Escape to a food and wine paradise in a place with a rich history that was built on timber, flax and clay!

In our series on the Hidden Gems in New Zealand, we turn our attention to Matakana, a small town built around the Matakana River, an hour’s drive from Auckland and a great place to spend a day on your Kiwi road trip.

Along with its unique and fascinating history, the town has also become renowned for its produce, crafts and wine!

Some great things to look at and discover in our guide below!

The history of Matakana

Matakana first attracted early settlers because of its rich timber resources and a sawmill was built at the Matakana River’s falls in the 1850’s. Flax was also harvested from the area during this time.

One of the town’s first public buildings was the Presbyterian School and Church that was built in 1864 and still exists today in its relocated home at Matakana Country Park.

By the 1880’s the timber resources had been exhausted and the town’s focus became fruit and agriculture. Its reputation for quality produce was quickly established and is still highly sought after and appreciated to this day.

In later years, Matakana also established a strong reputation for brick production and pottery thanks to rich deposits of clay. A number of well-respected wineries have also established themselves in Matakana with vineyards planted on the slopes of the clay soils there.

Things to do in Matakana

The great thing about Matakana is that so much of its history has endured and flourished over the years. With a strong community spirit, it’s a very welcoming and warm environment to experience many of the things from this bygone era.

Matakana Village

The Matakana Village complex is in the heart of the town and focal point for so much that goes on in Matakana. It was designed by award-winning architect, Noel Lane, and is one of the main draws for visitors to the area.

There’s a lot on offer within the village including artisan foods, boutique fashion, local arts and crafts, homeware, jewellery, gifts and more. The space is wonderfully landscaped connecting the centre of town to the river with plenty of open spaces to relax in.

It’s also the place where you’ll find the Matakana Cinema, one of the best independent cinemas in the country!

Morris and James

Morris & James is one of the most renowned potteries in New Zealand. Established in 1977, they have been creating incredible ceramics from the clay deposits near the Matakana River.

The showroom and pottery factory is a fascinating place to visit, not just because of the vast array of colourful and creative pieces they have on display, but because you can go on a tour of the factory itself.

The tour, which is free and held daily at 11:30 am, will introduce you to the world of pottery and show you how they go about making their iconic ceramics.

Sculptureum

One of the highest rated attractions in Matakana is Sculptureum, a private collection of 700+ pieces from local and international artists spread over three sculpture gardens and six amazing galleries.

The Sculptureum is not only an interesting experience but an enriching one due to the quality of works by such immense creative talent. The Snail Garden with giant pink snails is a real crowd pleaser, but there are also pieces from the likes of Dale Chihuly, Richard Wedekind and more.

The Sculptureum also has the stunning Rothko Restaurant which overlooks its picturesque vineyard.

Matakana Country Park

If you’re travelling with the family then you can’t look past the Matakana Country Park, a privately owned 50 acre estate that offers a great animal experience that all can appreciate and enjoy.

Kids absolutely love the animals there that include donkeys, pigs, llamas, chickens, roosters, sheep, goats and more. They also have a miniature ride-on train, horse and carriage rides and an exciting adventure playground to keep them occupied.

Adults enjoy the lovely Stables Restaurant, Smith’s Bar and Bramble Cafe as well as the nice little art gallery they have on site. A charming visit for everyone.

Water activities galore!

Another thing that Matakana is able to boast is a beautiful coastline that you can experience by all manner of water activity including surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, snorkelling and more!

There are a number of operators in the area that specialise in this with two of the best being Saltwater Eco and Blue Adventures. Both have outstanding reviews with knowledgeable teams offering experiences for those who are beginners to those who have done it before.

Something you won’t want to miss out on especially on a sunny day so be sure you pack all your swimming gear before you head out!

Wineries and Vineyards

Wine has been produced in the Matakana region since the 1950’s and now there are over 20 different wineries producing wine that are enjoyed all around the world. According to the Matakana Winegrowers Association, there are over 28 varieties (17 red and 11 white) grown in the region, making it one of New Zealand’s most diverse wine regions.

What’s great about all this of course, is that you can visit their cellar doors and go on wine tours to taste the wine yourself. Brick Bay, Runner Duck and Heron’s Flight are just some of the wineries that offer tastings amongst the lot. These guys know what they’re doing and are passionate about it so you really can’t go wrong here.

Matakana Farmers’ Market

We finish on an absolute high with the Matakana Farmers’ Market, the popular Saturday morning event that has become a staple for people from all around the region.

Here you will find the very best in local produce that will get the tummy rumbling and encourage indulgence of the good variety. Fresh and sustainable artisan goods are what it’s all about here and there’s always an abundance of mouthwatering treats to enjoy.

With live entertainment/music as well the atmosphere is always at its festive best. Set up your own little picnic in the open spaces and soak it all in.

Events and festivals in Matakana

Matakana is the type of place that has plenty going on right throughout the year. Quite a number of those are pop-up events, but they’ve also a few regular ones that are great to attend if your dates happen to coincide.

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