10 Northland Tours, With the Price Beside Each

1.Explore gardens & galleries filled with incredible art, Matakana

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 186 reviews · from $40Our pick

Visit Sculptureum in rural Matakana for three sculpture gardens and six galleries spread along 1.4km of flat paths. You will see more than 800 local and international works, from blown glass and bronze figures to giant playful sculptures. Allow up to two hours, then stop for coffee, a meal, or wine from the on-site vineyard.

“The artwork and glass art inside the building is fabulous. The gardens and the sculptures are beautiful. The driftwood sculptures of the horses and the whale are amazing. The bronze sculptures were just lovely. I loved the boy pushing the girl on the swing. The sculpture of the boy holding the dolphin is apparently an early work by Leonardo Da Vinci and is quite stunning.”

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2.Goat Island: Glass Bottom Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 46 reviews · 1 hour · from $23

Take a 45-minute narrated cruise around Goat Island Marine Reserve aboard the 49-seat Aquador. You stay dry while viewing reefs, fish, seabirds, and coastal caves through the glass floor. Wildlife varies, and dolphins, whales, orcas, and sharks are occasional visitors, not guarantees.

“How can I rate something when it was canceled and I've asked for a refund but had no response. Perhaps you need to change your review requests to those that actually happened. I didn't cancel it was you.”

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3.Matakana Scenic Coastal Getaway from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $183

John McFarlane of NZWINEPRO takes you from Auckland to Matakana for a relaxed day of wine, countryside views, and local food. Expect tastings at Matakana Estate and Brick Bay, lunch at Plume Vineyard Restaurant, and possible extras such as cheese, chocolate, honey, or scenic stops when time and availability allow.

“This was an excellent tour. John is delightful and very knowledgable. He couldn’t have been nicer. We went to two wineries and had a wonderful lunch at one of them. We got to do some chocolate tasting and were taken to a couple of scenic spots along the way. Totally enjoyable and interesting day. Would highly recommend.”

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4.New Zealand: Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 25 reviews · 1 hour · from $26

At Waipu Caves Farm Park, an English-speaking guide leads you along a 300m bush path and down 30 steps into a cave opened in 2023. You will see glowworms close up, learn about their life cycle, and walk past delicate crystal formations. Brook is one of the guides. Allow extra time for goats, tracks, food, and coffee.

“It was one of the best viewings we have done. The guides were knowledgeable and encouraged everyone’s questions. It is very worth your time to visit these caves.”

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5.Leigh: Goat Island Clear Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 16 reviews · 1 hour

Meet Clearyak NZ on Goat Island beach for a safety briefing and a 60-minute paddle in New Zealand’s only clear kayak. You’ll share a double kayak, look for snapper, red moki, blue maomao, eagle rays, and stingrays, and may reach the reserve’s caves and waterfalls. One paddler must be a competent swimmer.

“Efter instrukser hvor langt vi fik udforske blev der holdt øje med os. Det føltes trygt da vi var der en dag hvor vanden var uroligt og vinden var aktiv. Vi kom tæt på de huler og vandfald der var. Smukt turkis vand. Vi lå stille nogle minutter og kunne se fisk under vores Clearyak og ved siden af. Herlig og smuk måde at opleve naturen.”

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6.Whangārei: Hundertwasser Art Centre: Admission for one day.

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 14 reviews · from $15Best value

Spend a full day at Whangārei’s Hundertwasser Art Centre, exploring original paintings, graphic art, rugs, models, films, Māori exhibitions, and the famous afforested roof. Admission costs $15, with optional one-hour guided tours at 11:00 am from Thursday to Sunday for an additional $20.

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7.Private tour – Matakana Art & Wine Village

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $495

Leave Auckland for a six-hour private outing around Matakana with your own driver-guide. Visit Sculptureum’s gardens and galleries, taste chocolate, enjoy wine, snacks, lunch, and bottled water, and ask for a plan suited to your interests. Guide David has helped make this a special day for past guests.

“We had a great day with our guide, David. It was a wonderful day and we saw places we would have never found had we been on our own.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $588

Set out from Auckland at 9:00 am in a private, air-conditioned minibus with a local English-speaking escort. Taste handmade chocolate, boutique wine and gelato, enjoy a lunch platter with matching wines, and wander the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail and Sculptureum. Short walks, countryside views, onboard WiFi and hotel pickup make this a polished day beyond the city.

“The charcuterie boards are amazing! Wine was excellent. We bought 2 bottles of Pinot Gris to take home for a birthday party. The art walk in the forest was a nice touch especially with the classical music. I have been to 155 countries and I have never heard classical music in a forest. Kudos to the person who thought that up.”

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9.Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $588

Travel from Auckland to Matakana in a private, air-conditioned minibus with an English-speaking escort. Ride for one hour near Warkworth, explore Sculptureum’s gardens and galleries, enjoy lunch and wine tasting, then sample chocolate and gelato. Ask about rider height and weight when booking.

“We spent a wonderful day with Karthik as our tour guide. The day proceeded efficiently as we were able to experience different aspects of Matakana. I was worried about my toddler riding a horse for the first time but the owners made sure Read more”

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10.Private Auckland Wine & Dine Matakana Country & Cuisine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $586

Spend about eight hours touring Matakana in a private Mercedes with a guide such as Nigel, who can tailor the day to your interests. Expect Auckland pickup, Kauri trees, beaches, wineries, local food stops, lunch, snacks, and support for eco-cultural projects.

“You will be glad if Nigel is your guide. He is a wealth of information on the entire area around Matakana. Plus, he can share several engaging stories about his endeavours over the years. Bravo.”

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