We came to Snells Beach for a quick escape from the city, invited to a baby shower. Since it was a holiday weekend with Matariki (Maori New Year) on Friday, we decided to arrive a day early and take the opportunity to explore.
Have you been here? I’d love to know about your standout places to visit and things you like to do here.
Our family loves nothing better than to walk outdoors to enjoy nature and get our steps up so we decided to visit two regional parks in the area, Scandrett and Tawharanui, and we stayed in Snells Beach.
After a day packed with delicious food (pizza at the Rusty Pelican) and sweet treats (from Charlie’s Gelato), along with plenty of walking and adventure, we ended the day with a sunset walk along Snells Beach. To wrap it up, we grabbed some fish and chips from a nearby shop before calling it a night.
The next day, we headed to the Matakana Market where we sampled local produce from various stalls and lunch at a local cafe. We also made a quick stop at the famous Morris and James pottery before heading to the baby shower party, and then home… back to the city.
Matakana Farmers Market
Location: 2 Matakana Valley Road, Matakana 0985
We love visiting the Matakana Farmers Market because it’s always vibrant and bustling with people. There’s a lively atmosphere with live music performing, and the market is filled with delicious food and local treats to sample. It’s a perfect place to immerse ourselves in the local culture, try new flavours, and enjoy the community spirit that surrounds this lively market.
We enjoyed starting our day at The Roastery with a coffee, followed by sampling feijoa liqueur from one of the stalls, then a quick walk around the shops and on to the Creamery Market further up the road. Lots of people, noise and activity… with an op shop thrown in along the way!
Lunch today was at the Goose Bakery and Cafe where Basker had a Polish sausage in a roll and I had a smoked salmon bagel, yum!
Just a note about timing… it’s best to arrive at the market early to beat the crowds, especially on busy Saturday mornings. Before 10am is best. Parking can be challenging, but heading directly to the paddock at 978 Matakana Road makes for quick park and an easy walk to the market.
Scandrett Regional Park
Location: 114 Scandrett Road, Mahurangi East 0982
Scandrett Regional Park is on the north-east tip of the Mahurangi Peninsula, just an hour’s drive from Auckland. It’s a peaceful coastal spot spanning 120 hectares. People love it for its lovely beach, rocky cliffs, and interesting local history. You’ll find scattered historic buildings and a preserved homestead that give a glimpse into the past.
It’s a great place to relax and enjoy New Zealand’s natural beauty.
Tāwharanui Regional Park
Location: 1181 Takatu Road, Tāwharanui Peninsula
Just an hour’s drive from Auckland is Tawharanui Regional Park, on the other side of the peninsula. The accessway to the beach might seem long, but it’s definitely worth it once you arrive. You’ll find a gorgeous white sand beach with gentle waves, far from the city hustle. It’s a place of stunning scenery—peaceful with beautiful beaches, green pastures, rocky coves, native forests, and growing wetlands.
Parking seemed to be an issue when we arrived but it was Matariki day, a public holiday, and at around midday more paddocks were opened up for parking.
The scenery was breathtaking on that beautiful winter day, and we promised ourselves to come back in summer to relax and swim.
Check if it’s safe to swim at this beach
To check for live information on water quality and safe swimming conditions at this beach, see the Safeswim website.
Waste
All our regional parks are rubbish free. Take all rubbish and recycling with you when you leave.
As our weekend wraps up, we think back on the time spent at the Mahurangi Peninsula. From scenic park walks to enjoying local treats at Matakana Farmers Market, every moment was filled with the beauty of New Zealand.
Ngā mihi to the friendly locals and vibrant community that made our trip so special. Until next time, happy days and may your adventures be filled with joy! ♡ Janet
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