Brick Bay Matakana: Sculpture Trail, Wine, The Glass House & Complete Visitor Guide
Last checked: August 2026
There are places where you visit for the wine.
Others where you go for lunch.
And others where the attraction is the landscape.
Brick Bay manages to combine all three — and then puts contemporary New Zealand sculpture through the middle of it.
Located near Snells Beach on the Matakana Coast, Brick Bay brings together a boutique vineyard, one of New Zealand's best-known outdoor sculpture trails, native bush, lakes, pasture and The Glass House restaurant in a single destination.
It is one of our favourite places in the wider Matakana region.
Not because it is on our Vintage Views Matakana tour.
It isn't.
We recommend Brick Bay because it deserves to be recommended.
If you're independently exploring Matakana — particularly if you enjoy art, wine, food or walking — Brick Bay can easily occupy several hours of your day.
Brick Bay at a Glance
Where: 17 Arabella Lane, Snells Beach, Auckland
What: Sculpture trail, vineyard, wine tasting and restaurant
Sculpture Trail: Approximately 2km
Allow for trail: Around 1–1½ hours
Dining: The Glass House
Wine tasting: Available daily
Family friendly: Yes
Wheelchair access: Restaurant yes; full Sculpture Trail no
Trail booking: Generally not required
Restaurant booking: Strongly recommended
Open: Seven days
Best for: Art, food, wine, couples, families and Matakana day trips
Official website: Brick Bay
Brick Bay currently opens from 10am daily, with published closing times of 4pm Monday–Friday, 9pm Saturday and 5pm Sunday. Last entry to the Sculpture Trail is one hour before closing.
Opening arrangements and events can change, so check Brick Bay directly before making a special journey.
What Is Brick Bay?
Brick Bay is one of those places that doesn't fit neatly into one category.
It is a vineyard.
It is a restaurant.
It is an outdoor art gallery.
It is a walk through regenerating native landscape.
And, perhaps most importantly, it works as a complete destination rather than requiring you to choose between those things.
The property combines vineyards, olive groves, pasture, wetlands, lakes and native bush with a changing exhibition of contemporary New Zealand sculpture.
At its heart sits The Glass House, an architectural restaurant cantilevered over a lake.
You can come simply for the Sculpture Trail.
You can stop for wine.
You can book lunch.
Or you can combine everything and quite easily spend half a day here.
That is the version we'd recommend.
The Brick Bay Sculpture Trail
Art that changes with the landscape
The Sculpture Trail is the centrepiece of Brick Bay.
Rather than placing artworks inside a conventional gallery, Brick Bay uses the landscape itself as the exhibition space.
The approximately 2km walking trail passes through native bush, open pasture, vineyard areas, wetlands and around lakes, with large-scale sculptures positioned throughout the property.
The result feels very different from walking through an indoor museum.
The setting changes the artwork.
And the artwork changes the way you look at the setting.
How Many Sculptures Are at Brick Bay?
This is actually a good example of why current destination information matters.
Brick Bay is not a fixed collection.
Works are regularly added, removed or relocated, and the official website describes the Sculpture Trail as an evolving exhibition.
Brick Bay's current pages variously refer to more than 60 and more than 70 works, reflecting the changing exhibition.
So rather than obsessing over an exact number:
Expect dozens of substantial contemporary works throughout the 2km trail.
And don't assume what you saw on a previous visit will be exactly what you see next time.
That's part of the attraction.
Is the Art for Sale?
Much of it is.
Brick Bay describes the trail as presenting the largest selection of outdoor sculpture for sale in New Zealand, featuring contemporary New Zealand practitioners.
That creates a slightly different feeling from a permanent museum collection.
The exhibition continues to evolve.
Pieces move.
New works appear.
And serious collectors can actually acquire works they encounter on the trail.
You do not, however, need to be in the market for a six-metre sculpture to enjoy the walk.
Looking remains considerably cheaper.
How Long Does the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail Take?
Brick Bay describes the trail as roughly a one-hour experience, while its restaurant visitor information suggests allowing around 1½ hours to explore comfortably.
Our recommendation:
Allow 1½ hours.
An hour is achievable if you're simply walking around.
But you're here to look at art.
Stop.
Read.
Take photographs.
Argue pleasantly about whether something is brilliant.
Look at the landscape.
There isn't much point driving all the way to Brick Bay and treating the trail like a fitness test.
Allow longer if:
You love contemporary art
You take lots of photographs
You're visiting with children
Conditions underfoot are slower
You're combining the trail with wine tasting
You have lunch booked
For the full Brick Bay experience, we'd allow around 3–4 hours including a relaxed meal.
What Is the Walking Trail Like?
This is not a completely flat paved urban footpath.
Brick Bay says the trail includes:
Grass
Bark mulch
Pebbles
Boardwalks
Undulating terrain
Stairs
with viewing benches placed along the route. Approximately half of the trail is beneath bush canopy.
Wear proper shoes.
Normal comfortable walking shoes are fine in good conditions.
In winter or after rain, waterproof footwear is worth considering.
White designer sneakers immediately after several days of Auckland rain?
Perhaps not.
Is Brick Bay Wheelchair Accessible?
The restaurant is accessible.
The full Sculpture Trail is not.
Brick Bay currently states that the Sculpture Trail is not wheelchair accessible because of its terrain and stairs, although The Glass House restaurant is accessible.
Visitors using pushchairs should also be aware that there are numerous stairs. Brick Bay says off-road pushchairs can be manageable, but recommends child carriers/backpacks where practical.
If accessibility is central to your visit, contact Brick Bay before travelling so staff can advise on the best current options.
Nature at Brick Bay
The sculpture may get the headlines, but the landscape deserves attention too.
Brick Bay says restoration of the property has taken place over more than 30 years, with vineyards and olive groves alongside regenerated native areas, wetlands and lakes.
Native vegetation along the trail includes species such as:
Kahikatea
Pūriri
Nīkau
Kauri
and birdlife can include kererū, pīwakawaka, tūī and occasionally kākā.
This is why we think calling Brick Bay an art gallery alone undersells it.
The landscape is not simply somewhere the sculptures have been placed.
It is a major part of the experience.
Brick Bay Wine
It would be easy for the wine to become an afterthought beside the Sculpture Trail.
It shouldn't.
Brick Bay planted its vineyard in 1995, with its first vintage produced in 1998. The vineyard currently covers approximately 4.5 hectares and is sustainably accredited.
Current grape varieties include:
Pinot Gris
Chardonnay
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Malbec
Petit Verdot
Brick Bay says production is small — around 1,000–1,500 cases annually — with an emphasis on estate-grown fruit and limited production.
That puts Brick Bay firmly into the boutique end of Matakana wine rather than large-scale production.
Wine Tasting at Brick Bay
Yes, you can taste the wines without booking a formal winery tour.
Brick Bay currently offers self-guided tastings every day, accompanied by tasting notes.
Guided tastings may also be available when staff permit, although Brick Bay says these cannot generally be booked in advance.
Current tastings start from approximately $10 per person, with one tasting fee waived for each bottle purchased.
That makes wine tasting an easy addition to a Sculpture Trail visit.
Vintage Views tip
Do the walk first.
Then sit down.
Your wine tastes considerably better when you know you don't have another 2km to walk afterwards.
The Glass House Restaurant
One of the reasons to make Brick Bay a destination, not a quick stop.
The Glass House sits dramatically above Brick Bay's lake.
Designed by architect Noel Lane, the building draws inspiration from the agricultural, horticultural and viticultural history of the land and reinterprets the traditional glasshouse.
The restaurant currently serves contemporary New Zealand food with a strong seasonal and local focus.
Brick Bay grows and produces ingredients on the property including:
Olive oil
Honey
Herbs
Greens
Edible flowers
Fruit
Macadamias
Lamb
alongside ingredients sourced from other local producers.
This is one of those Matakana venues where the location genuinely forms part of lunch.
Current Glass House Dining Times
As checked in August 2026, Brick Bay currently publishes:
Brunch: 10am–11:15am
Lunch: 11:30am–3pm
Grazing: From 3pm
Saturday dinner: 5:30pm–9pm
These times can change with seasons and special events.
Book ahead.
Brick Bay specifically recommends advance reservations for The Glass House, particularly if dining is an important part of your visit.
The Sculpture Trail itself generally does not require advance booking.
Sculpture Trail Ticket Prices
As checked in August 2026, Brick Bay currently publishes the following trail prices:
Adult
Trail only: $18
Dining at Brick Bay: $15
Senior 65+
Trail only: $15
Dining: $12
Student with ID
Trail only: $15
Dining: $12
Child 5–17
Trail only: $12
Dining: $9
Under 5
Free
Family Pass — 2 adults + 2 children
Trail only: $52
Dining: $44
The discounted dining rate is a nice incentive to combine the walk with The Glass House.
Prices can change, so check the official Brick Bay site before relying on them for budgeting.
Do You Need to Book the Sculpture Trail?
Generally:
No.
Brick Bay currently says visitors can simply arrive for the trail.
However:
Book The Glass House if you want to eat.
The restaurant is a destination in its own right and advance reservations are strongly recommended.
For groups of ten or more, contact Brick Bay through its group booking service rather than arriving unexpectedly with a small army.
Brick Bay Opening Hours
Current published Brick Bay hours are:
Monday–Friday
10am–4pm
Saturday
10am–9pm
Sunday
10am–5pm
The final Sculpture Trail entry is one hour before closing.
Brick Bay also periodically closes for maintenance and operates special events, so check the current official visitor page before a dedicated trip.
Where Is Brick Bay?
Brick Bay is located at:
17 Arabella Lane
Snells Beach
Auckland 0920
New Zealand
Brick Bay describes the drive as approximately 50 minutes north of Auckland in light conditions, via Warkworth and the road towards Sandspit/Snells Beach. It specifically recommends allowing additional travel time on summer weekends.
We strongly agree with that last part.
“An hour from Auckland” is a useful geographic description.
It is not a legally binding promise from the motorway.
If you have a lunch reservation, leave plenty of margin.
Brick Bay From Matakana Village
Brick Bay sits south-east of Matakana Village near Snells Beach, making the two very easy to combine in the same day.
A particularly good Saturday itinerary is:
Farmers’ Market → Matakana Village → Brick Bay → coast
or:
Heron’s Flight → lunch at Brick Bay → Sculpture Trail
The distances around the wider Matakana Coast are manageable by car, but attractions are spread out enough that you still need a proper transport plan.
What Should You Combine With Brick Bay?
Matakana Village
Shopping, food, cafés and the Saturday Farmers’ Market.
Read our Complete Matakana Village Guide →
Matakana Farmers’ Market
If it's Saturday, start early at one of the region's signature experiences.
Read our Farmers’ Market Guide →
Heron’s Flight
For a very different boutique wine experience specialising in Sangiovese and Dolcetto.
Read our Heron’s Flight Guide →
Sculptureum
If you're having an art-focused day, Brick Bay and Sculptureum make an interesting pair.
Snells Beach
Brick Bay is actually closer to Snells Beach than central Matakana, so it makes an easy coastal addition to your visit.
Our dedicated Snells Beach Guide is coming as we expand the Vintage Views Matakana Coast hub.
Sandspit
Continue towards Sandspit for harbour scenery and connections towards Kawau Island.
Warkworth
Brick Bay is also easy to incorporate into a broader Warkworth and Mahurangi day.
Brick Bay or Sculptureum?
This is one of the comparisons we'd expect people planning Matakana to search.
They're not the same experience.
Choose Brick Bay if you want:
Outdoor sculpture
A substantial countryside walk
Vineyard scenery
Native bush
Wine tasting
A destination lunch
Art integrated heavily with landscape
Choose Sculptureum if you want:
A larger overall art collection
Indoor galleries as well as outdoor areas
More variety of artistic styles
A more concentrated attraction experience
Better wet-weather flexibility
Which do we prefer?
Wrong question.
If art interests you and you have enough time:
Do both.
But preferably not at a sprint.
Sculptureum can absorb 2–3 hours and Brick Bay can easily absorb another 2–4 once lunch is involved.
Trying to properly experience both plus four wineries and a beach in one afternoon is how good holidays turn into logistics exercises.
Brick Bay or a Traditional Winery?
Again, it depends on what you want.
If your sole objective is:
Taste five wines and move on
there are simpler options.
Brick Bay works best when the attraction is the combination:
Art.
Landscape.
Food.
Wine.
Walking.
You could easily visit Brick Bay without drinking any wine at all and still have a worthwhile experience.
That's part of what makes it such a useful Matakana destination for groups with different interests.
Is Brick Bay Good for Children?
Yes, with realistic expectations.
The outdoor setting and changing artworks make the trail considerably more engaging for many children than a conventional gallery.
Brick Bay also offers a children's menu at The Glass House.
However, remember:
This is still an art exhibition.
Children need supervision.
The route is approximately 2km.
There are stairs and uneven surfaces.
And the sculptures are not automatically playground equipment simply because they're outside.
For younger children, consider whether everyone in the family is comfortable with the walking distance before setting out.
Is Brick Bay Good in the Rain?
It depends how much rain.
The Sculpture Trail is fundamentally an outdoor experience.
Around half of the trail benefits from bush canopy, but the terrain includes grass, mulch, pebbles and boardwalks, and Brick Bay itself recommends waterproof footwear in winter.
Light showers?
Put on a jacket.
Heavy rain?
We'd probably prioritise The Glass House and choose a more indoor-focused Matakana attraction such as Sculptureum or Matakana Cinemas for the rest of the day.
The landscape is one of Brick Bay's greatest assets.
Visit when you can actually enjoy it.
Brick Bay in Winter
Don't dismiss it.
Winter gives Brick Bay a completely different atmosphere.
Native bush, water, art and a long lunch can work extremely well on a crisp Matakana day.
The practical difference is footwear.
After wet weather, expect the outdoor route to behave like an outdoor route.
Brick Bay also operates seasonal dining and event programmes, so check its current What's On information when planning a winter visit.
Brick Bay on a Matakana Day Trip From Auckland
Brick Bay can comfortably be the centrepiece of a day from Auckland.
A good itinerary might be:
Morning
Leave Auckland before traffic builds.
10:00am
Arrive Brick Bay.
10:15am
Walk the Sculpture Trail.
11:45am–1:45pm
Lunch at The Glass House.
Afternoon
Choose one direction.
Towards Matakana
Matakana Village → winery → Omaha
or
Towards the coast
Snells Beach → Sandspit → Warkworth
The important thing is not trying to collect attractions like Pokémon.
Pick a few good places.
Enjoy them.
Can You Visit Brick Bay Without Drinking Wine?
Absolutely.
You can come purely for:
Art
Lunch
Nature
Walking
or some combination of them.
Wine is an important part of Brick Bay, but it does not define the entire experience.
That's one of its strengths.
Groups at Brick Bay
Brick Bay actively caters for group visits and promotes specific group, corporate and educational experiences.
Large groups should contact the venue ahead of time. The restaurant currently directs groups of 10 or more towards its dedicated group-booking options.
This is particularly relevant if you're arranging:
Staff days
Corporate outings
Social clubs
Birthday groups
Private Matakana trips
Conference activities
Vintage Views also offers private Matakana transport, so while Brick Bay isn't on our regular scheduled itinerary, we can potentially incorporate it into a bespoke private day.
Does Brick Bay Host Weddings?
Not currently.
This is important because plenty of older Matakana wedding information online can create confusion.
Brick Bay's current venue information states that, because of the scale of its present Glass House operation, it no longer hosts weddings.
It does continue to offer other private and corporate event options.
For currently operating wedding venues, use our:
Ultimate Matakana Wedding Guide →
This is exactly why we're keeping our Matakana guides updated rather than simply leaving old venue information online indefinitely.
Is Brick Bay on the Vintage Views Matakana Wine Country Discovery?
No.
Brick Bay appeared in some of our early planning as we developed the tour.
The final itinerary is different.
Our scheduled Matakana Wine Country Discovery currently includes:
Heron’s Flight
Hosted Matakana wine tasting.
Smiths at Matakana Country Park
Light lunch, included drink and free time.
Sculptureum
A curated art experience, gourmet sample and drink.
with return travel from Auckland aboard Dorothy, our vintage London Routemaster.
Brick Bay is not part of that scheduled itinerary.
See the Matakana Wine Country Discovery →
So Why Does Vintage Views Recommend Brick Bay?
Because we're trying to build the best Matakana resource we can, not pretend the only worthwhile places are the ones on our own bus route.
Brick Bay is one of the major attractions of the Matakana Coast.
If you're self-driving and have half a day available:
Go.
If you're spending a weekend in Matakana:
Put it on the shortlist.
If your priority is outdoor art, wine and a destination lunch:
Put it very high on the shortlist.
And if you'd rather spend another day seeing a different side of the region without driving yourself, that's where our own tour becomes relevant.
Those are two different products.
Both can be good.
Our Ideal Brick Bay Visit
If we were going independently, we'd do this:
Arrive around 10am.
Before the middle of the day gets busy.
Walk the Sculpture Trail.
Allow about 90 minutes.
Lunch at The Glass House.
Book ahead.
Taste some Brick Bay wine.
You're already there.
Then go somewhere completely different.
Head to the beach.
Explore Warkworth.
Visit Matakana Village.
Or just go home after lunch feeling like you've actually had a day away.
Not every itinerary needs nine stops.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brick Bay
Where is Brick Bay?
Brick Bay is at 17 Arabella Lane, Snells Beach, Auckland 0920.
How long is the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail?
Approximately 2km.
How long does the Sculpture Trail take?
Brick Bay describes it as around an hour, but elsewhere recommends allowing approximately 1½ hours. We recommend 1–1½ hours for most visitors.
How many sculptures are there?
Brick Bay operates a changing exhibition rather than a fixed collection. Current official pages refer to more than 60–70 works, and pieces are regularly added, moved or removed.
Is Brick Bay open every day?
Yes. Brick Bay currently publishes opening hours seven days a week, beginning at 10am.
What are Brick Bay's current opening hours?
As of August 2026:
Monday–Friday: 10am–4pm
Saturday: 10am–9pm
Sunday: 10am–5pm
Last trail entry is one hour before closing.
How much is the Sculpture Trail?
Current adult trail admission is $18, discounted to $15 when dining at Brick Bay. Child, senior, student and family prices are also available.
Do I need to book the trail?
Generally no. Brick Bay currently allows visitors to arrive without a Sculpture Trail booking.
Should I book The Glass House?
Yes.
If eating at The Glass House matters to your day, we strongly recommend booking. Brick Bay recommends advance reservations itself.
Can you taste wine at Brick Bay?
Yes. Self-guided wine tastings are currently available daily, with guided tastings sometimes available depending on staff.
What grapes does Brick Bay grow?
Brick Bay currently lists Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot among its estate varieties.
Is Brick Bay suitable for families?
Yes, although the 2km outdoor walk and terrain should be considered for younger children.
Can I take a pushchair?
Brick Bay says off-road pushchairs can be used in parts of the trail, but stairs make the route challenging and a child carrier may be easier.
Is the Sculpture Trail wheelchair accessible?
No. Brick Bay currently states that the full Sculpture Trail is not wheelchair accessible, although The Glass House is.
Is Brick Bay good when raining?
The restaurant certainly can be, but the Sculpture Trail is predominantly an outdoor experience. For heavy rain we'd prioritise another day if the trail is the main reason for visiting.
Does Brick Bay still host weddings?
No. Brick Bay's current event information says it no longer hosts weddings, although other private events remain available.
Is Brick Bay on the Vintage Views Matakana tour?
No.
We highly recommend Brick Bay for independent visitors, but our scheduled Matakana Wine Country Discovery follows a different itinerary through Heron’s Flight, Smiths and Sculptureum.
Is Brick Bay Worth Visiting?
Yes.
Very much so.
But here's the important distinction:
Don't visit Brick Bay expecting just another Matakana winery.
The wine is part of the experience.
The restaurant is part of the experience.
The sculptures are part of the experience.
The land is part of the experience.
Brick Bay works because they all belong together.
For us, it is one of the destinations that demonstrates why the Matakana Coast deserves much more than a winery crawl.
You can come here knowing almost nothing about contemporary sculpture and still have a great afternoon.
You can come without drinking wine.
You can come simply for lunch.
Or you can do the whole thing.
Our preference?
Do the whole thing.
Continue Exploring Matakana
Complete Matakana Guide
Start here to explore the wider Matakana Coast.
Matakana Village Guide
Shopping, cafés, food, cinema and village attractions.
Matakana Farmers’ Market Guide
Everything you need for Saturday morning.
Best Matakana Wineries
Compare winery and cellar-door experiences across the region.
Heron’s Flight Guide
Discover a boutique winery specialising in Italian varieties.
Sculptureum Guide
Our complete guide to another of Matakana's major art experiences.
Matakana Wedding Guide
Current venue and planning information for Matakana weddings.
Matakana Wine Country Discovery
Experience wine, food, art and the Matakana countryside with Vintage Views.
Official Brick Bay Information
For current Sculpture Trail admission, restaurant reservations, wines, events and operating information, visit the official Brick Bay website.
Vintage Views is an independent Auckland tour company. Brick Bay is not included on our scheduled Matakana Wine Country Discovery; we include it in this guide because it is one of the major experiences visitors should consider when exploring the Matakana Coast.
Venue details are checked periodically, but pricing, exhibitions, opening hours and experiences can change.