Matakana Coastal Getaway from Auckland

• Head North over the Auckland harbour bridge taking in views of the city Skyline Marinas and Waitemata Harbour. Track North through the beautiful coastal seaside resort towns of Orewa and Waiwera Mineral Springs.
• Stop in at the Puhoi Cheese Factory to taste some delicious cheeses made by this excellent producer. They make double and triple cream Brie, soft and wash rind cheeses, three different blue cheeses as well as Harvarti, Gouda, Gruyere, goat and Cow Feta and a vintage 4 year aged cheddar.
• Start your wine tasting at Ascension Vineyard. They produce locally grown varieties like Flora, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinotage and Tannat as well as Methode Traditionelle.
• Sees a rare 850 year old Kauri tree. The wood from these ancient trees was turned in colonial New Zealand cottages , villas, mansions, churches as well as early sailing sea vessels from around 1860.. They are New Zealand’s most revered native tree. The oldest one in New Zealand is in the Waipoua forest dating approximately 2,500 years old.
• Next enjoy a tutored tasting and an open menu one course lunch with a glass of wine at award winning Plume Vineyard Restaurant. Try the outstanding “Runner Duck” Wines all produced from their local vineyards. Syrah, Pinotage and Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Rose’ wines make up the list.
• In the afternoon visit stuning Tawharanui regional park for magnificent views of Little Barrier Island, Coromandel and the Hauraki Gulf. This park is a Kiwi and rare bird sanctuary and is fully protected.
• Finally try some locally made chocolate samples from “Chocolate Brown” in Warkworth town. Try three different chocolate praline sample halves. This chocolate company makes an enormous range of hand made world class pralines, and fudges from curvature they source from around world.