Matakana Escape

An hour north and a world away from Auckland, is the Matakana coast. Once the 'fruit bowl of Auckland' – its landscape is now home to thriving wineries, artists' enclaves and unique cottage industries. Matakana is where Aucklanders go to escape the bustle of the city. If you'd like to spend a day marvelling at unspoilt countryside, browsing boutique shops and galleries, and exploring riverside towns and tranquil beaches, then this tour is for you.

We will collect you from the wharf and drive northbound, leaving the city behind and watching the scenery become increasingly rural, as houses yield to farms, country villages and national parks.

We soon arrive at the tiny hamlet of Puhoi. Colonised in 1863 by Bohemian settlers, the village has retained its cosy atmosphere as home to some of New Zealand's most beautiful settler buildings; including the famous Puhoi pub, and what may be the world's smallest library! Past Puhoi is the Honey Centre, boasting New Zealand’s largest display of live bees and a huge range of native honeys to taste and buy.

In Matakana village we discover how local entrepreneurs have turned a sleepy country hamlet in to a thriving artisan community – with its boutique shopping, art galleries, local crafts and vibrant Saturday market. Then the nearby Morris and James pottery beckons us. During an informative and enjoyable 30-minute tour you’ll learn how local clay is used to create beautiful, handcrafted pots, wall art and sculptures.

After a leisurely lunch in Matakana or the picturesque town of Warkworth (own expense), we head towards the coast and the Goat Island Marine Reserve. Created in 1975, its role in scientific research and ‘no-take’ policy allows many species to flourish here. A variety of marine life is regularly spotted at Goat Island, including dolphins, orca, whales and even sharks! To witness this abundance at close quarters, a trip in a glass-bottomed boat is included, where you’ll encounter myriad sea creatures (or as we Kiwis call them, ‘Fush’). Later, choose to relax on the shore or swim from the sandy beach.

Following an easy boardwalk – guarded by two huge, ancient Kauri trees – we explore a stand of regenerating native bush to experience the sights, sounds and scent of our forests, as they were before European settlement.

Nearby is Warkworth's original gaol house, the tiny Mahurangi Post Office and huts inhabited by US servicemen during WWII. Have your photo taken in the village stocks… and claim a brush with the law when you get home!

Finally, we visit a pretty, peaceful beach during an easy journey back to downtown Auckland and your hotel or cruise ship.

This tour usually visits the Goat Island marine reserve. However in inclement weather we instead visit Sheep World for the hugely entertaining sheep and sheep-dog show