I recently spent a weekend at Omaha, north of Auckland, and it reminded me again how much I love Leigh and the Matakana area. They’re so accessible from Auckland that you can visit for just an afternoon, but the attractions are plentiful to keep you coming back. These are some of my favourite activities.

Stuff yourself at the Matakana Saturday Market: If you’re a bit of a foodie, this will be your happy place. Held every Saturday morning in a purpose-built rustic haven, the markets have it all. Scrummy bread still warm from the oven, organic fruit and vegetables, authentic Vietnamese, and of course the ‘I Love Pies’ crew mean it’s a good place to visit hungry. If you’ve still got room, stop in at Matakana Market Kitchen – I recommend the squid!

Brick Bay Sculpture Trail: A great place to walk off that pie, or build up an appetite, is this sculpture adventure. Amazing pieces of art, both big and small, are set in rolling fields and bush. As you wander the trail, you encounter everything from soundscapes to towering sculptures, and it’s an amazing experience. Brick Bay is one of the many vineyards in the area, so you can also relax with a glass of wine and a delicious platter as you contemplate the art you’ve seen.

Snorkel at Goat Island: New Zealand’s first marine reserve is a well-known snorkelling spot, and it’s famous for a reason. You can get up close and personal with giant snapper, cute blue maomao, and plenty more… just go early in the school holidays as it fills up fast in a high tide!

Blow the cobwebs away on Pakiri Beach: if it’s space and a stunning vista you’re after, keep going past Goat Island and head for the dunes at Pakiri Beach. The waves are about as big as they get on this part of the East Coast, but if you’re not a surfer, enjoy a wander down the beach or just sit, enjoy the sun, and watch the fisherman try their luck.

Explore Leigh Cemetery: it might not be everyone’s first choice of tourist activity, but I have always found old cemeteries fascinating. The history and family stories contained in the grand old tombstones always seem to give me a much better sense of a place than just reading a few paragraphs in a guidebook. The Leigh Cemetery is set on a quiet cliff-top with stunning views – a pretty awesome place for your eternal rest. The cemetery is also set at one end of the Leigh Cliff Walk, which gives great access to more of those fantastic views.

Wine tasting / a vineyard crawl – with a sober driver of course!: They don’t call it Wine Country for nothing… there are heaps of fabulous vineyards to try a tipple or three. My favourite is Plume, a custom-built winery and restaurant with amazing food, but there’s enough to keep you busy all weekend if you liked!

Picnic at Mathesons Bay: this beautiful wee bay is protected from the rougher waves and wind and has a great beach and park – perfect for picnics at any time of year. At Christmas the pohutakawa flowering transform the bay into a postcard-worthy scene.

If you’re making a weekend of it and looking for somewhere to stay, have a look at my friends’ luxury B&B just outside Leigh, Tera del Mar. It has amazing views and fantastic hosts!