Part #5 – Matakana/Warkworth
With miles of untouched coastline, boutique wineries and galleries, the famous farmers’ markets and arguably the most beautiful white sand beaches within easy reach of Auckland City, there’s so much to discover on the Matakana Coast. It has been described as the Tuscany of New Zealand.
We are in for a treat, spending 4 nights/3 days here.
On the way from Hamilton to Matakana – we will drop Jen and Neil off at Auckland International Airport where they will leave for Perth. We will then continue on to Gulf Harbour and play the beautiful Gulf Harbour Golf Course – which has interesting holes and views to die for.
After golf we will travel little over an hour to our next destination, which is Matakana. We are staying in the beach side village of Omaha Beach. A bit of a drama with the accommodation, which is now almost over. The original accommodation that we had, has been sold and the new owners are no longer offering it as a holiday rental – which is a tad inconvenient. I do feel that the trip may be a bit “doomed” after the Cape Kidnappers announcement. But hey ho – “we will just get on with it…”
This brings me to the Trip’s catch phrase. “Just get on with it” best said in a South African accent – “Just get awn with it!” After listening to the Podcast – you will get the reference.
I highly recommend that you listen to this podcast, which is a true story about a family from Matakana – you never know we may even meet them.
Kiwi-born Ollie Wards chronicles how his brother’s whirlwind romance with a charismatic Californian con woman ultimately cost his family more than a million dollars.
With kooky plot twists to rival a Hollywood movie, the seven-episode series follows Ollie from sleepy suburban New Zealand on an international investigation spanning Hawaii, the UK and the US. The world of Lezlie Manukian is full of wild dreams, a lavish lifestyle, big loves and broken promises in exotic locations — a hall of mirrors, equal parts fantasy and real.
It soon becomes clear to Ollie that his family’s story is just one piece of a bigger jigsaw — and the only way he can put the puzzle together is by tracking down Lezlie herself.
Artisan food and wine, pristine beaches and a thriving art scene, there’s something for everyone. From the ocean to the hills, there’s so much to do on the Matakana Coast.
We will play Omaha Beach Golf Course which is a links style resort course, crafted by its designers to make the most of its stunning seaside location. Bordered by the sea on one side and a natural estuary on the other, it is a course that offers a unique and pleasant golfing experience. Native Totara, Pohutukawa, Manuka and a large stand of Kahikatea all add to the natural beauty of the course.
We will also play Wainui Golf Club which is an 18-hole championship course set in an iconic New Zealand rural back drop. The course is cut through rolling hills, natural water ways and is framed by 80-year-old statement pines and precise bunkering.
Visit the Brick Bay Winery and Sculpture Trail – The sculpture trail meanders past picturesque waterlily filled lakes, hillside vineyard, and farmland with sheep and lambs grazing. The trail then enters New Zealand native bush abundant with majestic towering trees: Kahikatea, Totara, Puriri, Nikau palms, and a precious Kauri forest. Well worth a visit.
The Sculptureum – is a MUST do, this is something you need to just “get awn with”. They have a restaurant, Art Gallery and Sculpture Gardens. See some of the photos below
We will not be short of things to do PLUS we are staying on the Beach! The house offers Kayaks and Bikes for the adventurous.