Things to do in Matakana and Matakana Coast
Saltings Estate is ideally located on the coast in Sandspit, Matakana. This magical spot is the gateway to the Hauraki Gulf and a mere forty five minutes north of Auckland city. Here in this heavenly haven, you can totally relax and do absolutely nothing or you might of course be tempted to spoil yourself with a beautiful facial at Claudia's Alegria Beauty Farm. Although we are only ten minutes from the historic town of Warkworth and the quaint Matakana village we are a world away from noise and traffic.
Private tours of Saltings Estate's biodynamic vineyard are offered by Terry the owner and viticulturist. He will explain how we cultivate the vineyard and the reasons we do this form of viticulture. This will be followed by a tasting of our wines with an anti-pasta platter. It is a wonderful and informative experience for those with an interest in wine. Advance bookings for the tour are essential to ensure that Terry is available. We charge $30 per person for groups of six or more and $45 per person for less than six people.
We are close to all the local wineries, beaches, golf courses, fabulous bars, cafes, restaurants, sculpture and art trails, shops, the Morris & James Pottery and the three boutique cinemas at Matakana for the odd rainy day. The famous marine reserve at Leigh is twenty minutes away and the ferry for Kawau Island leaves just down the road from us at the Sandspit wharf.
Highly recommended are The Vintry Wine Bar, Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, Plume Restaurant, Charlies Gelato, Alegria Beauty Farm and the Brookview Tea House.
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Matakana Kayaks
This is a fun thing to do around here. On a calm day some people kayak over to Kawau island and have a pic-nic at Mansion House before returning back to the mainland.
There are so many stunning beaches with safe swimming close by and the regional parks and islands of the Hauraki Gulf are well worth exploring for those looking for surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving or boating and fishing adventures.
Tawharanui regional park, Kawau Island and Goat Island Marine Reserve are all within easy travelling distance from the Saltings.
You can go for a beautiful one hour walk to the beach, through the bush from the Saltings. The beach is only ten minutes away and there is a cute cafe on the Sandspit jetty. From the camping ground on the water's edge, you can walk along the shoreline or up through the scenic bush tracks from Sandspit to Horseshoe Bay and Brick Bay with their tranquil and pristine beaches. |
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The Saturday morning markets at Matakana are great fun with live music, delicious food cooked to order and fresh local produce with which you can create your own gourmet delights in the well appointed kitchen in your apartment at The Saltings. |
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| Great Food in local restaurants |
Fishing and boating on the waters by Kawau Island |
Bush walk from Sandspit |
Morris & James Pottery |
Golf at Warkworth & Omaha |