MATAKANA, OMAHA & POINT WELLS

Thanks to the local farmer’s markets, boutiques, thriving art scene and, of course, surrounding beaches, the once small, rural village of Matakana is now one of the most popular holiday spots and sought-after postcodes in the country. The township of Matakana dates back to the mid-1800s when it was initially known for its timber milling and shipbuilding. Over the following decades, an agriculture and dairy industry was introduced, and the small area became a thriving, rural community. Timber milling continued to be a major part of the town for years to come, with the old timber yard now home to the famous Saturday farmers’ markets and village shops.

Tawharanui Beach - By Dominey Flores

Big Omaha - By Andrew Tunnicliffe

Cruising and Kayaking What was once the only way in and out of the small township, the Matakana River, is a peaceful, scenic river that wends out to the Pacific Ocean. Hour-long cruises depart from Matakana Wharf during full tide, where passengers are treated to an entertaining and informative journey where they can soak up the area’s history whilst enjoying a glass of local beer or wine. For those who prefer a self-guided approach, kayaks are also available for hire from Matakana Wharf.

Fishing With its abundance of Snapper, Kingfish and Kahawai, Omaha Bay and its surrounding coves and islands are incredibly popular amongst the fishing community. For boaties looking to head out towards Little Barrier and Great Barrier Islands, Omaha Beach Boat Ramp is the closest option and is a hive of activity over the weekends and summer months.

For those that prefer to stick to dry land, there are plenty of rock structures dotted around the coast. The rocks at the southern end of Omaha Beach are popular with locals looking to land themselves a Kahawai.

Point Wells - By Andrew Tunnicliffe

The groynes at the beach’s northern end are also popular, with keen anglers happy to perch on the rocks – be sure to check the tides though! Tawharanui Regional Park is also popular with people wanting to fish from the rocks. The northern coastline of the regional park is a marine reserve where all fishing is prohibited, however, once you get past the markers at either side of the reserve, you’re free to fish. Access to some of the more secluded spots can be a bit challenging, so maybe leave the kids at home and keep an eye on the tides.

Matakana Falls - By Andrew Tunnicliffe

BIKE AND WALKING TRACKS

Ranging from short meanderings to daylong tramps, there are plenty of walking tracks in the area, all of which take in the picturesque and changing landscape of the region. The Matakana Cycle Trail extends from Matakana to Omaha Beach, with a separate detour to Point Wells. The twoway track is suitable for the whole family, with places to stop along the way for coffee, ice cream or even a wine tasting. The trail is open to runners, walkers, and cyclists, and for those travelling light, bikes can be hired from Matakana Village. Connecting to the Omaha end of the Matakana Cycle Track, the Quarry Loop is a great walk found at the southern point of Omaha Beach. Once you have walked the 130 steps to the top, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views back across Omaha Bay and beyond. For those looking for something a bit more advanced, the Mount Tamahunga Walkway is located just a 5-minute drive from Matakana Village towards Leigh and provides some of the best views in the area. The walk to the summit takes approximately 1.5 hours and is a mix of private farmland and regenerating native bush and can become quite steep towards the top. Once you arrive at the summit, there are a couple of different options to come back down, each varying in length. Heck, if you’re really keen, you can even walk all the way to Pakiri!

Omaha Beach With picturesque views over to Little Barrier Island, Omaha Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the country, and rightly so. What used to be predominantly a holiday spot for weekenders over the summer months, Omaha is now a thriving community all year round. The 3km of white sand beach is patrolled at the weekends between Labour Weekend and Easter and every day over the busy summer school holidays. While there are no camping facilities at Omaha Beach, several holiday houses are available to rent at both the beach and nearby Point Wells. Omaha Beach is also home to one of New Zealand’s top-rated golf courses. The Omaha Beach Golf Club is an 18-hole, par 70 Links course situated right on the water’s edge, with a clubhouse and community centre that is popular with members and locals alike.

Tawharanui Regional Park Located just a 20-minute drive from Matakana Village, Tawharanui Regional Park is over 580 hectares of protected open sanctuary. It combines white sand beaches, grazing livestock, endangered birdlife and native forest and is one of the most popular spots in the area. The most popular beach within Tawharanui Regional Park for day-trippers is Anchor Bay Beach. There are toilets and changing facilities near Anchor Bay, but that’s where the facilities at the beach end, so be sure to pack a picnic. As with all of the regional parks in the area, make sure you check the park rules before visiting. There is a basic DOC campsite available at Tawharanui, which is situated just 100m back from the beach – we suggest booking in advance for the summer months as there are limited sites available.

There are several walking tracks throughout the park for those looking to explore, including approximately 9km of mountain bike track. The walking tracks vary in length and difficulty, so be sure to read up on them at the Information Site located near Anchor Bay. For nature lovers, Tawharanui is now home to many endemic and native bird species that were released here as part of the Open Sanctuary. You can either visit the bird colonies dotted around the park or attend a guided Native Bird Spotting tour that runs in the evening and promises a high possibility of spotting a Kiwi. Tawharanui Peninsula Unbeknownst to many visitors making their way to Tawharanui Regional Park, there are a couple of hidden gems along the Peninsula. Baddeleys Beach, Buckletons Beach and Campbells Beach are all sheltered bays that are perfect for families. With views across the Hauraki Gulf, these lovely little bays are also popular with boaties who can launch straight from the beach. Whilst there are no camping facilities in the area, Baddeleys Beach has public toilets and changing rooms available for those looking to settle in for the day.

Omaha Beach - By Dominey Flores

HOLIDAYING WITH FAMILIES

So long as the sun is shining, you won’t struggle to come up with ways to entertain the kiddies. If the kids are tired of playing in the surf Omaha Beach, there are plenty of bike-friendly tracks running the length of the beach, passing playgrounds and tennis courts along the way. At Tawharanui, the playground is provided by nature with several rock pools and caves for the kids to explore during low tide.

Matakana Country Park is another excellent place for the kids to expel some energy. There is a petting zoo, pony rides, a miniature train ride, and a playground for the young ones. Over the Summer, Action Ninja World is open and is great for older children and the young at heart. For the adults, there’s a small selection of retail and a popular art gallery, along with a restaurant, café and bar. If the weather is being uncooperative or you simply feel you need a break from the beach, the Matakana Cinemas is a great option for the whole family. The three-theatre boutique cinema shows a wide selection of films from Hollywood blockbusters right through to small art-house productions.

THE MATAKANA VILLAGE FARMERS’ MARKET

The Matakana Village Farmers’ Markets are so popular that they deserve a little section all to themselves. What was once a local timber yard is now home to these famous markets every Saturday morning. With live music, local artisan food and produce, fresh flowers and locally roasted coffee, it definitely pays to put aside a couple of hours and head along with an empty basket and an even emptier belly.

Whether you’re looking for ceramics, a great book, beautiful flowers or some designer duds, the Matakana Village has a beautiful selection of boutiques open every day. If you then carry on along Matakana Valley Road, you will find more stylish shops selling homewares, gifts and clothing. Once you arrive at Omaha Beach, you can pick up any last-minute holiday essentials from the small selection of shops near the Surf Life Saving Club. Here you will find a Superette, café, gift and homeware store, depending on your idea of “essential”, and a real estate agent. There is a local Four Square with a post office in Matakana, however, if you need to stock up for an extended length of time, there are two large supermarkets in nearby Warkworth.

SAVOUR

Thanks to its Tuscany-Esque climate, the Matakana Coast boasts one of the country’s most diverse selections of wine varieties. Most of the local wineries offer tastings (some by appointment only), and there are a few local businesses that run guided wine tours.

If you prefer your drinks hops based, there are now a couple of different craft breweries in the area, each with its own version of a cellar door.

As you make your way to Omaha from Warkworth, you are surrounded by orchards and crops growing a variety of seasonal fresh fruit and veg. It is highly recommended to make sure you have room in your boot and change in your car so you can make the most of the many roadside stalls along the way.