the main routes to places like Tāwharanui and Brick Bay and pack your boot with local treasures to take home.
If you are ready to turn Matakana from “somewhere I have heard about” into “our favourite North Island weekend escape”, book your rental with RaD Car Hire for your next New Zealand adventure. Our local teams can help you choose the right car, refine your route and share the kind of up-to-date, on-the-ground tips that turn a simple day trip into a trip you will talk about for years.
FAQ - Matakana travel and planning
How long does it take to drive from Auckland to Matakana?
Route planners and transport guides state that the road distance is about 67 kilometres and the drive takes roughly 50 minutes from central Auckland in normal traffic; you should allow extra time during peak holiday periods or if you plan to stop en route.
What day is the Matakana Village Farmers’ Market on and is there an entry fee?
The Matakana Village Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday from 8am to 1pm, all year round, and entry is free; it operates in all weather with a strong focus on local, sustainable and zero waste trading.
Is Matakana suitable for a family weekend or only for couples and wine trips?
Matakana works well for families; the market has a playground and riverside area, Omaha and Tāwharanui offer safe swimming and Goat Island Marine Reserve is one of the best shallow snorkelling spots for kids in the country when conditions are calm.
Do I need a 4WD to reach Tāwharanui Regional Park and Goat Island?
No, Tāwharanui Regional Park is described by Auckland tourism resources as a short drive north of the city and is accessible by standard vehicles, and Goat Island Marine Reserve is also reached by sealed roads; a regular 2WD rental car is sufficient in normal conditions.
How many days should I allow in Matakana if I want markets, wine and beaches?
Many visitors find that a full Saturday plus either Friday night or Sunday gives enough time to enjoy the market, visit one or two art sites, taste at several vineyards and fit in at least one good beach or snorkel session, making Matakana one of the best weekend trips NZ wide from Auckland.