It is a short drive from Auckland to Matakana, another gorgeous wine region with more than 30 boutique vineyards and great restaurants. An easy drive – as long as you are not travelling with all the other hundreds of Aucklanders. But that is doable.
We didn’t expect to find such a beautiful spot, I have to admit. Arriving from Auckland we stopped – very late and without reservation – at Riverside Matakana. The clusters of cottages near the river depression turned out to be not only wonderfully placed, but also smart and handy. The view into the vineyard and across into the green, gentle hills could be enjoyed best on its terrace. Impressive, handy, fun!
As booked up for the weekend, we moved over to the lovely, cosy Bed and Breakfast “Matakana by the Water”. For once, not a recommendation we found in one of the local magazines, but a recommendation from Kelvin, one of the hosts.
Matakana by the water is located just across the street, on the other side of that little hill, overlooking the Matakana River and Sandspit Estuary. It is a lovely normal house offering two different accommodations, the loft and the boathouse. We enjoyed our stay in the loft, enjoying the small deck and the cosiness of the room – even though the room not exactly matches one’s imagination of a typical loft.
Where to find
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Dining in The Matakana or at the MMK or visiting one of the vineyards?We were fancy a steak, a big steak and were more than happy that Matakana has go...
Matakana CoastLess than an hour north from Auckland city you’ll find Matakana Coast with its b...