Matakana Coast Winter Getaway
MATAKANA MEMO by Liz Bays | Matakana Tours
From boutique wineries to marine reserves, a sculpture trail, conservation projects and even handmade chocolates, there’s always so much going on in the Matakana region. Passionate about all things food, wine, health and environment, I’m Liz – and I write the Matakana Memo blog to help visitors discover the very best of my beloved backyard.
With the winter school holidays fast approaching and airline prices at an all time high, 2026 is the year of appreciating what’s in our own backyard. Our region may be associated with golden beaches, coastal trails and long summer days enjoying the famous Matakana wine trail, but us locals know that there is plenty to keep the whole family busy all year round. With our subtropical climate and mild winters, there’s never been a better time to visit! Our region is teeming with activities and here in Warkworth we are lucky to be a short drive away from a fantastic collection of family friendly attractions.
Here’s our suggestion for how to spend your winter getaway in the Matakana region:
Day 1: Matakana Country Park
Matakana Country Park is a must visit. Bursting with activities including an adventure playground, go karts, pony rides and a miniature train ride, you could even take a horse-drawn carriage to get a better view of everything this 50-acre estate has to offer. Carve your own pounamu or visit the craft shop for a unique local souvenir. With plenty of on-site cafés and shops, there is truly something for every member of the family.
Day 2: Reptile Park & Ti Point
The Reptile Park at Ti Point is the only zoo in the country that specialises in reptiles. It holds New Zealand’s most diverse collection of both native and exotic reptiles, including tortoises, tuataras, lizards, alligators, iguanas, tarantulas and more! Roam through the trails at your own pace and see if you can spot all the animals that call the park their home.
After you’ve spent a few hours at the Reptile Park, drive to the end of Ti Point road to find the start of the Ti Point Walkway. This coastal path offers stunning views over Omaha Beach, Whangateau Harbour, and Little Barrier Island. If you’re lucky you might even spot some nesting penguins! Alternatively, if your little one’s legs are tired after wandering around the Reptile Park, only a few minutes away is the Matheson Bay Reserve, a beautiful beach with a playground, picnic area and toilet facilities. The calm water and postcard-like views make this the perfect spot to relax with the family.
Day 3: Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre & Sculptureum
Keeping with the animal theme, Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre is a haven for parents looking to keep their children entertained during the holidays. Boasting three holiday programme events alongside their usual selection of displays and interactive activities, a visit to the Marine Discovery Centre is an engaging and educational way to spend your morning.
The drive back to Warkworth will take you past the Sculptureum so you might as well pop into this unique, world class sculpture park. Featuring three Garden areas, five indoor galleries, and one of the finest restaurants in the area, there is a wealth of bold and bright artwork on display. The pink snails and resident animals are particularly popular amongst the younger visitors to the Sculptureum.
Day 4: Sheepworld
No visit to the Warkworth region is complete without a visit to Sheepworld. Be sure to arrive before the sheep shearing show (booking in advance advised during school holidays) and look out for the schedule of calf bottle feeding, lamb bottle feeding, and the guided feedout tour, where you can meet the animals on a tour of the farm. Don’t forget to explore the Eco-discovery trail and stop off for lunch at the café. As the top rated attraction for Warkworth on Trip Advisor, this is not to be missed!
Day 5: Highfield Garden Reserve, MonsterFun & Charlie’s Gelato
Treat the family to a day out in the popular Snells beach neighbourhood, just a ten minute drive from Warkworth. Bring some apples and carrots to the Highfield Garden Reserve so you can feed the resident donkeys. A beautiful park with stunning views over both Snells beach and Algie’s bay – with short walking trails to reach these beaches – it’s easy to see why this is a favourite among local families.
If it’s a sunny day the playground beside Snells beach is worth a visit, or if it’s raining go to MonsterFun instead. This epic indoor soft play area is the perfect place for the kids to wear themselves out on the bouncy castle, ball pits and slides.
On the way back check out Charlie’s Gelato, famous for its award-winning ice cream and sorbets. With a café and pantry onsite to peruse and make some last minute purchases of local produce, and a large garden for the children to play in, Charlie’s offers so much more than just gelato (though the gelato is pretty spectacular too).
Where to stay
Warkworth Lodge is a boutique motel conveniently located in the centre of Warkworth. With the attractions above located only a 10-30 minute drive away, it’s the perfect base to explore all that our region has to offer. Our family suites can sleep up to six guests and our studio units comfortably sleep four. Keep cosy in the evenings in front of our lounge fireplace, or warm up after a day of exploring in our spa pool. Ask us about our dog policy if you’d like to bring the entire family along!