Explore - Waha Ridge

Wineries

Eateries

Groceries

Walks

Beaches

Wellness

Our stunning backyard

Only an hour north of Auckland city and close to a myriad of stunning east coast beaches, the Matakana region is a popular getaway spot for locals and visitors alike. A foodie heaven – if you enjoy home-grown delicacies and award-winning wine then you’ll be in your element.

WINE

Wineries

Enjoy a wine-tasting tour at one of the numerous wineries in the region, especially famous for producing delicious chardonnay, pinot gris and classic red varieties of Cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. Treat yourself to a relaxed gourmet lunch overlooking the vines or take a wander through the Sculpture Trail at Brick Bay.

Offering Wine Tasting & Wine Tours just 22km from Waha Ridge.
Booking Essential, phone 0800 568 686.
568 Matakana Road

21 km from Waha Ridge.
Wine tasting and Tours and Restaurant bookings.
480 Matakana Road.
www.ascensionwine.co.nz

Located just 16km from Waha Ridge with an excellent restaurant and Sculpture Trail.
Booking essential 09 425 4690.
17 Arabella Lane, Snells Beach.

DINE

Eateries

From fine dining in vineyard restaurants to village cafés, gastropubs and funky food trucks, you’ll find creative chefs serving up mouthwatering dishes crafted from scratch and made from the highest quality local ingredients.

Established in 1879, this is worth a visit for good hearty pub grub.
5 Sales Yard Road, Puhoi. (10km from Waha Ridge).
No booking required.

Excellent food and atmosphere.

Queen Street, Warkworth. (14km from Waha Ridge).
Phone: 09 422 1862 to book during busy season.

Bar & Restaurant
Cozy dining which caters for food allergies.
16 Elizabeth St, Warkworth. (14km from Waha Ridge).
Phone 09 425 8351. to avoid disappointment.

Thai fusion restaurant. Top nosh!
Caters for food allergies.
348 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa (20km from Waha Ridge).
Phone 09 421 1123 Booking recommended to avoid disappointment.

Fine dining for that special occasion.
49A Sharp Road, Matakana. (24km from Waha Ridge)
Phone: 09 422 7915 – Booking recommended.
www.plumerestaurant.co.nz

SHOP

Groceries and supplies

Fill your larder with the freshest locally grown fruit and veg, artisan dairy products and exquisite delicatessen available from nearby food and grocery boutiques.

From the cascading cherry blossoms of spring to the riches of autumn leaves, you’ll find something to savour in every season – Artisanal food and award-winning wine, stylish boutiques and galleries, arthouse films in the magnificent cinema, or tasty treats from the Village Farmer’s Markets held every 8am-12pm Saturday.

2 Matakana Valley Road. (16km from Waha Ridge). Make time for traffic on Saturday morning.

New Zealand’s largest display of live bees, a great range of honeys for tasting and to buy, honey-related skincare products, educational tours and a good café.
honeycentre.com

Puhoi has a few interesting shops to browse. Pop in while lunching at the Pub or buying essentials at the Puhoi General Store.

109 Puhoi Rd Puhoi. 09-4220818
Opening hours 7am-7pm Mon-Sun

48 Tongue Farm Road, Matakana. (27km from Waha Ridge.)
09 422 7116
www.Morrisandjames.co.nz

EXPLORE

Local Adventures

Set against a backdrop of breath-taking coastal views, immersed in a hundred acres of bush and pasture, a stay at Waha Ridge means adventure is right on your doorstep. Say hello to our curious cows and sheep, or take a short drive or walk down Ngarewa Drive to Mahurangi Regional Park where you can walk a number of trails such as Mitre Bay Loop, or Cudlip Point.

For something a bit different, over a 90 minute harbour cruise you can learn where and how oysters are caught, grown, and harvested, receive a lesson in oyster shucking and sample them fresh on the BBQ with garlic butter.
Bookings essential. Phone 027 665 5070.
www.oysterfarmtours.co.nz

Borrow one of our paddleboards or kayaks and cool off in the beautiful Pukapuka Inlet. Swim. Climb trees. Have fun.

Swim in beautiful Sullivan’s Bay. Explore Te Muri Beach, belonging to Mahurangi Regional Park just 1km from Waha Ridge. Accessed on foot from the upper car-park above Sullivan’s Bay.
Life jackets are available.
Please book by texting/calling Beth 027-4411759.

SWIM

Beaches

Swim, surf, dive, snorkle – there is a stunning array of bays, beaches and the incredible Goat Island marine reserve within a short radius of Waha Ridge.

A 5 minute drive from Waha Ridge, the beautiful Sullivan’s Bay is calm and very safe for swimming. It has excellent toilet facilities.

For more privacy and a slightly more rustic experience just 1km from Waha Ridge, cross over the creek to Te Muri Beach, belonging to Mahurangi Regional Park.

The best way to experience the reserve and its inhabitants is to get into the water. With a mask and snorkel you can explore the sand and rocks close to shore while scuba divers can visit deeper areas further out. Divers need to be careful not to break off small fragile animals such as gorgonian fans, lace corals and sponges – some of these are hundreds of years old.In shallow areas of the reserve, particularly off the main beach, you will see many varieties of fish and shellfish. At low tide you can explore the rocky shore, taking care not to disturb rock pool creatures.
www.goatislanddive.co.nz

RELAX

Beauty & Wellness Therapies

Immerse yourself in luxurious surroundings at a serene day spa or completely relax in a rural yoga and pilates studio.

Escape to this private, rural Matakana spa sanctuary, set amongst rolling, green hills. The five minute drive from Matakana Village winding through vineyards & between ponds, will already begin to melt your stress away.
By Appointment only.
https://beautyfarm.co.nz/

Skincare, Lash & Brows, Manicure, Pedicure
At Blush, Christine specialises in Environ treatment facials (with over 20 years Environ experience) The Classic Relaxation Facial – with her specialised facial massage – is guaranteed relaxation.
https://www.blushbeautylounge.co.nz/

Facials, Massage, Anti-aging, Wellness packages
Set on a rural sanctuary on a riverside setting, where you can slow down, re-balance and de-stress.
puhoibeauty.co.nz

Located in the heart of Matakana, we are inclusive in our culture, and place importance on making sure everyone feels welcome and has a sense of belonging. A friendly, professional and peaceful environment where you can unwind, take time for you and allow life’s stresses to melt away.
https://www.oasiswellness.nz/