Matakana turns a day trip into a mini adventure. You’re leaving Auckland for a full 9-hour loop where wine tastings and chocolate happen alongside art in a real coastal landscape.

I love the way the art stops are built around Brick Bay Sculpture Trail and Sculptureum, so you’re not stuck staring at a wall. One thing to consider: you’ll do some self-guided walking outdoors, so pack comfy shoes and a light jacket.

Key highlights at a glance

• Private, temperature-controlled pickup from central Auckland keeps the day relaxed from minute one
• Two locally owned vineyards plus lunch with matching wines at The Glass House
• Sculptures in native bush at Brick Bay, designed for slow wandering and photos
• Sculptureum mixes art and nature, and the walk can include classical music
• Chocolate Brown and Charlies Gelato give you two classic Matakana food hits

Matakana Art and Vineyard Day: why this combo works

Matakana is one of those places where the food scene isn’t separate from the scenery. This tour builds the day like a good itinerary should: first you fuel up with chocolate, then you settle into wine country, and only after that you take your time with art in a natural setting.

The best part is the pacing. You’re not sprinting between stops. Each chunk of the day has a purpose—tasting, lunch, walking art trails, then a sweet finish—so you end the day feeling like you actually experienced Matakana, not just checked boxes.

If you’re the type who likes variety (wine and outdoor art), this is a strong match. It’s also a practical choice if you want help handling timing and transfers from Auckland, without joining a large group.

Getting started in Auckland: private pickup, Wi-Fi, and a calm start

The day begins with pickup in the Auckland CBD, starting from the Mövenpick Hotel Auckland. The tour is private, so it’s only your group traveling together in a temperature-controlled minibus.

What matters here is comfort and control. For a 9-hour day, the vehicle setup makes a difference: air-conditioned rides, onboard water, and complimentary high-speed internet (plus Wi-Fi) mean you can stay relaxed and prep your camera roll on the way out.

Start time is 9:00 am, and the day ends back at the meeting point in Auckland Central. That loop is helpful if you want the evening free without figuring out transport back from the coast.

Chocolate Brown: a sweet start that sets up the whole day

Matakana’s food culture is easiest to enjoy when you start with something fun. Your first food stop is Chocolate Brown, where the mood is basically a vintage-style sweet shop.

This is not just a quick snack stop. It’s a dedicated handmade chocolate tasting, which gives you a chance to sample and compare flavors rather than grabbing one bar and moving on. Chocolate tasting also works well before lunch and wine—your palate isn’t flat yet, and you haven’t jumped straight into heavier food.

Practical tip: if you’re the kind of person who likes to buy items to take home, have your camera ready and keep a little patience for browsing. The time here is short but not rushed.

Wine country lunch at The Glass House: the meal + the view pairing

Then the day shifts gears into the main event: wine and lunch. You’ll enjoy lunch at The Glass House, a stop known for its lake-side setting—so you’re eating with a view, not just in a restaurant room.

Lunch is described as a platter with matching wines. This is the kind of format that works for different tastes: you get a selection style meal, and the wine pairing helps you understand what you’re drinking without needing a wine degree.

If charcuterie-style boards and pairing flights are your thing, this lunch tends to hit the right note. One guest highlight was how much they enjoyed the board-style food and how easy it was to find a wine they wanted to buy afterward—Pinot Gris was specifically singled out as a bottle that was loved enough to take home for a birthday.

For you, the value is simple: you’re getting food and wine in one guided sitting, plus the scenic setting that makes the whole Matakana day feel special.

The two-vineyard tasting: what you gain by doing more than one

This tour includes wine tasting at two locally owned vineyards. Doing two stops instead of one can make your day more rewarding, because you’re comparing styles and winemaking choices across different settings.

The way it’s set up matters. You’re not just sipping random glasses and hoping it all blurs together. You’re given a tasting experience in proper vineyard settings, and the tour’s flow keeps the momentum moving toward the art part of the day.

Important practical note: alcohol is included, and you must be 18+ with a valid photo ID to consume it. If you’re bringing friends who aren’t drinking, the tour still makes sense because you can focus on lunch, scenery, and chocolate stops.

Brick Bay Sculpture Trail: slow walking in native bush (and better photos)

Now you get to the part that feels like a nature break rather than a museum visit. At Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, you walk through a sculpture trail in a landscape of native vegetation.

This is where the tour earns its “art + nature” promise. Instead of standing in one location, you’re moving through the park at your own pace. That matters for photos, because the light changes as you walk, and sculptures framed by plants and water create more interesting compositions than a single straight-on shot.

The route is self-guided. That’s a plus if you like control over timing—you can take a long look at one piece or move faster if you’re photo-focused. It’s also a drawback if you’re expecting a fully guided walking narration the entire time. You still have a guide escort for the overall tour, but this specific part is on you.

Wear footwear you trust. The trail is outdoors, and the tour recommends comfortable clothes and sensible shoes for walking.

Sculptureum: art inside a nature setting with classical music

Next up is Sculptureum, another art stop designed around the relationship between art and the outdoors. Think of it like an art gallery you can’t fully separate from the environment, because your walk and viewing happen in a nature-focused setting.

One detail worth highlighting: the art walk can include classical music. That little touch changes the feel. It’s not just a visual experience—it becomes atmospheric, the kind of soundtrack that makes you slow down and pay attention to what you’re seeing.

This portion lasts about 2 hours, which is long enough to browse carefully without feeling like you’re being rushed. It also gives you a breather from tasting and sitting—switching your senses from palate to eyes and ears.

Charlies Gelato: Matakana’s sweet finish

After all that art and wine country walking, you end with dessert. Charlies Gelato is described as an institution in Matakana, and the stop is built around tasting: gelato, sorbetto, and seasonal options made from fresh produce.

This is a smart final move. Wine can leave your palate a little tired, and chocolate earlier in the day already warmed up your sweet-tooth. Gelato gives you a different texture and a cold reset before the drive back to Auckland.

Plan this as your last treat of the day. If you’re thinking of ordering something complex, remember you’ll still be traveling afterward, so keep it something you can enjoy without rushing.

Logistics that actually matter on a 9-hour day

Here’s what I’d keep in mind if I were planning this day for myself:

• Bring sun protection and a warm layer. The day includes outdoor walking, and conditions can shift. Even if it feels mild at pickup, you’ll likely be out near sculptures and water features.
• Use a camera or phone with a good camera. The scenery, lake views, and outdoor sculpture settings are photo-friendly.
• Don’t overpack the day with extra plans. Pickup is 9:00 am and you return to Auckland Central later in the evening. Build in downtime afterward.
• Dietary needs: possible, not guaranteed. Special dietary requirements are catered for upon request, but preferences can’t be guaranteed and depend on availability. If this matters to you, request early and be specific.

Also, because this is alcohol-included, make sure your ID is in a pocket you can grab fast. Nothing ruins a nice day like a preventable moment of confusion.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

At $588.92 per person, this isn’t a budget outing. The reason is that you’re buying a bundle: private transfers from Auckland, guided escort, temperature-controlled transport, admissions at art sites, and a full food-and-drink program.

To judge value fairly, look at what’s included:

• Private return transfers and onboard comforts (water, Wi-Fi, air-conditioned minibus)
• A full lunch with matching wines at The Glass House
• Wine tasting at two locally owned vineyards
• Chocolate tasting plus time to browse the chocolate shop
• Admission to self-guided walking at Brick Bay Sculpture Trail and Sculptureum
• A dessert stop at Charlies Gelato

If you were trying to stitch this together yourself—driver, tastings, timed admissions, and a coherent lunch plan—the cost can add up quickly. The real question for you is whether you want the convenience of a planned, private route where you don’t handle coordination.

This makes the price easier to justify for couples or small groups who value comfort and don’t want the stress of self-driving and figuring out timing between multiple stops.

Who should book this Matakana private day?

This tour makes sense if you:

• Want art and nature in the same day as wine and food
• Prefer a private format with pickup and drop-off from Auckland Central
• Like tasting experiences with structured timing
• Want enough time at Sculptureum and the sculpture trail to actually enjoy the walking pace

It might be less ideal if you:

• Want only guided narration on every minute of walking (these art trail sections are self-guided)
• Have limited tolerance for outdoor walking, even if it’s described as short and optional at times
• Want a very early start (9:00 am is solid, but it’s still a full day)

Children are welcome with the condition that those 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour is described as suitable for people of all ages and average fitness—just follow the footwear and clothing guidance.

Should you book?

If you’re planning a visit to Auckland and you want a day that feels more like a curated experience than a checklist, I’d say this is worth serious consideration. The mix of two vineyard tastings, lunch with matching wines at The Glass House, and the sculpture walks creates a day with clear variety and strong payoff for people who like both food and creative spaces.

Book it if you can do a full 9-hour day, enjoy outdoor strolling, and don’t mind the premium price for private transport and included tastings. If you’re the type who wants to DIY every detail, you might be able to cobble together similar stops—but it’s hard to match the simplicity and pacing.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 9:00 am, with pickup from Auckland Central.

How long is the experience?

The duration is approximately 9 hours.

Is this tour private?

Yes, it’s a private tour/activity with only your group participating.

Do you pick up from Auckland Central?

Pickup is offered from most locations in the Auckland CBD area, starting from the Mövenpick Hotel Auckland address listed as the meeting point.

What’s included for food and drink?

You’ll have a lunch platter with matching wines, wine tasting at two locally owned vineyards, handmade chocolate tasting, and free ice cream (gelato or sorbetto). Water and refreshments are also provided onboard.

How many wine tastings are included?

Wine tasting is included at 2 locally owned vineyards.

Can I drink alcohol on the tour?

Alcohol is part of the included program. You must be at least 18 years old and show valid photo ID to consume alcohol.

How much walking is involved?

There’s self-guided walking at Brick Bay Sculpture Trail and at Sculptureum. The tour notes that short scenic walks are optional, and comfortable walking footwear is recommended.

Are dietary requirements accommodated?

Special dietary requirements can be catered for upon request. You’ll need to advise at the time of booking, and preferences cannot be guaranteed because it depends on availability.

What is the cancellation policy?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.