MAKE THE MOST OF MATAKANA

Matakana, North Auckland

Matakana is just one hours’ drive north of Auckland and for those fond of a jolly good browse, there is no better place. This small, old-world village boast a pocketful of shops. Discover artware and boutique chocolatiers, one-of-a-kind clothing and a carefully curated selection of Māori design objects from Unity Collection.

Matakana, North Island

Don’t miss independent art store Pigment Art for its beautiful presentation of materials, then follow your nose to Ringawera Bakery for buttery croissants and artisan bread. Sip coffee from riverside eatery, Matakana Market Kitchen and bite into Aotearoa’s best bacon butty at the Matakana Bacon Company located up on the knoll and next door to Matakana Coffee Roasters.

Come rain or shine, the Matakana Farmers’ Market springs up every Saturday from 8am-1pm, year-round. Sample heavenly produce from over 50 local purveyors.

Oyster spread with Leigh Sawmill beer © Mahurangi Oysters

BEYOND MATAKANA

Warkworth

An old, intriguing village on Mahurangi River; absorb the district’s history in Warkworth Museum and duck into the Bridge House Lodge Bar & Restaurant, Warkworth’s first building.

Lucy Moore Memorial Park, Warkworth

Complete with fields, flying fox and in-ground trampolines.

Amble down Warkworth’s Mahurangi River aboard restored scow, the Jane Gifford.

Sandspit

Pretty seaside settlement with a boating community that dates back to the 1840s. Also your gateway to Kawau Island.

Tāwharanui Peninsula

Where beach meets bush. This is a haven for walkers, bird watchers, surfers and snorkellers.

Tāwharanui Peninsula, North Auckland © Getty Images

Omaha

The expansive, whitesand surf beach is a magnet for, well, pretty much everyone.

Mahurangi Regional Park

A beautiful, wind-licked park with native forest, idyllic bays and panoramas. Walks ranging from half-an-hour to three hours will blow away the winter blues.

Point Wells

Small estuary-fronting village with a strong community spirit. Walk the shoreline and stop at the playground.

Snells Beach

Another long stretch of platinum-white sand. Seldom busy; always beautiful.

Pakiri Beach

An unpatrolled beach popular for its 9km of icewhite sand. Surfers, strollers and strong swimmers all congregate here, too.

Leigh

Amble down to the port, grab lunch from Leigh Eats and stay at jolly, seaside-centric Leigh Central Accommodation.

Leigh, North Auckland © Getty Images

Leigh Sawmill has great pizza, live gigs, a beer garden, relics from the former mill and a rustic courtyard peppered with seesaws and beanbags.

Goat Island

The first marine reserve in New Zealand. Dive or snorkel to see colourful marine life or stay dry in a see-through ‘Clearyak’ (kayak) or glass bottom boat.

Ti Point

Tickling a 90-minute coastal pathway loved by the locals with small bays and jetty views. Nearby, Ti Point Reptile Park is a family favourite and home to tuatara.