Hotspotz New Zealand
Travel Guide

Pakiri Beach, Goat Island, Matakana

PAKIRI BEACH
Beyond Matakana, the small settlement of Leigh, and the Goat Island Marine Reserve, is one of our favourite beaches, Pakiri Beach.  A 1½ hr drive north of Auckland, Pakiri is an idyllic 9 km stretch of white sand and surf, perfect for swimming, bodysurfing and board surfing. The water is crystal clear, tempting swimmers to luxuriate in its champagne waves.  Keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins, it is a hotspot for them as well.  We’ve even seen them surfing when surf’s up.

Pakiri Beach "Our Pick"

Pakiri Beach Horse Riding & Accommodation  $130 - $600
Two basic but charming self-contained cabins nestled in the sand dunes and a beach house.
Rahuikiri Road  +64 9 422 6275

If you enjoy horse trekking, Pakiri Beach Horse Riding offers a selection of part-day and multi-day packages.

Goat Island "Our Pick"

Twelve kilometres south of Pakiri Beach is Goat Island, New Zealand's first marine reserve (1975). This is a fantastic spot to snorkel or scuba dive, or to explore the rock pools at low tide.  During peak holiday periods, glass bottom boat tours operate in the Reserve.

Leigh Sawmill Cafe & Brewery
NZ/International cuisine, summer 7 days, 10am-late, winter: Thu 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-late.
142 Pakiri Road, Leigh  +64 9 422 6019

Goat Island Dive
Offer a variety of scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking options.
142A Pakiri Road, Leigh  +64 9 422 6925

Tera del Mar Country B&B  $295 - $350
Two storey old Victorian style building in with 4 guest rooms set on Pakiri Ridge. Has coastal and countryside views.
140 Rodney Road, Leigh  +64 9 422 6090

Matakana Accommodation "Our Pick"

Matakana House Motel  $110 - $160
16 Studio & 2 bedroom units, some self-contained.
975 Matakana Road, Matakana  +64 9 422 7497

The Cottages  $230
Two stand-alone, self-contained cottages with rural & water views. 91 Ridge Road, Scotts Landing  +64 9 422 3518

Riverside Matakana  $260 - $410
170 Green Road  +64 9 422 3518

The Saltings Guesthouse  $265 - $365
Three guest rooms in this boutique bed & breakfast or two self catering apartments set among the vines.
1210 Sandspit Rd, Sandspit  +64 9 425 9670

Sandpiper Lodge  $299 - $495
Overlooking a tidal estuary this B&B Boutique Hotel has seven luxury guest rooms, restaurant, pool and gardens.
841 Takatu Road  +64 9 422 7256

Matakana Restaurants & Cafes "Our Pick"

Black Dog Coffee & Country Kitchen
Cafe Food, open daily from 7am - 3.30pm.
23 Matakana Valley Road  +64 9 422 9130

Tapiano Bar & Bistro
NZ/Med. cuisine, brunch Sat-Sun, lunch Wed-Fri, dinner Tue-Sun,
2 Matakana Valley Road  +64 9 423 0383

Lunches at:

Heron's Flight Vineyard & Restaurant  +64 9 422 7915

Ascension Vineyard & Bistro  +64 9 422 9601

Morris & James Pottery & Tileworks +64 9 422 7484

WARKWORTH/MATAKANA
The charming river-side village of Warkworth, one hour’s drive north of Auckland, is the gateway to Matakana Coast Wine Country.  A worthwhile destination in its own right, Warkworth is also the main service centre for the surrounding region.  Just south of town, boardwalks through the Parry Kauri Park offer up-close access to New Zealand’s most magnificent trees. The road from Warkworth to the East Coast passes one of the region’s foodie paradises, Matakana, where specialty food outlets complement the weekly Farmers’ Market.  Matakana’s boutique wineries produce notable pinot noir, syrah and merlot, and vineyard cafes regularly host outdoor summer music concerts. The Brick Bay Vineyard fosters the connection between art and wine with its 2 km Sculpture Trail, featuring an ever-changing display of 25 to 30 works by New Zealand artists.  The concept is ‘Art and Wine Entwined’, and you’d be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable combination.  Afterwards, you can stop for olive and wine tastings or a platter made to share in The Glass House, a stunning, award-winning combination of glass, steel and coloured Perspex which straddles the original dam bar.  The three-cinema complex at the Matakana Village Cinemas offers one of the most delightful movie experiences in the country.  Each of the theatres is individually decorated, their décor so voluptuous they will satisfy the most outrageous tastes.

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