Less than an hour north of Auckland, this Matakana Coast Wine Country stretches along meandering river valleys and a stunning coastline from Puhoi in the south to Pakiri in the north - full of magical bays and picture-perfect islands.

Snells Beach Motel gives easy access to this Warkworth/Sandspit/Matakana/Leigh area, where you can catch a ferry to Kawau Island, indulge in some food and wine tasting, or visit a range of excellent swimming beaches. The area offers wineries, boutique food operations and the chance to mellow out. The whole area has become one of the ‘must visit’ areas of New Zealand.

You’ll find a nice little cluster of activities in the Sandspit and Matakana Areas just a few minutes away. There are several craft outlets, among them Morris & James Pottery & Cafe, makers of award winning quality terra-cotta and glazed pots, tiles, and platters. Its open daily with free guided pottery tours Monday through Friday at 11.30am. Dont miss Brick Bay Wines & Sculpture Trail at Snells Beach, another fine choice for art lovers and visit Zealandia Sculpture Garden, (just south of Warkworth) , created by our leading NZ sculptor Terry Stringer, it features a fascinating sculpture park surrounded by farmland.

Stop off at the cellar doors of Ascension, Hyperion, Ransoms, Mahurangi River, Brick Bay, Omaha Bay, & Herons Flight vineyards - and try the wide range of lovely wines on offer and sample the local food platters.

The Matakana Village Farmers Market and the Country Park Market is staged every Saturday from 8am to 1pm and explore the trendy new Matakana shopping complex & boutique cinema adjacent to the market. Refresh yourself afterward at Brookview Tea House or pick up perfect bread and picnic foods from Matakana Patisserie before visiting wonderful Regional Parks, like Scandretts, Tawharanui and Mahurangi, swim or wander the many perfect surf beaches and hidden bays. A visit to Sheepworld gives you an insight into country life with sheep dog display, sheep shearing, bottle feeding lambs and more.

No trip to this area is complete without a cruise or ferry ride from Sandspit Wharf to Kawau Island. Sir George Grey, an early governor of NZ built the Mansion House 150 years ago. It’s now restored and open for visits. A wonderful days outing visiting all the bays on the ‘Mail run cruise’.

Come and see the underwater world from The Glass Bottom Boat, operating at the world renowned Goat Island Marine Reserve at Leigh. All trips have full commentary and are fun and educational for all ages. Goat Island is a wonderful way to scuba dive or snorkel amongst the Marine Reserve protected fish. It is considered the ‘best beach dive’ in NZ. Just 5 mins north of Goat Island is Pakiri Horse Riding, a magical horse ride up the deserted Pakiri Beach and through the Sand dunes.

Snells Beach Motel is a great place to stay to play golf at Warkworth Golf Club (8 mins) Omaha Golf Links (15mins) Wellsford Golf Club (25mins) or Gulf Harbour (50mins) .

Or just sit by our heated swimming pool, take in the views of Kawau Bay and the islands...... and relax!