Auckland Wine Country by Campervan: Kumeū, Matakana and Beyond

Quick summary: Auckland is the easiest place to start a campervan wine trip, with two wine areas less than an hour from the depots. Kumeū, around 25 km north-west of the city, is known for rich Chardonnay and long-established family wineries, while Matakana, around 60 km north, is a boutique wine area close to beaches and a lively farmers’ market. Both suit a first or last night of a campervan or motorhome hire, with wine tours available from the city if you’d rather taste before collecting the vehicle.

At a glance
Wine areas	Kumeū and Huapai to the north-west, Matakana to the north
Distance from Auckland	Kumeū around 25 km; Matakana around 60 km
Signature wines	Chardonnay, Bordeaux-style reds, Pinot Gris
Best way to taste	A wine tour from the city, or park up nearby and take a tour
Nearby	Muriwai’s gannet colony, Matakana Coast beaches, Waiheke Island
Tours	Auckland wine tours

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Why include Auckland’s wine country in a campervan trip?

Because it’s right on the doorstep. Most travellers pick up in Auckland and head straight out of the city, but the vineyards of Kumeū and Matakana are on the main routes north and west, so you can fold a wine day into the first or last part of the trip without any extra driving. Kumeū’s wineries have been making wine for generations, and Matakana’s small, family-run vineyards sit in rolling green countryside close to the coast.

What are Auckland’s main wine areas?

Area	Location	Known for	Also nearby
Kumeū and Huapai	Around 25 km north-west on State Highway 16	Chardonnay, long-established family wineries	Muriwai beach and gannet colony
Matakana	Around 60 km north, near Warkworth	Boutique vineyards, red blends, Pinot Gris	Farmers’ market, Omaha and Tāwharanui beaches
Waiheke Island	A ferry ride across the Hauraki Gulf	Syrah, island vineyards	Beaches and art galleries

For Waiheke, see our Waiheke Island guide.

Kumeū

West Auckland’s wine country began with Croatian and Lebanese families who planted vines here generations ago, and many of the wineries are still family-run. The area is known for full-bodied Chardonnay. A detour to Muriwai, a wild black-sand beach with a gannet colony, makes a good pairing.

Matakana

North of the city, close to Warkworth, the Matakana area combines boutique vineyards with cafés, galleries, a farmers’ market held weekly in the village, and some of the region’s best beaches. It’s an easy first stop on the way to Northland.

How do you taste Auckland’s wines without driving?

• Take a tour from the city before you collect the campervan. Many Auckland wine tours collect from central city hotels, so you can taste on the day you arrive and pick up the vehicle the next morning.
• Park up nearby at a holiday park on the city’s northern or north-western edge, or near Warkworth, and take a tour from there.
• Combine with Waiheke on a ferry day, leaving the vehicle in the city.

See our guide to parking up and taking a tour.

Is it easy to visit Kumeū in an RV straight after pickup?

It’s easy to drive to, but it’s best not to taste on pickup day. Kumeū is a straightforward drive from the airport and city depots on the motorway and State Highway 16, so it makes a relaxed first destination. Spend the afternoon at Muriwai, stay nearby, and save the tasting for a tour the next day, or taste on a city tour the day before you collect the vehicle.

Where can you stay?

• Holiday parks on Auckland’s northern and north-western edges, convenient for both wine areas.
• Around Warkworth and the Matakana Coast, with beachside holiday parks.
• Muriwai, with a regional park campground near the beach.
• Freedom camping is limited around Auckland, for certified self-contained vehicles, and only where Auckland Council permits it.

Where does the trip go next?

• North: continue from Matakana to Northland and the Bay of Islands. See our sister site’s Northland route.
• South: head for Hawke’s Bay, the North Island’s biggest wine region. See Hawke’s Bay by campervan and our North Island wine trail.
• Before pickup: see our guide to picking up in Auckland.

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Frequently Asked Questions