FAQ’s
Frequently Asked Questions
Our small Matakana Coast based, family business run by Liz & Geoff Bays, with the help of Operations Manager Phillipa Hunt. We launched in 2008, driven by our passion for connecting visitors with the locals and their stories, allowing time to absorb the stunningly scenic rural and coastal backdrop. We invite you to come along and explore our backyard.
We have provided answers to frequently asked questions below and we welcome you contacting us directly anytime by phone or email.
There are many tours to choose from, where do I start?
Step 1 First select the tours section/page most suitable:
-Little and local tours: created for visitors enjoying a short stay in local accommodation that wish to enjoy a quick introduction to the Matakana Coast vineyards.
Local central pick-up points - seat on coach tickets - shared tours
-Classic Tours: created for visitors that wish to enjoy a generous all-inclusive full day tour of the Matakana Coast delights. Including all-inclusive bespoke tours that POA.
Door to door service - small group or private tours - all-inclusive
- Neche/Bespoke group tours: created for groups with an agenda… hens wishing for light activity to bond over, Corporate groups celebrating milestones, rewarding customers and team members, Themed tours for historians, golfers, Hikers, Tweeters and more
Door to door service - small to large private groups - bespoke all-inclusive itineraries - Optional goodie bags and theming available POA
- Guide and Transport only: created for small private groups and family groups that prefer to pay as you go experiences. Assistance provided for itinerary building limited to _hours. Relying on the day availability and guide knowledge to match interests to experiences available.
Door to door service - private tour - no inclusions - cost brackets upto 6 passenger, upto10 passengers, up to 20 passengers, up to 40 passengers.
Step 2 Research the tour options in that section/page and book or enquire accordingly.
Step 3 If you still don’t find the experience your looking for or availability issues… get in touch, we love to hear from you.
What vineyards do we visit?
With over 20 local vineyards to choose from it is a hard choice. Our wine and food tour visits 3 vineyards. We select depending on the date, the size of the groups, itinerary variety, and other factors. We generally avoid disclosing which vineyards we visit, as it can change at the last minute. Contact us if you require more information or have a special request.
How do you decide on what stops for our bespoke itinerary?
At Matakana Tours we take pride in listening carefully to what you want to experience and using our local knowledge to match your wish-list. We take care of your every need such as: itinerary creation, reservations, tariffs, timelines. So you can totally relax and absorb the experience to the fullest.
We’re also clear and transparent on all costings, so you know what is included and what is not and there are no surprises on the day. Contact us now for your own carefully crafted bespoke itinerary that is sure to satisfy.
Bespoke tours… What experiences can we choose from?
Search the site for ideas or contact us now for a full list of experiences to choose from. We will create an all-inclusive bespoke itinerary to suit your interests.
Also consider the following:
Pace of the tour… Action packed fit as much in as you can or relaxed pace with time to chat and bond with your fellow passengers.
Variety in the day we suggest getting the more focused activities done in the morning and allowing for sightseeing and more relaxed paced stops in the afternoon.
A sure to please itinerary often has the following: Activity - lunch - sight seeing - light activity.
For example here are two of our most popular tours arranged in this fashion:
***Guided kayak along the meandering Puhoi river, abundant with flora, fawna and historic antidotes
Lunch of New Zealand Lamb or Fish
Wine tasting at local vineyard
Sightseeing the historic nautical sights and Matakana and Warkworth villages
***Oyster farm tour aboard the shuckle ferry in the stunningly scenic Mahurangi Harbour with our local Oyster farmer who freshly harvest a feast of oysters for you to learn to shuck and eat
Winery antipasto platter lunch
Wine tasting at local vineyard
Sculpture trail through native bush.
If your answers are not here, please contact us, We love to hear from you.
We live local, love local and want to share with you our culture and secrets of this beautiful piece of New Zealand, which in turn helps support the local community and economy.
Thank you for supporting local.
