LIVING IN WARKWORTH
AND MATAKANA
Dashper Drive is just a short distance from a number of wonderful friendly small communities and local services, waiting to welcome you.
WARKWORTH TOWNSHIP
7 minutes away from Dashper Drive
The historic township of Warkworth was founded in 1853 by John Anderson Brown, who named the town after Warkworth in Northumberland.
Warkworth's history can be seen as you walk through the streets following the Heritage trail. Old ruins of the first Portland Cement manufacturing works in the southern hemisphere still remain and provide a great swimming hole over the summer months. Flowing through the Warkworth township is the Mahurangi River, which was once the lifeblood of Warkworth, with a busy stream of sail boats constantly cruising the waterways, trading between the town and Auckland.
These days the river is still in use with the Jane Gifford taking tours down the river. The Jane Gifford was built in 1908, and is the country's last remaining rigged sailing scow.Along the river bank there is a playground, parks and a lovely walkway. Warkworth has a great selection of shops to wonder through and plenty of cafes and restaurants.
MATAKANA VILLAGE
15 minutes away from Dashper Drive
Matakana Village is well known for the Saturday morning Matakana Village Farmers' Market, where you can buy fresh organic local produce, Mahurangi oysters, locally farmed buffalo cheeses, Matakana Olive Oil, and the market's own coffee roasted and ground on the spot.
Matakana Village also provides a boutique shopping experience and a number of excellent Matakana restaurants and cafes, Matakana Cinemas (each cinema is different with delightfully eclectic furnishings and very comfortable seating), the iconic Morris and James Pottery (famous for hand crafted pots, plates, homeware and wall art), river cruises with Matakana River Tours, and the Matakana Country Park (great for all ages, offering a small petting zoo, playground and mini train rides for children - great dinning options at The Stables, Smiths Bar & Bramble Cafe - onsite Art Gallery, Art Matakana and so much more).
AWARD-WINNING WINERIES
20 minutes away from Dashper Drive
Taste the local wines along the Matakana Wine Trail, such as Matakana Estate which has been at the forefront of local wine making since this premium, boutique wine region was first developed some 30 years ago. Or visit the Sculptureum which is a few minutes’ drive from Matakana village, where three art-filled gardens, six galleries, a vineyard, a function centre and Rothko – the site’s restaurant and bar – flow over 25 acres.
GORGEOUS LOCAL BEACHES
25 minutes away from Dashper Drive
Warkworth is perfectly located for easy access to some of New Zealand's most unspoilt pristine beaches, including Omaha, Tawharanui Regional Park, Goat Island Marine Reserve, and the popular Mt Tamahunga bushwalk. Imagine the wind in your face, the sun on your skin and just the sound of the surf and hoof beats on the white sand at Pakiri Beach.
Local information sourced from Matakana Coast
