A Day Trip North: The Matakana Wine & Food Tour Aboard a Vintage Double-Decker

90 minutes. One remarkable bus. A surprisingly big slice of Auckland — and now, a whole day beyond it.

You already know a vintage London Routemaster is one of the most distinctive ways to see Auckland city. This season, Vintage Views is taking that same genuine double-decker further afield — north, to the food-and-wine country of the Matakana Coast. It's a day trip built around everything Matakana does best: boutique wineries, artisan food, standout local venues, and a coastline that feels a world away from the city, all wrapped in the unmistakable character of a classic 1960s bus.

This isn't simply transport to a wine region. It's part sightseeing tour, part Matakana story, and part journey back in time.

Why Matakana is the day trip from Auckland to make

Just over an hour north of Auckland, Matakana has quietly become one of New Zealand's most rewarding gourmet escapes. It's a region of small, family-run vineyards on north-facing slopes, artisan producers making cheese, chocolate and more, a beloved Saturday farmers' market, and white-sand beaches like nearby Omaha. It's close enough for a day out, yet far enough to feel like a proper getaway.

The catch with a region like this is the logistics — and, if you're tasting your way around wineries, the small problem of who drives home. That's exactly what a guided day tour solves. Everyone in your group gets to relax, sip, and enjoy the day, while we handle the road, the route and the timing.

What the day looks like

The journey is part of the experience, not just the bit in between. You'll head north out of Auckland aboard the vintage double-decker, taking in the coastal scenery from the comfort of the upper deck, before spending the day exploring the best of the Matakana Coast:

• Boutique wineries — intimate, small-estate tastings of the kind you won't get at the big commercial cellar doors, with the stories of the people who make the wine
• Artisan food and local producers — the cheese, chocolate, oysters and market fare the region is known for
• Fantastic local venues — the standout spots that make Matakana more than a wine list
• Coast and countryside — the beaches, the villages and the scenery that make the drive north worth it on its own

It's a relaxed, indulgent, genuinely memorable day out — with a local guide, great company, and a bus that turns heads the whole way.

Tour dates and details for the season are on our tours page — or call us on 027 483 0734 and we'll help you plan the perfect day.

More than a bus ride — an Auckland experience in its own right

This is the heart of what Vintage Views is about. A genuine London Routemaster, local Auckland guides, and one of the most distinctive ways to see the city and its surrounds — it's not simply a way to get from A to B. It's the reason to go.

If you've got less time, our 90-minute Double Decker Discovery city tour is the perfect way to see Auckland without losing half your day — hop-on hop-off, without the off. And when you've got a full day to give it, the Matakana tour takes that same spirit on the road. See Auckland in style, then see what lies just beyond it.

Hire the whole bus: private charter for your event

The vintage double-decker isn't only for scheduled tours — it's available for private charter, and it makes an unforgettable centrepiece for just about any occasion:

• Corporate events and staff functions — reward the team with something they'll actually talk about
• Weddings and celebrations — arrive in style, or keep the party rolling between venues (wedding enquiries here)
• Conferences and incentive groups — a distinctive experience for delegates and reward trips
• Birthdays and special occasions — a milestone deserves a memorable ride
• Brand activations and promotional events — a genuine head-turner for any campaign
• Private Auckland sightseeing and group experiences — your own guided tour, your own schedule

Whatever the event, the bus becomes your private, moving venue — and we handle the driving, the route and the logistics. Explore private bus hire and events, or get in touch to talk through your ideas.

Book your Matakana day tour

The Matakana tour runs over the coming season and seats are limited — it's the kind of day out that books up, so it's worth securing your spot early.

👉 Book your Matakana day tour

📞 Call 027 483 0734 | ✉️ info@vintageviews.co.nz

A genuine vintage London Routemaster · local Auckland guides · Matakana wine, food and coast · day trips from Auckland and private charter across the region.

Vintage Views — one of Auckland's experiences in its own right. City sightseeing, the new Matakana day tour, and private charter for events, weddings and groups. Explore all tours · Contact us · 027 483 0734.