1. Matakana
L
ess than one hour’s drive north of Auckland, Matakana stretches
along meandering river valleys and a stunning coastline from Puhoi
in the south, to Pakiri in the north.
My family and I have been coming to Matakana ever since I was
young and my has it changed a lot over the last 20 years or so! The
area has been a buzzing little place with pretty gardens and orchards
since the 19th century – the perfect countryside escape for city slickers.
Founded in 1862, Matakana was an early trading port with one of New
Zealand’s first water-powered sawmills supplying timber to local
shipwrights. Today it’s a bustling town and a premier destination,
attracting many tourists each year.
One of the main attractions in Matakana is the markets, held every
Saturday 8am to 1pm, selling local produce including fruit and
vegetables, delicious home baking, Italian-style sausages, divine organic
chocolate, fine wines, boutique olive oils, locally-brewed beer
accompanied by live music. They’re very popular, so fill up pretty
quickly. My tip is to arrive early to avoid queues and find a good
parking space. I remember visiting this market as a kid when there was
only one hall and a few stalls, but since a redevelopment in the early
1990s, this place has just exploded, along with accommodation
providers and other attractions.
Whether it’s wine tasting in the
sun, brunch at a local cafe,
viewing local art or buying fresh
produce from the famous
Matakana Village Farmers Market,
you’ll find beauty in this unique
region, as SARAH WEEKS discovers.
In fact, one of the great things about
Matakana is its accommodation – you
definitely won’t find any large-chain
hotels in this town! Think more along
the lines of luxury lodges and boutique
B&Bs. This style of accommodation
gives you that great home-away-from-
home feeling and is more personalised
as the guests are given more attention
due to the small occupancy.
Sugarloaf Lodge is a luxury B&B
lodge perched high on Sugarloaf hill
overlooking Matakana offering
delightful views out to Omaha Beach
and is less than a ten-minute drive to
Matakana village. Hosts Vanessa and
Allan Barber make you feel right at
home as their two friendly dogs greet
you upon arrival. The couple, who are
originally from Great Britain, chose this
area to build their dream home and
love sharing this special place with visitors from around the world.
The suites are modern and open out onto a deck offering panoramic
views of Matakana’s stunning countryside. Pre-dinner wine and hors
d'oeuvres are served in your suite each evening and a full cooked or
continental breakfast is served in the main lodge house each morning.
After a blissful night’s sleep at this lodge, the view that greets you in the
morning is the perfect way to start the day – refreshed and ready to
explore this beautiful region.
A short drive from Sugarloaf Lodge is Matakana Country Park, which
hosts a variety of attractions including an equestrian club, train rides
and pony rides for the kids, an art gallery and Saturday market just to
name a few. The Stables Restaurant is popular with locals and serves a
range of delicious cuisine, including fresh fish, pizzas and they even
have a kids’ menu. The country feeling of this place is reflected in the
large Scottish stone fireplaces and works of art hanging on the wall. If
you’re looking for a family-friendly restaurant with great service and
food to match, you’ve come to the right place.
Plume is the vineyard restaurant of Runner Duck Estate and is a true
delight if you’re a foodie fan. Situated on the way to Snells Beach, the
restaurant overlooks a vineyard and rolling hills and is a perfect spot to
enjoy a glass of wine in the sun. Their menu reflects local cuisine and is
a fusion of international flavours with good old kiwi-style food. Their
chefs prepare everything from scratch and they use fresh, seasonal
produce with a menu that reflects this. Guests can enjoy a casual wine
tasting from their cellar door (I recommend their pinot gris) or sit down
for lunch or dinner. One dish I must recommend is their famous
dessert to share – chocolate mousse, biscotti and summer fruits all
served in a tall glass – delicious!
Speaking of sweet things, Charlies Gelato Garden is a great stop for
a tasty treat. The orchard has been picking and selling fresh berries
since 1992 and has recently added a gelato shop to their business.
Offering a range of different flavours made from fresh locally produced
ingredients including new inventions like Easter egg, visitors can enjoy
eating their gelato in the garden setting at the back of the shop. It’s
a great place to bring the family and cool off from the hot sun.
The Matakana region is famous for their wineries and Hyperion is
one of the originals still going strong. Winemaker John Crone set up
this boutique vineyard and winery with his wife Jill in 1994. The tiny
home vineyard produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Pinot
Noir with all fruit processed on site, which John is more than happy to
show visitors. Their merlot is very tasty and has even won gold medals
at various wine awards. John also runs a local three-bedroom cottage
that overlooks vineyards in the Matakana valley, ideal for a weekend
away. He’ll even welcome you with a bottle of wine for good measure!
Waimana Point is a stunning, secluded luxury lodge located on the
Matakana coast, near Algies Bay. As soon as you arrive at this
Waimana Point, wine and antipasto platter
B&B, MATAKANA COAST WINE COUNTRY
SUGARLOAF LODGE
1068 Leigh Road, Matakana,
Rodney 1241
T +64 9 422-9515 F +64 9 422-9516
M 027 475-8992
E stay@SugarloafLodge.co.nz
www.SugarloafLodge.co.nz
I m p e c c a b l y S t y l i s h B + B R e t r e a t
SUGARLOAF LODGE
1068 Leigh Road, Matakana,
Rodney 0948
T +64 9 422 9515
F +64 9 422 9516
W www.sugarloaflodge.co.nz
E stay@sugarloaflodge.co.nz
B&B, MATAKANA COAST WINE COUNTRY
I m p e c c a b l y S t y l i s h B + B R e t r e a t
SUGARLOAF LODGE
1068 Leigh Road, Matakana, Rodney 0948
T + 64 9 422 9515 W www.sugarloaflodge.co.nz
F + 64 9 422 9516 E stay@sugarloaflodge.co.nz
Magical
River running through Matakana Village
30 31June 2012, TRAVEL DIGEST TRAVEL DIGEST, June 2012

2. picturesque place, you will
be overwhelmed by the
spectacular rural and sea
views, making this a
perfect romantic getaway
or luxury honeymoon. The
great thing about this
lodge is its small size,
making it an intimate
experience. Hosts Gloria
and Geoff Collier instantly
make you feel at home
and welcome you onto
their stunning property,
that has been designed to
suit the landscape and
take advantage of the
scenic views.
The four suites are
luxuriously appointed with
fine linen, a kitchen area,
small dining table for two
people, ensuite bathroom,
comfortable lounge area,
under-floor heating and
ceiling fan. The elegantly
designed suites take in
stunning sea and rural
views and each private
patio leads to the lodge’s
garden and walkways to the beach. Guests can relax and admire the
view, savour a glass of fine local wine, or lie back with a book from the
library. The lodge also features a sauna, outdoor baths perfect for
stargazing at night, an indoor heated pool, walking tracks and petanque
– so plenty to keep you busy.
Breakfast is provided for each suite including fresh fruit, homemade
muesli, cereal, yoghurt, breads and free-range eggs and bacon. You
can prepare and enjoy your breakfast at leisure and in the privacy of
your own suite or patio. There is also a complimentary antipasto platter
provided each night before dinner and the bar in the guest lounge is
well stocked with wines, beers and spirits for you to enjoy. The lodge
also provides easy access to a private, secluded beach, perfect for a
romantic picnic for two with food and drink purchased from the local
markets and wineries. When the tide is high, kayaking is a great way to
enjoy the great outdoors and see more of the coastal area.
If you don’t have time to visit all the wineries in Matakana, then
there’s one place you can go and try all of them. You’ll even be able to
purchase them at their cellar door price. The Vintry specialises in local
wine and is a great place to end the day, watching the sunset from their
wine bar located in the heart of Matakana village. Wine tastings are
available from 10am until 5pm accompanied by cheese, crackers and
water to cleanse your palate between tastings. You’re not told which
wine you are drinking until afterwards, which is a fun way of testing your
wine knowledge. You’ll be surprised what you’ll learn here! The staff
are both friendly and helpful and can cater to your preferences and
suggest wines to try.
After a few wines you’ll have worked up an appetite for dinner and
you don’t have to look much further than Matakana Market Kitchen (or
MMK as the locals refer to it). This has to be one of the best
restaurants in the region. The food alone is a stand out for me and the
kitchen prides itself on producing high quality food made from fresh,
locally sourced ingredients. Everything is full of flavour and lovingly
prepared. The restaurant serves brunch and dinner and also has
gluten-free options, which is great. Their fish of the day is to die for –
herb-crusted hapuka with ratatouille – divine! This place is always
packed (a good sign) so make sure you book a table before arriving to
avoid disappointment.
If you’re looking for something a little different to your average
winery then Brick Bay Wines may be just the thing you’re after. More
than just a vineyard, the winery features a glass house on a lake where
you can enjoy platters and wine tastings, but also a marvellous Brick
Bay Sculpture Trail, making this an attraction in its own right. Explore
the very best of contemporary New Zealand sculpture along this trail
where you will find towering native trees, majestic palms, ordered
vineyard rows and the farm pasture beyond. Showcasing around 45
sculptures from New Zealand artists, the work of arts blend in with
their natural environment and is truly a sight not to be missed. After
you’ve worked up an appetite, you can return to the Glass House where
you can enjoy a wine tasting, coffee or shared food platter with a glass
of wine as you reflect on your experience of “art and wine entwined” at
Brick Bay.
On your return to Auckland, why not stop in at the historical village
of Puhoi situated along the beautiful Puhoi River. Puhoi Cottage
Tearooms are the oldest tearooms in New Zealand serving Devonshire
cream teas, “Kiwi style, Puhoi fashion” as owner David says! Take a
step back in time as you sit in the gardens and enjoy the peace and
tranquillity of this pretty area while eating big warm scrummy scones
served with raspberry jam and a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
Made just the way your Grandma used to make them, these are a real
treat enjoyed with nothing other than the finest Ceylon tea. A stop
here is the perfect way to kick off or conclude a weekend away in
magical Matakana. ✈
Fresh produce at Matakana Village Farmers Market
MATAKANA
32 June 2012, TRAVEL DIGEST