Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland worth booking?
Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland is a 9-hour experience in Auckland, New Zealand, from $571 per person. It scores 49 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 49 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $571 per person
Experience a private guided tour of the beautiful Matakana region in our comfortable luxury vehicle. Spend a day marvelling at unspoilt countryside, indulging in wonderful food and wine, exploring riverside towns, and sa
What you get
About this experience
Experience a private guided tour of the beautiful Matakana region in our comfortable luxury vehicle. Spend a day marvelling at unspoilt countryside, indulging in wonderful food and wine, exploring riverside towns, and sample the many hand-crafted chocolates, artisan chocolates, handmade fudge and classic sweets made from quality ingredients. Experience breath-taking views riding on a horseback, allowing you to get back to nature and experience the enchanting world of Sculptureum, a mesmerising blend of art and nature. A sensory delight and tranquil escape for art enthusiasts and nature lovers. Indulge in the culinary delights and immerse yourself in a world of flavour, with delicious fine dining lunch and wine tastings, harvested from the onsite vineyard. Finally compliment with a rich Italian style ice-cream, artisan gelato & sorbetto to finish your day.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Admission to 1 hour horse riding
- Fully guided private return transfers from Auckland
- Indulge in the culinary delights and wine tastings
- Luxurious temperature controlled transportation in a minibus
- All Fees and Taxes
- Escape to the world of creative wonders of arts
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Admission to Self-guided walk at Sculptureum art gallery
- Ride a horse along a stunning native forest landscape
- Taste mouth-watering samples at the famous Chocolate in Matakana Village
- Free delicious ice creams; rich gelato or sorbetto
- Complimentary pick up and drop off from Auckland
- Complimentary refreshments and water onboard
- All necessary safety equipment’s provided
- On-board WiFi
- Be inspired by six, world class indoor art galleries
- Lunch
- Complimentary High-Speed Internet onboard the minibus
- A local English-speaking tour escort throughout the tour
- Explore carefully curated garden paths filled with more than 800 works
- Enjoy a scenic drive through lush countryside with excellent photo opportunities
- Experience breath-taking views that reach far and wide to the horizon
- Admission to Chocolate Tasting
- Alcoholic beverages
Not included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
What you'll see and do
Auckland Central
We pickup travellers from most locations in the Auckland CBD location. If your pickup location is not available on the list, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our very best to accommodate your request.
15 minutes here
Horse Riding Warkworth
Imagine the wind in your face, the sun on your skin and just the sound of the hoof beats of an unpopulated coast side. Inspire your soul, refresh your mind, and exercise the body to horse trekking with us. Glorious country setting farmland, native rainforest with views to the islands beyond. Here you can experience the best horse riding on horses suited for first time novices to experienced riders, with friendly guides trained to help you have a safe and fabulous time on horseback. You can experience the freedom of this special place on horseback. It can be both tranquil and exhilarating! Whatever suits you! A safe and exciting ride for novices and children. Be refreshed and rejuvenated and leave feeling empowered, invigorated, and wanting more!
60 minutes here · Admission included
Our art, food and wine experience can never be complete without a sweet treat. We finish on a sweet note at an award winning boutique chocolate maker on the way. Calling all chocolate lovers to this Chocolate cafe and Chocolate shop! You’ll feel like you are stepping into a vintage sweet shop full of delightful surprises. Enjoy one of our complimentary chocolate tastings while you watch our Chocolatiers at work. Sample the many hand-crafted chocolates made from quality ingredients, and choose gifts to take home.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Sculptureum
Sculptureum is a place to be inspired by nature and human creativity. An art experience that is internationally unique. Over 400 works of art fill three sculpture gardens and six galleries. A destination that has been ten years in the making is designed to unlock the imagination, fuel creativity and ignite the mind. The gardens burst with colourful plantings that change with the seasons. Imposing prehistoric rocks rise up alongside panels that display reflections in writing on Gardens, Inspiration, Wisdom, Art and Music. There is just over 2km of beautifully manicured paths and while summer is the most colourful time of year to experience Sculptureum, each season reveals something new to admire. Complete your experience with a meal at the restaurant (optional) at your expense.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Charlies Gelato is more than an ice cream shop. We’re considered an institution in Matakana. Locals and tourists alike flock to Charlies to enjoy the gelato, sorbetto and seasonal fresh produce, made and grown on site.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Auckland Central
After an exhilarating fun-filled experience at Matakana, it is now time to head back to Auckland to conclude your evening and drop-off at your hotel in Auckland.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Auckland
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- ExperienceKart
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for the conditions, Sun protection, jacket/warm layer, & any essential personal items.
- Sandals, Scuffs or high heel footwear are not allowed.
- Easy and good fitness level required.
- This is a self-guided walking tour and sensible walking footwear is recommended.
- All children ages 10 and under must be always accompanied by an adult.
- Bring a camera or a phone with camera capability as this is the perfect place to get some great travel photos.
- Horse Riding is not recommended if pregnant.
- You must be at least 18 years of age and present a valid photo ID in order to consume alcohol.
- Kindly advise the approximate height, and weight of each rider at the time of booking.
- Special dietary requirements catered for upon request, please advise at the time of booking. Preferences and requests cannot be guaranteed. Special requests are subject to availability.
- Tours are suitable for people of all ages and average fitness. Our scenic walks are short and optional. Please let our guide know at check in if you have any fitness concerns.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highly recommend! Family-friendly
We spent a wonderful day with Karthik as our tour guide. The day proceeded efficiently as we were able to experience different aspects of Matakana. I was worried about my toddler riding a horse for the first time but the owners made sure all safety measures were in place. Consequently, the horse-riding was our favorite activity of the day! The transportation was comfortable, and Karthik even provided snacks and refreshments which was much appreciated by the kids. We plan to re-book with Karthik when we return to New Zealand in the future.
Response from the operator: Kia ora Andrew, Thank you very much for your kind words and leaving us with a beautiful review. We are so glad that you enjoyed the horse riding and enjoyed your day at Matakana visiting the art galleries. We look forward to hosting you again in the near future. Until then, we wish you safe travels and hope you managed to see some whales!
via Viator
Best tour guide!
Karthik, our tour guide from ExperienceKart in New Zealand, was unlike any other I've ever had - this man is caring, eager to please, knowledgeable, patient, flexible, accommodating and most importantly treats you like family. The bus had free wifi, and even had cords to charge our phones (both Android and Iphone) seeing how some of us didn't bring them with us. After every stop, he asked if we enjoyed the experience and if we needed anything. I needed a lock for my suitcase and he took me to a hardware store to get one! Such amazing customer service - if you can book a tour with him in New Zealand, you definitely should! He picked up my two friends and I on time in a new air conditioned bus. No problem to pick us up at one location and drop us at another. He even had a little gift for each of us. The honey bees were amazing. Loved learning about how it was all done and seeing the live bees making the honey. The guide at the bees was very knowledgeable and the honey tasting was yummy. Bought an assortment! Horseback riding was incredible. The horses were so gentle and well behaved and the scenery was just like New Zealand - the most amazing I've ever seen and I've been all over the world! The staff offered to take pictures anywhere we asked and were very accommodating. We could trot, canter and do walks around the cones if we wanted. Chocolate tasting was yummy although the counter person was not very nice, the chocolate was great. Sculptureum was really something to see! So many interesting sculptures and artwork where you could walk around both inside and outside. The exhibits were exotic, well placed and humorous at times. Also the Italian restaurant there had food that was surprisingly very tasty. A ceramics store followed with local arts and pottery you could purchase followed by a "sweet surprise" from Karthik. Karthik was so accommodating! We asked him if he could take us to the airport the next day and then it turned out that UNITED airlines canceled our flight from Auckland to SFO so he just ended up taking us on tour of the city, seeing places we hadn't seen before. We ended up having 2 tours with Karthik - one he planned special just for us! A really wonderful experience and I highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Kia Ora Shari, Thank you so much for taking your time to write a very detailed feedback about your experience travelling with ExperienceKart to Matakana on our Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience! We are extremely humbled with your kind words and feedback and these kind words mean the world to us and we work very hard to always exceed expectations when it comes to customer engagement and customer service! We can't wait to host you and your friends and families again when you plan your trip to New Zealand, please don't hesitate to contact us and we'd be very happy to help! Until then, we wish you all the very best and look forward to seeing you again sometime in the near future!
via Tripadvisor
Matakana tour
Booked a tour to matakana with experiencekart. It was an amazing experience. Tour guide was very helpful, professional, informative. It is highly recommended to book tour through experience kart if anyone want to see Auckland and want to have adventure.
Response from the operator: Kia Ora Tawfique, Thank you so much for your kind words and taking the time to review your experience travelling with us to Matakana. We are very pleased that you had such a lovely day exploring Matakana and all the activities in the region. We can't wait to host you again and until then, we wish you all the very best!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $571 to $1095
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 49
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Auckland.
How much does Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland cost?
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Prices start at $571 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Auckland usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Auckland is not rushed.
Is Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 49 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable food & drink in Auckland, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Auckland can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Auckland and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience Private Tour From Auckland start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Auckland within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Auckland?
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On Outty we rank every Auckland experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch, Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour with Cheeky Kiwi Travel, Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour with Lunch from Auckland. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Auckland?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Auckland?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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