Matakana & Around

Introducing Matakana & Around

Matakana suffers from reverse alcoholism – the more wine gets poured into it, the more genteel it becomes. A few years ago it was a nondescript rural village with a handful of heritage buildings and an old-fashioned country pub. Now the locals watch bemused as Auckland’s chattering classes idle away the hours in stylish wine bars and cafés. The most striking symbol of the transition is the fantastical Matakana Cinemas (09-422 9833; www.matakanacinemas.co.nz; 2 Matakana Valley Rd; adult/child $10/8; 10am-8.30pm) complex, its domed roof reminiscent of an Ottoman bathhouse. The humble Farmers Market (8am-1pm Sat) is held in its shadow – or should that be Farmers Upmarket?

The reason for this epicurean ecstasy is the success of the area’s boutique wineries. They’re developing a name for Pinot Gris, Merlot, Syrah and a host of obscure varietals. Local vineyards are detailed in the free Matakana Coast Wine Country brochure, available from the Matakana Information Centre (09-422 7433; www.matakanacoast.com; 10am-1pm Tue-Sun) in the foyer of the cinema. In the same building, the Vintry (09-423 0251; tastings from $8.50; 10am-10pm) is a wine bar that serves as a one-stop cellar door for all the producers.

Hyperion Wines (09-422 9375; www.hyperion-wines.co.nz; 188 Tongue Farm Rd; 10am-5pm Sat & Sun) were Matakana’s trailblazers, established in 1994. Omaha Bay Vineyard (09-423 0022; www.omahabay.co.nz; 189 Takatu Rd; tastings $5, refundable on purchase; 10.30am-4.30pm Wed-Sun) is a newcomer, committed to sustainable practices. Heron’s Flight (09-422 7915; www.heronsflight.co.nz; 49 Sharp Rd; 10am-5pm) specialises in Italian varietals and has a large restaurant, as does Ascension Vineyard (09-422 9601; www.ascensionvineyard.co.nz; 480 Matakana Rd; 10am-5pm).

Brick Bay Wines is the home of the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail (09-425 4690; www.brickbaysculpture.co.nz; Arabella Lane; adult/child $10/8; 10am-5pm), an hour-long artistic ramble through the wonderfully sculpted grounds. Tastings and snacks are available at the chic café.

Morris & James Tileworks (09-422 7116; www.morrisandjames.co.nz; 48 Tongue Farm Rd; 8am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat & Sun) has a lovely courtyard restaurant and colourful ceramics for sale. There are free weekday tours at 11.30am.

The nearest swimming beach is Omaha, 7km east, with a long stretch of white sand, good surf and holiday homes. Shortly after the Omaha turn-off, the partly unsealed Takatu Rd leads to the 588-hectare Tawharanui Regional Park at the end of the peninsula. This special place is an open sanctuary for native birds, protected by a pest-proof fence, while the northern coast is a marine park (bring a snorkel). There are plenty of walking tracks (1½ to four hours) but the main attraction is Anchor Bay, one of the region’s finest white-sand beaches. Camping (09-366 2000; www.arc.govt.nz; sites per adult/child $10/5) is allowed at a basic site near the beach.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009