Matakana Country Park is a privately owned 50-acre estate at Leigh Road in Matakana, about an hour north of Auckland. It is open seven days a week from 6am to 9pm, with free entry and no booking needed. Parking is free too.
The park has an animal experience, a miniature ride-on train that runs on weekends and school holidays from 9:30am to 2pm, weather permitting, an adventure playground, and horse and carriage rides. It also has a craft shop, the Matakana Art Gallery, a goldsmith, Bramble espresso shop and honest canteen, the Stables Restaurant and Smith's Bar. The park says each business there operates separately and has its own opening hours. Our pick in Matakana for a family day out with a ride on the mini train.