Matakana Art & Vineyard Experience incl. Lunch & Wine Tasting Tour From Auckland

Art, wine, and chocolate make fine companions. This full-day private outing from Auckland combines boutique vineyard tastings, a lunch platter at The Glass House, handmade sweets, gelato, and two very different sculpture settings. I especially like the unusual mix of native bush and contemporary sculpture, plus the relaxed pace created by private transport and optional short walks. The main drawback is the price: at $588.92 per person, this is a serious splurge, and the day may feel food-heavy if you prefer active sightseeing.

You leave Auckland at 9:00 a.m. and return after roughly nine hours, with pickup and drop-off in central Auckland. The vehicle includes air conditioning, WiFi, refreshments, and a local English-speaking escort. Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, and a jacket, since the outdoor parts depend on the weather.

Key details before you book

• A private Matakana day from Auckland: Your group has its own minibus, guide, and return transport, with pickup offered from central Auckland locations.
• Two sculpture settings with different moods: Brick Bay pairs art with native bush, ponds, and vineyard views, while Sculptureum offers galleries, gardens, and a calm art-focused setting.
• A proper lunch with wine: The Glass House provides a lunch platter with matching wines and views over a shimmering lake.
• A sweet start and finish: Chocolate tasting comes early, followed by handmade gelato, sorbetto, or Italian-style ice cream at Charlies Gelato.
• A gentle walking day: The sculpture visits involve self-guided walks, but the scenic walks are short and optional.
• A polished private-tour price: The cost includes admissions, tastings, lunch, transport, refreshments, WiFi, and taxes, but you should still decide if that level of convenience suits your budget.

Leaving Auckland for the Matakana Coast

The day begins at the Mövenpick Hotel Auckland on Customs Street East at 9:00 a.m. Pickup is also offered from most Auckland CBD locations, and you can contact the operator if your exact location is not listed.

That central meeting point is practical if you are staying in the city. A private return transfer matters here because Matakana is best reached by road, and you avoid arranging separate transport between several rural stops. You also do not need to think about parking after wine tasting.

The minibus is temperature controlled and air-conditioned, with onboard WiFi, water, and refreshments. Those are modest details, but they make a difference over a nine-hour day. You can settle in, watch the Auckland countryside change, and keep your attention on the scenery rather than directions.

The tour is private, so only your group participates. That gives you more flexibility than a large coach excursion, though the schedule still follows a planned route. The local English-speaking escort remains with you throughout the day.

Chocolate Brown brings a sweet opening

The first stop is Chocolate Brown, where you get about 30 minutes to browse and sample handmade chocolate, artisan sweets, fudge, and other classic treats.

The shop is described as having the feel of a vintage sweet shop, which gives this stop a playful start. It is not a long tasting session, so think of it as a generous introduction rather than a full chocolate workshop. You can sample high-quality sweets and see the sort of food production that helps give Matakana its gourmet reputation.

This stop suits anyone with a sweet tooth, but it can also be useful for choosing edible gifts. Since the tour includes a later gelato stop, the day has a definite dessert theme. If you prefer savory food or wine over sweets, 30 minutes should be enough without taking over the whole outing.

Brick Bay combines wine, lunch, and art in the bush

Brick Bay Sculpture Trail is the main stop, with about three hours set aside for the property. This is where the day begins to feel distinctive. The sculpture trail winds through native bush and natural surroundings, bringing contemporary New Zealand sculpture into an outdoor setting rather than keeping it inside a white-walled gallery.

The walk is self-guided. That means you can take your time with the works, pause for photographs, and move at a comfortable pace rather than staying beside a guide every minute. The tour information calls the walks short and optional, but you still need sensible walking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness.

One especially unusual feature is music in the forest. Classical music accompanies part of the art walk, creating a different mood from a standard vineyard visit. It is an unexpected detail, and it helps explain why this stop can feel more memorable than simply looking at sculptures beside a road.

Brick Bay also brings food and wine into the same setting. The tour includes wine tasting at locally owned vineyards, and lunch is served at The Glass House overlooking a lake. The meal is a lunch platter with matching wines, so you should expect a grazing-style meal rather than a multi-course restaurant lunch.

That format works well for a private day. You can try several items, pair them with the wines, and enjoy the view without rushing through a formal menu. One particularly strong point is the charcuterie board. It has received especially warm praise, and the pairing with wine makes it one of the culinary highlights.

The wine selection focuses on boutique producers and highly regarded local bottles. One guest enjoyed the Pinot Gris enough to buy two bottles for a birthday party. If you find a bottle you like, ask about taking it home, though any purchases are separate from the tour price.

The three-hour allocation covers several elements, so the stop may feel full. You have the sculpture trail, lunch, wine, and time for views and photographs. If art is your main reason for booking, you may wish the walk had more time. If food and scenery matter just as much, the combination makes good use of the afternoon.

The Glass House makes lunch part of the scenery

Lunch at The Glass House is not simply a break between attractions. It is one of the reasons this experience costs more than a basic sightseeing transfer.

You get a lunch platter with matching wines in a vineyard setting, with a lake visible from the dining area. The food is built around sharing and sampling, which fits the relaxed character of a private tour. You can enjoy the charcuterie, local produce, and wine without needing to choose a single main course.

This is also where the tour works well for people who like their sightseeing with comfort. You are not being asked to carry a packed lunch or find a restaurant during a busy day. The food and wine are already arranged, and the guide can keep the day moving.

The limitation is that dietary preferences must be requested when you book, and special requests are subject to availability. The operator says special dietary needs can be catered for upon request, but they are not guaranteed. Mention allergies and restrictions early.

You must be at least 18 and show valid photo identification to consume alcohol. That is important for mixed-age groups, since the tour is open to people of different ages but wine tasting is limited by New Zealand’s age rules.

Sculptureum shifts the mood from bush to gallery

The next major stop is Sculptureum, with about two hours to explore. This is another art-and-nature setting, but it offers a different experience from Brick Bay.

Where Brick Bay focuses on a trail through native bush, Sculptureum is described as a blend of art, galleries, gardens, wildlife, ponds, and water lilies. The result is more of a quiet art park, with plenty to notice beyond the sculptures themselves.

The walk is also self-guided. You can set your own pace and concentrate on the parts that interest you most. Some people will spend more time with the art, while others will prefer the gardens, ponds, and open views. The setting gives you a chance to slow down after lunch and wine tasting.

This is a good place for photographs. Bring a phone or camera, since the tour specifically allows time for scenic views and art-focused pictures. The combination of large-scale works, water, plant life, and open space gives you more variety than a standard indoor exhibition.

The two sculpture visits justify the art focus of the tour, but they also create a possible concern. If you are only mildly interested in sculpture, five hours across two art properties may feel like a lot. The experience is a stronger match for people who enjoy design, outdoor art, gardens, and quiet rural settings.

Charlies Gelato closes the food trail

Charlies Gelato provides the final tasting stop before the return drive. You get about 30 minutes for gelato, sorbetto, or Italian-style ice cream.

The shop is considered a local institution in Matakana, and its offerings include seasonal fresh produce as well as frozen desserts. The stop gives the day a cheerful finish and provides something different from the chocolate and wine earlier on.

You can choose rich gelato or a lighter sorbetto, depending on how full you are after lunch and chocolate. That choice matters because the tour gives you several food tastings in one day. If you are already satisfied, a small serving or fruit-based option may be the sensible move.

The timing also works well before the return to Auckland. You get one final local taste, then board the minibus for the journey back to the central Auckland meeting point.

What the $588.92 price really covers

At $588.92 per person, this is not a budget day trip. You are paying for a private experience rather than a simple route between attractions.

The price includes:

• Private return transportation from Auckland
• Pickup and drop-off in central Auckland
• A local English-speaking escort
• Air conditioning and temperature control
• WiFi and onboard refreshments
• All fees and taxes
• Admission to Brick Bay and Sculptureum
• Chocolate tasting
• Wine tastings at two locally owned vineyards
• Lunch platter with matching wines
• Gelato, ice cream, or sorbetto

That is a substantial package. If you paid separately for two art attractions, transport, lunch, multiple tastings, and a private guide, the cost would add up quickly. The private format is especially valuable for a couple, family, or small group that wants a more personal day without driving after wine tasting.

Still, value depends on your priorities. A person interested mainly in Auckland museums or beaches could spend far less elsewhere. You are paying for convenience, food, art, and a carefully linked day in the Matakana region. The price makes the most sense when your group values comfort and wants several experiences handled in one booking.

Breakfast and dinner are not included. Eat breakfast before pickup, since the first included food stop is chocolate and the main meal comes later at The Glass House.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you like combining several small pleasures rather than spending a full day on one attraction. It suits couples, families with older children, private groups, and visitors who want wine without renting a car.

You should also be comfortable with gentle outdoor walking. The walks are short and optional, and most people with average fitness can take part, but shoes with a decent grip are a smart choice. Bring sun protection and a warm layer. Matakana weather can change, and the tour includes time outside.

Art lovers get the strongest reason to book. The two sculpture parks are not filler stops. Brick Bay and Sculptureum offer different settings, and the classical music in the forest adds a memorable touch.

Food-focused visitors also have plenty to look forward to: chocolate, charcuterie, boutique wine, local produce, and gelato. The day is generous with tastings, so it may not suit you if you prefer a lean, activity-heavy schedule.

Children can join, and all children aged 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. The wine component means families should think about how much of the day will appeal to younger children. Chocolate and gelato help, but the art walks remain a central part of the experience.

Practical details that make the day easier

The experience starts at 9:00 a.m. and lasts about nine hours. Plan on returning to the same central Auckland meeting point rather than being dropped at a separate destination.

Wear comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor conditions. Bring a jacket or warm layer, sun protection, and any personal items you need. A camera or camera phone is worthwhile because the route includes rural scenery, ponds, sculptures, vineyards, and lake views.

The walking is self-guided, not a strenuous hike. You can tell the guide at check-in if you have fitness concerns. The scenic walks are short and optional, but sensible footwear is still recommended.

The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase. That makes travel insurance worth considering, especially if your plans may shift. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate.

Should you book the Matakana art and vineyard tour?

Book it if you want a polished private day with art, wine, chocolate, lunch, and gelato all connected by comfortable transport. The best parts are the unusual sculpture settings, the excellent charcuterie and wine pairing, and the chance to enjoy local drinks without driving.

Skip it if $588.92 feels too high, if you want a physically active day, or if you have little interest in outdoor sculpture and galleries. For the right person, this is a special-occasion outing rather than a routine excursion. For a group sharing the cost, the private transport, admissions, food, and tastings make the package easier to justify.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at the Mövenpick Hotel Auckland, 8 Customs Street East, Auckland Central.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup starts at 9:00 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in central Auckland.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Complimentary pickup and drop-off are offered from most locations in Auckland CBD. If your location is not listed, you can contact the operator to ask about accommodation.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What food and drinks are included?

The experience includes handmade chocolate tasting, wine tasting at two locally owned vineyards, a lunch platter with matching wines, and gelato, ice cream, or sorbetto at Charlies Gelato.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a platter served with matching wines at The Glass House.

Do I need to be 18 to join?

No, people of different ages can participate. However, you must be at least 18 and show valid photo identification to consume alcohol.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable clothing and sensible walking shoes. Bring sun protection, a jacket or warm layer, and a camera or phone with camera capability.