Matakana is a small village in the Rodney district, about one hour north of Auckland, that has grown into a genuinely good day trip destination over the past decade. The weekly Saturday market, a cluster of boutique wineries, the extraordinary Sculptureum sculpture park, and nearby Omaha Beach give the area enough variety for a full day out of the city. It’s unhurried, mostly uncrowded outside summer weekends, and has a quality of food and wine that punches well above its size.
Practical Information
| Distance from Auckland CBD | Approximately 1 hour by car via SH1 north |
| Matakana Market | Saturdays, 8am–1pm — food, produce, artisan goods |
| Wineries | Brick Bay Wines, Heron’s Flight, Ascension Vineyard and others |
| Sculptureum | 800+ sculptures across 6 gardens — entry fee applies |
| Omaha Beach | White sand surf beach, 15 minutes from Matakana village |
| Best days to visit | Saturday for the market; any day for wineries and beach |
Matakana Village Market
The Matakana Farmers’ and Artisan Market runs every Saturday from 8am to 1pm in the village square. It’s a high-quality market — the produce is genuinely local, the food stalls are well above average, and it draws a loyal crowd of Aucklanders making the drive for the morning. Stallholders include growers from the surrounding Rodney district, artisan bakers, smoked fish, cheesemakers, flower growers and craft vendors. The village’s café strip is active on market mornings too.
Wineries
The Matakana wine region produces cool-climate varieties well-suited to the area’s maritime climate. Brick Bay Wines has an excellent restaurant and sculpture trail on the property. Heron’s Flight is one of the older vineyards in the area and focuses on Italian varieties including dolcetto and sangiovese. Ascension Vineyard has a restaurant and cellar door open on weekends. Most cellar doors require bookings for tastings, especially on weekends.
The Sculptureum
The Sculptureum is a large private sculpture park near Matakana village with more than 800 works spread across six themed gardens. The collection ranges from large-scale outdoor pieces to gallery spaces with fine art and jewellery. There’s a café on site. Entry fees apply and the park is open Thursday to Monday — check ahead for current hours and prices. It’s one of the more unusual attractions in the Auckland region and worth a half-day visit on its own.
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach is a long, straight surf beach about 15 minutes’ drive from Matakana village. The beach has white sand, clear water and a consistent shore break. It’s primarily a residential beach community with a surf club and some café options near the northern end. In summer it gets busy with holiday-makers, but outside January it’s relatively quiet. Swimming between the flags is recommended — there can be rips on the more exposed sections.
What Visitors Say
“The Saturday market is worth the drive on its own — really good food stalls, local produce and a lovely atmosphere. We followed it up with a tasting at Brick Bay and lunch, then Omaha Beach. Perfect Saturday.”
— TripAdvisor review, Matakana Market
“The Sculptureum is genuinely impressive — didn’t know what to expect but the scale of the collection is extraordinary. Allow 2–3 hours at least. The café has good food too.”
— Google review
Where to Learn More
Matakana Village Farmers’ Market
Official market website with stallholder information and market day details.
The Sculptureum
Details on the sculpture gardens, entry, opening hours and the on-site café.
Brick Bay Wines
Cellar door, restaurant and sculpture trail information.
Auckland NZ — Matakana
Overview of the Matakana region from the official Auckland tourism site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Matakana from Auckland?
About 1 hour by car via SH1 north through Warkworth, then east on Matakana Road.
When is the Matakana Market?
Every Saturday, 8am to 1pm, in the Matakana Village square.
What wineries can I visit near Matakana?
Brick Bay Wines, Heron’s Flight, and Ascension Vineyard are the most accessible with cellar doors. Bookings are recommended for tastings on weekends.
What is the Sculptureum?
A large private sculpture park near Matakana with 800+ works across six themed gardens, plus a café. Open Thursday to Monday — check current hours and entry fees on their website.
Is Omaha Beach good for swimming?
Yes — long white sand beach with clear water. Swim between the flags; there can be rips on exposed sections. It’s about 15 minutes’ drive from Matakana village.
Is Matakana worth visiting outside Saturday?
Yes — the Sculptureum, wineries and Omaha Beach are all accessible any day. The village is quieter without the market but has cafés open throughout the week.
Matakana is one of Auckland’s best Day Trips. Also north of Auckland: Goat Island Marine Reserve and Whangaparāoa Peninsula.