Explore Matakana
Matakana is a charming town on the Matakana Coast of Auckland, known for its Saturday market, boutique shops, wineries, and easy access to nearby beaches, parks, and coastal trails. Centred on the Matakana River and close to Te Araroa, it combines a relaxed rural feel with creative flair and rich local history.
The heart of Matakana is its busy Saturday market (8 am–1 pm), set between the river and town centre. It includes fresh produce, artisan foods, crafts, and live music. The town’s creative character shows in its boutiques, galleries, and architect-designed Matakana Cinemas. Quirky public toilets have become a landmark in their own right. The toilets were opened in 2009, designed by local Steffan de Haan while a first-year architecture student. Their arched forms resemble boat hulls, with sculptural faces as a nod to the town’s history and creative spirit. There is also a prominent war memorial back down the highway towards
Most of these activities are within 100 metres walking distance of the intersection of the main highway and Matakana Valley Road.
Discover the Historic Wharf and Waterfall
The toilets are on the east side of the intersection, and below this is a large reserve along a wide tidal section of the river. At the bottom of the reserve is a historic wharf that recalls the town’s days of boatbuilding. If you walk along the edge of the river towards the town centre, you will find the waterfall on the east side of the highway bridge. When it is wet enough, it is surprisingly substantial, in contrast to the gentle steam that runs next to the market. There is also a short path along the river next to the market and town centre, and under the bridge, but the view of the falls is limited.
Early Māori and European Settlement
The area was traditionally occupied by Ngāti Raupō (a hapū of Te Kawerau), Ngāti Manuhiri, and Ngāti Rongo. The government acquired land in the 1841 Mahurangi Purchase. Although much of this was subsequently reversed in expanded access for European settlement.
From the 1840s, loggers cleared kauri and other native forests, and by 1852, George Darroch’s shipyard was building wooden vessels on the river. In 1853, John Heyd’n established a sawmill at the falls, and flax was also harvested. The first public buildings, a Presbyterian school and church, opened in 1864. By the 1880s, most of the bush was gone, replaced by farmland, especially orchards.
It stayed this way for over 100 years, but more recently the town has become the centre for an influx of visitors to the Matajkana Coast.
Getting There
Matakana is about 70 km north of Downtown Auckland. Take the motorway (State Highway 1) to Warkworth, then Matakana Road directly into town. The market and town centre are well signposted, with parking nearby. It can be busy on Saturday morning, so be patient with parking.
Matakana is also a perfect base for exploring the Matakana Coast. The turnoff to Takatu for Tāwharanui is only 1.6 km along Leigh Highway, Ōmaha is 7 km east, and Leigh is 13 km northeast, all within easy reach by vehicle or bike.
