Warkworth acts as a gateway to the stunning beach and wine areas to the east. Goat Island, Tāwharanui and Matakana are all within easy reach from here.
Poised at the edge of the Mahurangi River, Warkworth is a pretty town with an interesting choice of restaurants and accommodation. If you need a break from your journey, fish and chips or a picnic on the duck-populated riverbank is a pleasant stopover.
From Warkworth you can discover the wineries around Matakana, which are interspersed with artists’ studios and charming country cafés. There are two regional parks in the area – Tāwharanui has a magnificent surf beach; Mahurangi is more of a harbour experience. Goat Island Marine Reserve is another coastal attraction – it offers excellent snorkelling straight off the beach.
