Matakana Wine Country Discovery
Wine. Food. Art. Coast. One unforgettable day from Auckland.
There is more to Matakana than wine.
So we created a tour that shows you more.
Leave Auckland behind for a relaxed full-day journey through the beautiful Matakana Coast, combining one of the region’s most interesting boutique wineries, great local food, free time in the countryside, extraordinary art and one of New Zealand’s most distinctive ways to travel.
Welcome to the Matakana Wine Country Discovery by Vintage Views.
Your day begins in central Auckland aboard Dorothy, our genuine 1960s London Routemaster double-decker, before we head north along the coast towards Matakana.
Along the way you’ll taste wine at Heron’s Flight, enjoy lunch and a drink at Smiths, explore Matakana Country Park, discover a taste of Sculptureum, and — most importantly — have enough time to actually enjoy where you are.
No designated driver.
No planning.
No rushing between six different stops.
Just a bloody good day out.
[BOOK THE MATAKANA WINE COUNTRY DISCOVERY]
The Matakana Day Trip We Wanted to Take Ourselves
Matakana is close enough to Auckland for an easy day trip, but different enough to feel like you’ve properly escaped the city.
Vineyards replace office blocks.
Country roads replace motorways.
Lunch becomes something to linger over.
And around almost every corner there seems to be another little gallery, cellar door, local producer or beautiful piece of countryside waiting to be found.
We wanted to create a Matakana experience that captures that feeling.
Not simply a wine tour.
Not a bus racing between attractions.
And not an itinerary where every minute of your day is accounted for.
The Matakana Wine Country Discovery combines some of our favourite ingredients of the region — wine, food, art, scenery and time to explore — into one easy day from Auckland.
And getting there is half the fun.
Your Day at a Glance
Departs: Auckland CBD
Pickup: Outside Mövenpick Hotel Auckland, Customs Street East
Destination: Matakana Coast
Experience: Full-day tour
Group size: Maximum 40 guests
Transport: Genuine vintage London Routemaster double-decker
Your day includes:
Return vintage bus journey from central Auckland
Scenic drive north via the Ōrewa coast
Hosted wine tasting at Heron’s Flight
Light lunch at Smiths
Included drink with lunch
Free time at Matakana Country Park
Sculptureum experience
Included drink at Sculptureum
Gourmet kitchen tasting
Selected Sculptureum gallery experience
Relaxed return journey to Auckland
Everything is organised. You simply need to come along and enjoy it
Auckland to Matakana
The journey is part of the day.
We meet outside the Mövenpick Hotel in central Auckland before climbing aboard Dorothy and leaving the city behind.
Rather than simply taking the quickest road north, our journey takes us towards the Ōrewa coast, giving you a taste of Auckland’s northern coastline before we turn towards the rolling countryside of Matakana.
Grab a seat upstairs.
Watch the scenery change.
Meet the people you’ll be spending the day with.
And settle into the rather unusual experience of travelling through rural New Zealand aboard an unmistakably red London double-decker.
The tour has begun long before we reach our first tasting.
First Stop
Heron’s Flight
Matakana wine with an Italian accent.
Our first destination is Heron’s Flight, one of the pioneers of the Matakana wine region.
Established in 1987, Heron’s Flight has taken a very different path from most New Zealand wineries. It is dedicated exclusively to the Italian grape varieties Sangiovese and Dolcetto, with the wines produced on site at its Matakana vineyard.
That difference is exactly why we chose it.
This isn't just about standing at a counter and drinking a few samples.
Heron’s Flight specialises in tutored group tastings that explore the history of wine in Matakana, the origins of its Italian grape varieties and the decisions that led the vineyard to concentrate on Sangiovese and Dolcetto.
There are stories here.
And the people pouring the wine actually know them.
Enjoy your tasting, learn a little about the region and discover wines that you may not have expected to find growing an hour north of Auckland.
If a bottle particularly takes your fancy, you’re welcome to purchase wine directly from the cellar door.
Then it’s back aboard Dorothy.
We have lunch waiting.
Next Stop
Smiths at Matakana Country Park
Lunch. A drink. And absolutely no need to rush.
Our next stop brings us to Matakana Country Park, where we settle in at Smiths.
Smiths is laid-back Matakana done properly: good food, a broad drinks selection and a setting that feels a very long way from central Auckland.
Its drinks offering deliberately showcases Matakana wine alongside tap and craft beers and Smiths’ own cocktail selection.
Here we'll enjoy a light lunch and an included drink as part of your tour.
No complicated vouchers.
No trying to work out what is included.
Sit down, have something to eat, order your included drink and enjoy yourself.
And if you'd like another drink or something additional from the menu, you're welcome to order more at your own cost.
Then we give you something increasingly rare on organised tours:
Free time.
After lunch, there is no whistle and immediate march back to the bus.
Matakana Country Park is yours to explore for a while.
Have another drink.
Browse the shops.
Visit the gallery.
Pick up something local.
Explore the grounds.
Take some photographs.
Or do absolutely nothing.
The park brings together hospitality, arts, shopping and other activities across its countryside setting, making it a natural place to simply wander and see what you find.
That freedom is intentional.
We want you to experience Matakana rather than merely be transported through it.
Final Experience
Sculptureum
And then Matakana gets a little strange.
Just when you think you have Matakana figured out, we arrive at Sculptureum.
Calling Sculptureum an art gallery doesn't really do it justice.
This is a world of colourful contemporary pieces, unexpected objects, sculpture, gardens and art that can be beautiful, strange, funny, thought-provoking — and occasionally all four at once.
The wider Sculptureum collection contains more than 800 artworks across indoor and outdoor spaces, with works and influences ranging from major international names to wonderfully unconventional pieces made from unexpected materials.
It's one of those places that is difficult to explain until you actually walk through the door.
Which makes it an excellent final stop.
Our Sculptureum experience includes:
A drink
A sample from the gourmet kitchen
A specially selected gallery experience
This isn't intended to be a hurried attempt to complete every metre of Sculptureum.
The full attraction can easily occupy around two hours on its own.
Instead, we've incorporated a taste of Sculptureum into our Matakana day — enough time to discover why it has become such a remarkable part of the region and perhaps give you a reason to return and explore the entire property another day.
Have a drink.
Taste something good.
Then go and look at something you probably weren't expecting to see in rural Auckland.
It is a fittingly unusual finale to the day.
And Then?
Nothing.
And that's rather nice.
There are no more bookings to make.
No directions to follow.
No argument over who is driving.
No motorway to concentrate on.
Climb back aboard Dorothy, find your favourite seat and relax as we make our way back towards Auckland.
Talk about the day.
Look through your photos.
Finish whatever you bought along the way.
Or simply watch New Zealand roll past the window.
We'll return you to central Auckland, right back where the adventure began.
This Isn't a Winery Crawl
And we don't want it to be.
If your idea of a perfect Matakana tour is racing between as many cellar doors as physically possible, this probably isn't the tour for you.
There are companies that do that very well.
We wanted to create something different.
One memorable winery.
Rather than several rushed tastings.
A proper lunch stop.
Rather than food squeezed in between appointments.
Free time.
Because sometimes the best part of travelling is finding something nobody scheduled for you.
Art.
Because Sculptureum adds something completely unexpected to the traditional Matakana day trip.
The coast and countryside.
Because getting to Matakana should be part of experiencing Matakana.
And Dorothy.
Because if you're going to spend part of your day travelling, you might as well travel in something with a bit of personality.
The result is a tour that's about Matakana rather than simply about wine.
Meet Dorothy
Your ride for the day is nearly as memorable as the destination.
Dorothy isn't a modern coach painted red.
She is a genuine 1960s London Routemaster double-decker that has traded the streets of Britain for a considerably more relaxed life in Auckland, New Zealand.
And she attracts attention everywhere she goes.
People wave.
Children point.
Phones appear.
People who haven't seen a Routemaster for 40 years suddenly have a story to tell you.
That's part of the Vintage Views experience.
We believe transport can be more than simply the bit between attractions.
On the Matakana Wine Country Discovery, Dorothy isn't just how we get to Matakana.
She's part of the day.
Head upstairs.
That classic elevated double-decker view is particularly good once Auckland begins to disappear and the coastline and countryside take over.
Prefer downstairs?
Settle into the character of a traditional Routemaster cabin and watch the world go by.
And no — Dorothy is not open-top.
You get the view without requiring Auckland's weather to cooperate.
What's Included?
Your Matakana Wine Country Discovery includes:
Vintage transport
Return travel from Auckland CBD aboard Dorothy, our classic London Routemaster.
Scenic coastal journey
Travel north towards Matakana via the Ōrewa coastal route.
Heron’s Flight wine tasting
A hosted introduction to one of Matakana's distinctive boutique wine producers.
Lunch at Smiths
A light lunch at Matakana Country Park.
Included drink
Enjoy a drink with your Smiths lunch.
Free time
Explore Matakana Country Park at your own pace.
Sculptureum
A selected gallery experience at one of Matakana's most unusual attractions.
Gourmet tasting
A sample from the Sculptureum kitchen.
Sculptureum drink
One included drink during our final experience.
Hosted day
We'll look after the logistics so you don't have to.
What Isn't Included?
Additional food and beverages beyond the specifically included items are at your own expense.
Wine, gifts, art, souvenirs and anything else that accidentally follows you home from Matakana are also yours to pay for.
Who Will Love This Tour?
Auckland visitors
You've seen the Sky Tower and the waterfront.
Now see what lies beyond the city.
Matakana gives you wine country, coast, countryside, food and art without requiring another flight or a rental car.
Auckland locals
You've probably said:
“We really should go up to Matakana sometime.”
This is sometime.
Leave the car at home and let us organise the day.
Couples
Wine, lunch, countryside and art.
We've done most of the planning for you.
Groups of friends
Perhaps most importantly, nobody has to be the designated driver.
Food and wine lovers
Especially if you're more interested in discovering somewhere with a story than ticking ten wineries off a list.
Art lovers
Sculptureum gives this itinerary an entirely different personality from a traditional wine tour.
Visitors who hate being rushed
We deliberately haven't tried to squeeze half of Rodney into one day.
Three main experiences.
Time to enjoy them.
That's the idea.
Why Visit Matakana from Auckland?
Because Auckland doesn't stop at the CBD.
The wider region contains beaches, wine country, regional parks, villages, food producers, galleries and some extraordinary landscapes.
Matakana is one of the easiest ways to experience another side of Auckland in a single day.
And perhaps more importantly:
Matakana feels like going away without having to go very far away.
That's part of its magic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Matakana tour leave from?
The Matakana Wine Country Discovery departs from our usual central Auckland pickup point outside the Mövenpick Hotel Auckland on Customs Street East.
Full joining instructions are provided with your booking.
Is transport from Auckland included?
Yes.
Return travel between Auckland and Matakana aboard our vintage London Routemaster is included.
Is the wine tasting included?
Yes.
Your hosted wine tasting at Heron’s Flight is included in the tour.
What makes Heron’s Flight different?
Heron’s Flight was established in Matakana in 1987 and focuses exclusively on the Italian grape varieties Sangiovese and Dolcetto. Its group tastings incorporate the history of Matakana wine and the story behind its decision to specialise in Italian varieties.
Is lunch included?
Yes.
A light lunch at Smiths is included.
Is a drink included with lunch?
Yes.
One included drink accompanies the Smiths lunch.
Additional drinks can be purchased at your own cost.
Do we get free time?
Yes.
We've deliberately allowed free time at Matakana Country Park so you can explore, browse, shop, have another drink or simply relax.
Is Sculptureum included?
Yes.
Our tour includes a specially selected Sculptureum experience together with a drink and gourmet food sample.
Do we see all of Sculptureum?
No.
Sculptureum is a substantial attraction in its own right. Its full experience includes more than 800 works across indoor and outdoor spaces and typically takes around two hours to explore.
Our Matakana Wine Country Discovery gives you a curated taste of Sculptureum as part of the wider day.
Is this a wine tour?
Yes — and no.
Wine is an important part of the day, but it isn't the whole day.
Think of this as a Matakana discovery tour with wine, rather than a winery crawl.
You'll experience wine, food, countryside, art, free time and the journey itself.
How many wineries do we visit?
One: Heron’s Flight.
We've deliberately chosen one winery with a distinctive story rather than rushing you through several similar tastings.
Do we visit the Matakana Farmers' Market?
No.
The Farmers' Market is well worth visiting independently, but it isn't part of the Matakana Wine Country Discovery itinerary.
Do we visit Brick Bay?
No.
Brick Bay is another excellent Matakana destination, but it isn't part of this scheduled itinerary.
Is Dorothy open-top?
No.
Dorothy is an enclosed traditional London Routemaster double-decker.
How many people are on the tour?
Departures are limited to a maximum of 40 guests.
What if I don't drink alcohol?
Non-alcoholic alternatives can be provided. Please let us know when booking.
Can I buy wine at Heron’s Flight?
Absolutely.
Any wine or other products you choose to purchase are at your own expense.
What should I wear?
Come comfortable.
We recommend comfortable footwear as you'll spend part of the day exploring on foot.
Matakana weather can change, so bringing an extra layer is never a bad idea.
Can private groups book the experience?
Yes.
If you'd like the Matakana Wine Country Discovery for your own group, staff function, celebration or special occasion, talk to Vintage Views about private departure options.
Discover a Different Side of Auckland
You don't need to fly to another part of New Zealand to find wine country.
You don't need to rent a car.
And you certainly don't need to appoint someone as designated driver.
You just need a day.
We'll provide the bus.
We'll provide the itinerary.
Heron’s Flight will provide the wine.
Smiths will take care of lunch.
Sculptureum will provide something unexpected.
And Matakana will do the rest.