Things to do in Matakana

Sheepworld Farm Park

The picturesque Sheep World is located north of Auckland, on National Highway 1. It is a very famous leisure place in Auckland. Local residents often take their children and families to the Sheep World on a full-day ranch tour during the holidays. Here you can watch cute sheep and sheepdog performances, experience a fun sheep shearing trip, and more.

Matakana Village Farmers Market

Tawharanui Regional Park

Located at the eastern end of the peninsula, Tawharanui Regional Park has beautiful white sand beaches, rolling pastures, tiled bays, native coastal forests and regenerated wetlands.

Sculptureum

Sculptureumis located in Auckland, featuring beautiful gardens and sculptures with diverse shapes and a strong sense of design.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Sky Tower

As an iconic landmark of Auckland, the Sky Tower stands 328 m tall and is connected to other buildings, forming a massive city in the sky. The Sky Tower features three transparent elevators traveling at 18 km per hour, reaching the observation deck in just 40 seconds to overlook the entire Auckland cityscape. In the evening, you can enjoy the beautiful sunset and Auckland's night views. Beyond regular sightseeing, the tower also offers a range of high-altitude experiences. SkyWalk lets visitors walk on a handrail-free walkway around the tower exterior at 192 m high, led by a professional guide and secured with safety ropes, suitable for thrill-seekers. SkyJump involves jumping from 192 m along a guide cable, with descent speeds reaching approximately 85 km per hour. Group visitors can also join the Skyline climb activity, reaching about 300 m to overlook the city up close. Ascending the tower in the evening allows you to enjoy both the sunset and the city's night views in transition, with Auckland's skyline under changing light presenting a distinctive scene. △ Climb the 328 m Sky Tower △Overlooking the beautiful city night view △ Take on more exciting projects

Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island

Goat Island is an accessible marine reserve in New Zealand. It has high sea water transparency, warm water and diverse marine life. It is one of the famous snorkeling and diving spots in New Zealand. Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre Visit the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre (Marine Discovery Centre) before diving into the sea to learn about marine life. If you are not interested in diving, you can also take a glass-bottom boat to see the underwater world. After a day of water activities, take a break with a craft beer in the small nearby community of Leigh. Goat Island is especially suitable for those who like snorkeling and diving. The sea water is clear and transparent, and it is artificially protected. Near Goat Island is the prairie, and it is also a good choice for people who like the natural landscape of New Zealand. Goat Island Marine Sanctuary is family friendly for a few hours or a few days.

Leigh Sawmill Cafe

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium is an aquarium converted from an abandoned underground sewage storage tank, completed by the New Zealand marine archaeologist Mr. Kelly Tarlton over approx. 10 months. SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium features 8 major exhibition themes, each with its own distinctive features. In the captivating winter wonderland, you can walk through the exhibition area into a viewing area at minus two degrees, to watch king penguins and gentoo penguins walking on artificial snow or diving underwater. You can also, inside the transparent acrylic view tunnel of SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, feel the thrill of great sharks and devil rays swimming past you, and witness how the mighty large lobsters live in harmony with their neighbors. If you want to observe up close, you can put yourself in a cage and enter the shark viewing pool. △ Observe giant sharks up close △ Learn more about marine life in the Southern Hemisphere △ Watch the adorable feeding process of the king penguin and gentoo penguin flocks

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

Join us and experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey on a short bus ride through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will escort you on a shared walking tour around the movie set, showcasing the intricate details, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how movie magic was made here. △ Immerse yourself in the fairy tale town of The Hobbit △ Ejoy the fenced garden and the mirror lake △ Admire New Zealand's stunning scenery

Ti Point Reptile Park

Transportation to the park is convenient, and it is home to many animal species, including iguanas, crocodiles, sea turtles, and geckos, with a healthy ecosystem and beautiful scenery.