| Just one hour's drive north of Auckland is Matakana | | | | miniature train rides. |
| district; a region blessed with beautiful beaches, lush | | | | With more than 20 boutique vineyards, it's no |
| countryside, boutique wineries, market gardens, lively | | | | wonder Matakana has gained a reputation for world |
| cafés and fine-dining restaurants. | | | | class wines and sensational food. |
| Matakana Village is the hub of the region with its mix | | | | If you only visit one winery while in Matakana, make |
| of original, renovated township buildings and the | | | | sure you visit Ascension. This multiple award-winning |
| newly developed Matakana Village Complex. | | | | wine estate and restaurant dares to be different yet |
| Every Saturday, Matakana Village Farmer's Market | | | | gets it right every time. Ascension specialises in |
| swings into life. The place for serious foodies, savour | | | | hand-crafted wines using grape varieties rarely found |
| a spiced hot chocolate while browsing through stalls | | | | outside Matakana and their popular restaurant, the |
| replete with fresh organic vegetables, free-range | | | | Oak Grill, marries their wines with food to perfection. |
| eggs, freshly baked breads, homemade sausages and | | | | For a unique experience, visit Heron's Flight, the only |
| locally produced meats, relishes and cheeses. | | | | vineyard in NZ that specialises in Italian grapes. Over |
| A wander around the village will uncover a world of | | | | the years, the vineyard has evolved into a Tuscan |
| culinary pleasures. Matakana Patisseries is a much | | | | style farm and restaurant where vines intermingle |
| loved local haunt and is famous for its pies, artisan | | | | with figs, mulberries and olive trees. |
| breads, french pastries and 'melt in the mouth' | | | | Matakana Coast is known for its stunning scenery, |
| chocolate éclairs. For the best coffee and | | | | rolling hills and pristine beaches. |
| home-made muffins in town, stop by Black Dog | | | | Goat Island Marine Reserve is a must visit. Teeming |
| Café. Blue, Matakana's organic ice-cream | | | | with fish and other sea life, the best way to |
| café, makes mouth watering ice creams, | | | | experience what's on offer is by snorkelling and diving |
| sorbets and smoothies. A cone of their signature | | | | or if you want to stay dry, taking a cruise on a glass |
| blueberry organic ice-cream is a must. | | | | bottom boat. |
| Take morning or afternoon tea at the Brookview | | | | Further north lies Pakiri beach, 30km of beautiful, |
| Teahouse for a delightful experience of exquisite | | | | undeveloped, pristine white sand beach. The road to |
| sandwiches, small cakes, tarts and pastries. At the | | | | Pakiri Beach is a windy metal road but absolutely |
| Vintry, enjoy the wines of the region without driving | | | | worth the drive. Go walking or experience this coastal |
| to the wineries. Tucked away by the Matakana | | | | wonderland on horseback with Pakiri Horse Back |
| Cinema, the Vintry offers local Matakana wines by | | | | Rides. |
| the glass or bottle. | | | | You can also enjoy the surf at Omaha, sail at Kawau |
| Matakana is also the home of internationally known | | | | Island, soak in the hot pools at Waiwera Thermal Spa |
| Morris and James Pottery and Tile Works. Beautiful | | | | Resort or enjoy the splendour of the Matakana |
| handcrafted and glazed terracotta pots, tiles, plaques | | | | district's 3 regional parks; Tawharanui, Mahurangi, and |
| and wall art, free pottery tours and Cosi, their | | | | Scandrett's. These parks provide some of the |
| licensed courtyard café and bar are among | | | | region's most beautiful white sand beaches, rolling |
| the many reasons to pay a visit. | | | | pastures, shingled bays, native coastal forest and |
| And if you are visiting with kids, there's the Matakana | | | | wetlands. |
| Country Park; a farm and equestrian theme park | | | | Matakana is a region abundant in life's pleasures so |
| featuring playgrounds, a petting zoo, horse riding and | | | | spoil yourself and make sure you visit Matakana soon. |