Island
Ōrewa & Devonport
Pūhoi Town Library © Getty Images BELOW: Matakana © Auckland Unlimited Inc.
surrounds
matakana
& beyond
Te Ara Tāhuna Estuary Walkway, Ōrewa Walk or ride this 7.6km track that fringes the water and passes an eye-catching Māori carving, parks and cafés. Flat and gentle, it’s a good option for families with kids.
Pūhoi Pūhoi
Ōrewa Estuary Arts Centre Exhibitions are fresh here, there’s a
the luge, bungy, zipline, tube rides and 7D movies. Who are we kidding? The adults love it too. A 20-minute drive from Ōrewa.
Western
Auckland Council Glamping Fancy something a little different to your standard tent? Nipping the beachfront at Ōrewa Beach Holiday Park, choose from a steel-framed canvas tent or a lotus belle glamping tent.
Leigh
Springs
Whangaparāoa Peninsula Beaches Drive this breathtaking coastline, visiting one glittering strip of golden sand after another. Make the most of Red Beach, Stanmore Bay, Little Manly, Big Manly and Army Bay with picnics, sandy walks, beach naps and swims.
MANUKAU
EADS Hthis Couldrey House Situated within Wenderholm Regional Park,
Matakana
historic homestead still features its Victorian and Edwardian era furnishings. Wander the grounds independently or pick the brains of a volunteer host.
Waitematā
Warkworth Step Back in Time 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.
Pūhoi
Lucy Moore Memorial Park Complete with fields, flying fox and in-ground trampolines. The park is named after former Warkworth resident, Lucy Moore, a leading 20th century horticulturist who is still referred to as the ‘mother of New Zealand botany’.
Orewa
Snellsh Beach north of apa rāo gJust a W an Warkworth exists another long stretch of platinum-white sand and good quality paddling pools that form at low tide. Seldom busy, always beautiful.
East Coast
TOP TIP: Float down Warkworth’s Mahurangi River aboard restored scow, the Jane Gifford.
Bays
See Map Section - pages 66 to 71
Pūhoi Historic Pub Such a goodlooking pub from the outset, you won’t be able to resist stopping for a drink. Established in 1879, this large, historic building spills onto a large fetching lawn and beer garden.
Kayaking Paddle along the Pūhoi
East Coast East Coast Bays Bays top Pacific oyster growing area, swim at one of several beaches or walk one of several tracks.
Rotoroa
Tāwharanui ad Spot kiwi at night in BirkenhtheeTāwharanui Park. With headthermalRegional Birkeninfra-red gear and kiwi-
Island
spotting prowess, tours with Habitat
Ōrewa &
surrounds
ared highly rated. hea BirkenTours Point Wells h n ad Small estuary-fronting Birke villageewith a strong community
matakana
spirit. Walk the shoreline and stop at the playground.
Ti Point A coastal pathway is loved by locals, with small bays and jetty views. Ti Point Reptile Park is a family favourite and home to tuatara.
& beyond orthcote
from 9am. When you’re surrounded by so much cheese, yoghurt and dairy farming, you’re guaranteed a delicious time.
River in a river kayak for 8km from the historic Pūhoi Village to the ngaparā oa Café & Cheese a Puhoi Valley Wh scenic Wenderholm Regional Park. parThis ga ā n Store oisaevery cheese lovers’ a h W Kayak hire is found on the main fantasy. Brimming with stacked road leading into town. camembert, cheese tastings and award-winning flavours churning Church of Saints Peter & Paul behind large picture windows. The Admire the village’s pretty Catholic venue sits in heavenly grounds, with church which dates back to 1881. a café and outside terrace. White with a bright red gabled roof,
TOP TIP: Follow your nose to Ringawera Bakery for hot buttery croissants and fresh artisan bread.
nvillage boasts a pocketful old-world of interesting shops. Sip coffee kenhbite ead birKitchen, from Matakana& Market into Aotearoa’s best bacon butty at the Matakana Bacon Company and Matakana Village Pub serves excellent gastropub food. Matakana is also known for its wine production.
it features an interesting tabernacle painting, stained glass and statues.
Pūhoi a Farmers’ Market Held Orew on alast Sunday of every month Orewthe
Harbour
Matakana Village This small,
North Auckland
Warkworth Warkworth
Albany
Ōrewa Beach Don’t miss this sunny seaside town 40km north of central Auckland. Its white-sand beach attracts a crowd for many reasons, namely swimming, sunbathing and an array of water sports.
Takapuna hc oift rt delightful gift shop café, and you’re e up for it, workshops too. noand Snowplanet, Silverdale This one will quench every snow-related thirst beart Alhas tslope with its dry ski slope and Alpine-style artificialM ski nhThe kecafé. r e i a b d & and a smaller slope for beginners. long run for skiers, a chairlift o f r l d Mi Adventure Park A hidden treasure in Stillwater. Auckland Kids love MANUREWA
Matakana Matakana
Leigh A gem of a spot with a small market. Open Saturday, 8am-1pm.
Brick Bay Wines & Sculpture Trail On the outskirts of Matakana, you’ll find this excellent vineyard and sculpture trail. The bush walk culminates at the vineyard’s restaurant by the lake: The Glass House Kitchen.
Sculptureum A collection of indoor
Matakana Village Farmers’ Market Buy irresistible pantry items
art galleries and sculpture-strewn gardens, including giant pink snails.
such as Italian sausage and locally brewed beer at this river-fronting
Mahurangi Board the Shuckleferry at Scott’s Landing for a cruise to a
harbour, genuine holiday vibes and handy to several top beaches.
Leigh Sawmill Great pizza, live gigs, a beer garden, relics from the former mill and a rustic courtyard with seesaws and beanbags.
Goat Island Marine Reserve New Zealand’s first marine reserve, near Leigh. Snorkelling is fantastic; other options to see what’s going on below are Clearyak see-through kayaks for hire and boarding a glass bottom boat.
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