{"id":1481,"date":"2017-02-13T02:11:17","date_gmt":"2017-02-12T13:11:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/?p=1481"},"modified":"2018-01-01T20:48:27","modified_gmt":"2018-01-01T20:48:27","slug":"waiheke-island-alternative-matakana-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/waiheke-island-alternative-matakana-area\/","title":{"rendered":"Waiheke Island Alternative &#8211; Matakana area"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"vce-row-container\">\n<div id=\"el-013b48f4\" class=\"vce-row vce-row--col-gap-30 vce-row-columns--top vce-row-content--top\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-013b48f4\">\n<div class=\"vce-row-content\" data-vce-element-content=\"true\">\n<div id=\"el-23c8082f\" class=\"vce-col vce-col--md-100p vce-col--xs-1 vce-col--xs-last vce-col--xs-first vce-col--sm-last vce-col--sm-first vce-col--md-last vce-col--lg-last vce-col--xl-last vce-col--md-first vce-col--lg-first vce-col--xl-first\">\n<div class=\"vce-col-inner\" data-vce-element-content=\"true\" data-vce-do-apply=\"margin padding border  background el-23c8082f\">\n<div class=\"vce-text-block\">\n<div id=\"el-f514e1b3\" class=\"vce-text-block-wrapper vce\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-f514e1b3\">\n<p>Waiheke Island is just out of\u00a0Auckland city and a popular\u00a0weekend destination for Aucklanders.\u00a0But there are other options too. How about exploring the edges of the super city? If you drive only an hour north from\u00a0the city centre, you reach Matakana area, were you can take a ferry ride, explore its many beaches and enjoy the\u00a0markets, wineries and art galleries.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<style type='text\/css'>\n\t\t\t\t#sc_gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t#sc_gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\t\twidth: 49.99%;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t#sc_gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t#sc_gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\/* see sc_gallery() in functions\/theme-shortcodes.php *\/\n\t\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='sc_gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-1481 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full file'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Auckland-cropped.jpg'><img width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Auckland-cropped.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Auckland-cropped.jpg 600w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Auckland-cropped-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Auckland-cropped-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Auckland-cropped-146x146.jpg 146w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Auckland-cropped-50x50.jpg 50w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Auckland-cropped-75x75.jpg 75w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Auckland-cropped-85x85.jpg 85w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Auckland-cropped-80x80.jpg 80w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Area.jpg'><img width=\"1000\" height=\"999\" src=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Area.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Area.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Area-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Area-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Area-768x767.jpg 768w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Area-146x146.jpg 146w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Area-50x50.jpg 50w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Area-75x75.jpg 75w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Area-85x85.jpg 85w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Map-Matakana-Area-80x80.jpg 80w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<h4>How to get there<\/h4>\n<p>Having a\u00a0car makes life easier &#8211; take State Highway north to Warkworth and turn right. Head towards\u00a0Matakana for beaches and markets. Or\u00a0toward Sandspit\u00a0if you are going straight to the ferry. Stop off at\u00a0Warkworth information centre for information about the wineries and art galleries in the area.<\/p>\n<p>If you are carless, take the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.intercity.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Intercity<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nakedbus.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Naked Bus<\/a>\u00a0or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.manabus.com\/#\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mana Bus<\/a> to Warkworth. There is a local bus in the area, called<a href=\"https:\/\/at.govt.nz\/bus-train-ferry\/bus-services\/kowhai-connection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Kowhai Connection<\/a>,\u00a0but doesn&#8217;t go often. Otherwise make use of the local\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/warkworthtaxiandbus.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">taxis<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>Take a ferry ride to\u00a0Kawau Island<\/h4>\n<p>Drive to Sandspit, just outside of Warkworth, and head to the wharf which is right at the end, called Spits Landing. The <a href=\"https:\/\/kawaucruises.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ferry<\/a> leaves at 10.30am and you can return at 2pm or 4.30pm. It\u00a0costs $55 adult return. It&#8217;s best to <a href=\"https:\/\/kawaucruises.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ring beforehand<\/a> to make sure you get a spot. There were only a couple of seats available when I rang that morning, as a school group\u00a0were heading over to camp on the island.<\/p>\n<p>Kawau Island is 90% privately owned with 70% owned by one family. The locals have a game involving\u00a0putting up flags of different countries they have visited.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1519\" src=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kawau-Island-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Kawau-Island\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kawau-Island-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kawau-Island-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kawau-Island-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kawau-Island-260x146.jpg 260w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kawau-Island-50x28.jpg 50w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kawau-Island-133x75.jpg 133w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Kawau-Island.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I was dropped off at\u00a0Mansion House and explored the island until 2pm. Another option is to go on\u00a0the\u00a0Royal Mail Run which takes you all around the island and you can get a great discount by pre-booking on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bookme.co.nz\/bookings\/auckland\/activity\/kawau-island-super-cruise-royal-mail-run-return-cruise\/839\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Book Me<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The 3rd\u00a0Governor of NZ purchased the\u00a0island in 1862 and built\u00a0the mansion and gardens. There are\u00a0Weka, Wallabies and Peacocks wandering around. You can explore inside the Mansion House for $4 to learn more about\u00a0the history.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Activities on the island<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Walk to the old coppermine<\/li>\n<li>Swim at Ladys Bay<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy the food at\u00a0the cafe, found close to the\u00a0drop-off point<\/li>\n<li>Learn about the history of the island at\u00a0Mansion House<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Enjoy the\u00a0numerous beaches<\/h4>\n<p>Auckland is lucky with all the beaches in the area. There are so many\u00a0fantastic ones in the Matakana area. Below are my top favourites.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-880\" src=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/auk-382_LR-1024x532.jpg\" alt=\"auk-382_LR\" width=\"1024\" height=\"532\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/auk-382_LR-1024x532.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/auk-382_LR-300x156.jpg 300w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/auk-382_LR-768x399.jpg 768w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/auk-382_LR-260x135.jpg 260w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/auk-382_LR-50x26.jpg 50w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/auk-382_LR-144x75.jpg 144w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/auk-382_LR.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Omaha<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An easy beach to drive\u00a0to, just outside of\u00a0Matakana. It&#8217;s a little more developed than the others in this list. Omaha has surf\u00a0life-savers and\u00a0it&#8217;s usually an easier swimming beach with smaller waves. You can <a href=\"http:\/\/www.omahasurflessons.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">learn how to surf<\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.omahasurflessons.co.nz\">hire a paddle board<\/a>. There is a dairy by the main entrance for the obligatory ice-cream or visit the cafe for more food options.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tawharanui<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My personal favourite. It&#8217;s on the way to Omaha, but becomes a gravel road and is a little further to reach. There are 3 beaches you can walk along with different personalities and some great rock formations. There is also a\u00a0reserve with\u00a0walks that take you through farm land and native bush. Great views\u00a0along the coast and even a trail to\u00a0pebble beaches.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-887\" src=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Tawharanui-1024x670.jpg\" alt=\"Tawharanui\" width=\"1024\" height=\"670\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Tawharanui-1024x670.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Tawharanui-300x196.jpg 300w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Tawharanui-768x502.jpg 768w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Tawharanui-223x146.jpg 223w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Tawharanui-50x33.jpg 50w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Tawharanui-115x75.jpg 115w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Tawharanui.jpg 1764w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Goat Island<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A fishing reserve, this is the spot to go snorkelling\u00a0with\u00a0plenty of sea-life. You can also kayak, dive or take a glass bottom boat. You can hire snorkling and diving gear at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.goatislanddive.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Goat Island Dive &amp; Snorkel<\/a>. This is the area <a href=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/learning-to-dive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">I learnt how to dive<\/a>! It&#8217;s just outside of Leigh, which has some good food and accommodation options with\u00a0the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sawmillcafe.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Saw Mill Cafe<\/a>\u00a0being a popular spot\u00a0for food, drink and live music.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pakiri<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A bit more of a drive, this beach is becoming more popular with Aucklanders. The only shop is at the campground\u00a0and part of the beach is private land. It&#8217;s the perfect beach to walk along in the surf, or set-up for the day with a sun\/wind shelter and picnic. It&#8217;s a wilder beach and best to swim between the flags.<\/p>\n<h4>Enjoy the markets at Matakana<\/h4>\n<p>Craft, home-ware and food markets, there is\u00a0plenty to see\u00a0over\u00a0the weekend. On Saturdays there are two markets next to each other!<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Matakanamarkets\/?fref=ts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matakana Farmers Market<\/a> is my favourite. It&#8217;s really well presented with wooden stalls next to the river, a band and plenty of food and drink options. It&#8217;s on every Saturday from 8am to 1pm.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1520\" src=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Markets-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Markets\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Markets-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Markets-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Markets-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Markets-260x146.jpg 260w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Markets-50x28.jpg 50w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Markets-133x75.jpg 133w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Markets.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On Sundays the same venue becomes the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MatakanaSundaySessions?ref=hl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matakana Vintage\u00a0Market<\/a>\u00a0focusing more on\u00a0clothes and home-wares.<\/p>\n<p>There is also an arts &amp; crafts market right next door, behind the church which is not as well known.<\/p>\n<p>Matakana just keeps growing and changing. They have a great <a href=\"http:\/\/www.matakanacinemas.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cinema<\/a> with large\u00a0seats and trendy interior. There are some good restaurants and cafes in the area too. Matakana is an ideal base if you want to enjoy a drink or two.<\/p>\n<p>For something slightly different, you can go on a <a href=\"http:\/\/matakanarivertours.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matakana River Tour<\/a> from Matakana Wharf Road. Definitely pre-book and it&#8217;s $25 per adult for one hour.<\/p>\n<h4>Taste wine in the multiple vineyards<\/h4>\n<p>I&#8217;m still exploring the wineries in the area. I&#8217;ve asked my wine mad friends and their recommendations are below. If you want to make a day of it, you can take a wine tour from Auckland or Matakana with <a href=\"http:\/\/matakanatours.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matakana Tours.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The one winery I have managed to explore was Heron&#8217;s Flight. The owners started it themselves over 20 years ago. They would come up on weekends and stay in a caravan! The place is\u00a0very relaxed\u00a0with beautiful and peaceful view over the vineyard. They also have\u00a0THE most beautiful dog I&#8217;ve ever seen. There\u00a0is an off-grid cabin in\u00a0the vineyard and can be booked\u00a0on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.airbnb.co.uk\/rooms\/16418536\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Airbnb<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-1521\" src=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Winery-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Winery\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Winery-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Winery-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Winery-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Winery-260x146.jpg 260w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Winery-50x28.jpg 50w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Winery-133x75.jpg 133w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Winery.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Heron&#8217;s Flight Vineyard<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>David Hoskins and Mary Evans started their vineyard over 20 years ago and are still going. They are moving more towards organic\u00a0methods now. There is a restaurant in front separately owned called <a href=\"https:\/\/plumerestaurant.co.nz\/restaurant\/food-menus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Plume<\/a>.<br \/>\n49 Sharp Road<br \/>\nOpen Daily 9am\u20135pm<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.heronsflight.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.heronsflight.co.nz<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ascension Vineyard<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well known in\u00a0the area\u00a0&#8211; it is\u00a0a large winery\u00a0with <a href=\"http:\/\/ascensionwine.co.nz\/#dining\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">restaurant<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"http:\/\/ascensionwine.co.nz\/upcoming-events-ascension.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">music events<\/a>.<br \/>\n480 Matakana Road<br \/>\n11am-4pm Thursday &#8211; Monday. Late dining on the weekends.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ascensionwine.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ascensionwine.co.nz<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Omaha Bay Vineyard<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A family owned boutique vineyard and winery owned by\u00a0Hegman and Bev Foster.<br \/>\n169 Takatu Road,\u00a0Matakana<br \/>\nOpen Friday, Saturday &amp; Sunday\u00a011AM &#8211; 5PM<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.omahabay.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.omahabay.co.nz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A couple\u00a0of the wineries are adding walking trails to their land. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mahurangiriver.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mahurangi River Winery<\/a>\u00a0is in the process of adding a walking and cycling trail and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brickbay.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brick Bay Winery<\/a> has an art trail.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1526\" src=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Art-Galleries.jpg\" alt=\"Art-Galleries\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Art-Galleries.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Art-Galleries-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Art-Galleries-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Art-Galleries-260x146.jpg 260w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Art-Galleries-50x28.jpg 50w, http:\/\/travellingk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Art-Galleries-133x75.jpg 133w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>Visit art galleries<\/h4>\n<p>There is a great community\u00a0of artists\u00a0and\u00a0musicians. Some crafts are\u00a0display at the markets, but there are other venues\u00a0dotted around. Two of the main galleries are below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.artmatakana.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Art Matakana<\/a> is in\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.matakanacountrypark.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Country Park<\/a> which is just beyond Matakana. It has changing exhibitions. The Country Park is a great area to explore.\u00a0There is also a crafts shop\u00a0with a lot of locals work.<\/li>\n<li class=\"text-align-center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/thevivian.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Vivian Gallery<\/a> is beyond The Country Park, on the way to Leigh.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Have you been to the Matakana area? Is there anything that you think I should add? I would love to hear about it in the comments below!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Waiheke Island is just out of\u00a0Auckland city and a popular\u00a0weekend destination for Aucklanders.\u00a0But there are other options too. How about exploring the edges of the super<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1520,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"video","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v15.2.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Waiheke Island Alternative - Matakana area - Travelling K<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/waiheke-island-alternative-matakana-area\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Waiheke Island Alternative - Matakana area - Travelling K\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Waiheke Island is just out of\u00a0Auckland city and a popular\u00a0weekend destination for Aucklanders.\u00a0But there are other options too. 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