Skip to main content
Adventure Collective Logo
Adventure ExperiencesLocal ExpertsLocationsAbout
Menu

The Adventure Collective

The Adventure Collective Discover, plan, and share your outdoor adventures with our global community of explorers.

Add as a preferred

source on Google

Explore Adventures

  • All Adventures
  • Boat Charters
  • Water Activities
  • Fishing
  • Land Adventures
  • Motorized Land
  • Winter Sports

Explore Adventures

  • Aerial Adventures
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • Camping & Overnight
  • Climbing & Mountaineering

Find Local Experts

  • Browse Local Experts
  • Become a Featured Expert

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising
  • Add Your Business
  • Contact Us
  • The Adventure Network

Legal & Privacy

  • Privacy Policy
  • General Terms and Conditions
  • Cookies and Marketing Preferences
  • Legal Notice
  • Information according to the Digital Services Act
  • Do not Sell or Share my Personal Information
  • Sitemap

Adventure Town Guides

View All Adventure Towns

© 2026 The Adventure Collective. All rights reserved.

Editorial Policy
Skip to main content
Adventure Collective Logo
Adventure ExperiencesLocal ExpertsLocationsAbout
Menu

The Adventure Collective

The Adventure Collective Discover, plan, and share your outdoor adventures with our global community of explorers.

Add as a preferred

source on Google

Explore Adventures

  • All Adventures
  • Boat Charters
  • Water Activities
  • Fishing
  • Land Adventures
  • Motorized Land
  • Winter Sports

Explore Adventures

  • Aerial Adventures
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • Camping & Overnight
  • Climbing & Mountaineering

Find Local Experts

  • Browse Local Experts
  • Become a Featured Expert

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising
  • Add Your Business
  • Contact Us
  • The Adventure Network

Legal & Privacy

  • Privacy Policy
  • General Terms and Conditions
  • Cookies and Marketing Preferences
  • Legal Notice
  • Information according to the Digital Services Act
  • Do not Sell or Share my Personal Information
  • Sitemap

Adventure Town Guides

View All Adventure Towns

© 2026 The Adventure Collective. All rights reserved.

Editorial Policy
Discover Matakana: Scenic Horseback Riding and Sculptureum Art Tour Near Auckland

Discover Matakana: Scenic Horseback Riding and Sculptureum Art Tour Near Auckland

All Ages • 8 Hours

  1. Home
  2. Local Experts
  3. ExperienceKart Limited
  4. Discover Matakana: Scenic Horseback Riding and Sculptureum Art Tour Near Auckland

Adventure Brief

Explore the rolling farmlands and vibrant art scene of Matakana with an 8-hour private tour combining scenic horseback riding and the extraordinary Sculptureum gallery. Perfect for those craving countryside calm and cultural richness just outside Auckland.

8 hours
moderate
Family Friendly

Keep the Adventure Going

More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders

No Experience Required

Just an hour's drive north of Auckland, New Zealand, lies Matakana, a charming countryside region celebrated for its rolling farmland, artisanal culture, and vibrant local food scene. The Private Tour: Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and cultural immersion, specially crafted for travelers looking to fully engage with this special corner of the North Island. Combining scenic horseback riding with a visit to the acclaimed Sculptureum art boutique and gallery, this eight-hour excursion rewards visitors with unforgettable panoramas, tactile art, and refined tastes in local cuisine.

Your journey begins with a guided horse ride across Matakana's lush farmland. Here, beneath open skies and framed by native pohutukawa and pine trees, you can navigate gentle trails that highlight the region's rolling hills and sweeping views of vineyards beyond. The horses are known for their calm demeanor, making this ride welcoming for riders of varied experience levels. The natural setting is particularly compelling due to Matakana’s unique volcanic soils, which enrich the surrounding flora and support a thriving agricultural community.

Following the ride, guests explore Sculptureum, a standout attraction that marries gardens, studio galleries, and a curated collection of New Zealand and international sculptures. This creative hub reflects Matakana’s dedication to fostering artistic expression in a landscape that inspires. Wander sculpted grounds punctuated by intriguing contemporary art pieces that interact with the environment in unexpected ways.

The experience is rounded out with a gourmet lunch featuring local wines, premium chocolates, and artisanal gelato—highlighting Matakana’s reputation as a burgeoning food destination. Sampling these delicacies against the backdrop of peaceful farmland accents everything this region is about: craftsmanship, quality, and connection to place.

This tour offers a peaceful escape from Auckland’s urban pace, emphasizing the region’s blend of natural beauty and creative spirit. It’s ideal for art lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone wanting a comprehensive sense of Matakana’s rural charm. Whether you’re revisiting familiar landscapes or discovering New Zealand’s culture for the first time, this private experience delivers an authentic and memorable day.

Nearby Auckland provides a convenient home base with ample accommodation and transport options, setting the stage for a seamless transition from city to countryside adventure. The Private Tour: Matakana Art & Horse Riding Experience reveals the best of Matakana’s outdoor and cultural offerings in one thoughtfully designed package—perfect for creating unforgettable memories just beyond the city limits.

Hang tight — photos are loading

This usually takes just a second.

Trip Details from the Operator

Frequently Asked Questions

No prior experience is necessary; guides provide instructions and the horses are suited for riders of various skill levels.

Yes, the tour is suitable for all ages, though children should be comfortable around horses.

The lunch features local wines, handcrafted chocolates, and artisanal gelato, alongside seasonal farm-to-table dishes.

Key Highlights

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

8 hours

Fitness Level

Participants should be in good health with basic horseback riding skills or willingness to learn; some walking on varied terrain is included.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Tui birds, native songbirds known for their distinct calls
  • Kowhai trees, attracting native birds and blooming vibrantly in spring

History

Matakana developed into a creative hub through efforts to preserve local farm heritage and promote artisan culture dating back to the early 20th century.

Conservation

The tour supports sustainable tourism initiatives focused on respecting farmland ecosystems and promoting local artisan producers.

Related Adventures & Guides

  • See other trips from ExperienceKart Limited
  • Explore more Auckland adventures
  • Browse more land adventures experiences

Operated By

ExperienceKart Limited

All Ages • 8 Hours

About ExperienceKart Limited

ExperienceKart Limited is a New Zealand tour operator based in Auckland that designs and delivers private, small-group and multi-day experiences across the North Island.

The company offers a broad range of itineraries including cultural tours (Auckland Urban Māori Experience, Te Pā Tū Evening Cultural Experience), geothermal and cave adventures (Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu), coastal and marine trips (Bay of Islands, Auckland Coastal Discovery, Coromandel Peninsula), and specialist activities such as Hobbiton visits, white-water rafting, canopy tours and wine tastings.

Tours run from half-day city discoveries to multi-day luxury packages, with options for private guides, small-group departures and bespoke services. Many itineraries include trusted partners and local experts for cultural performance, guided walks, boat cruises, and Māori heritage site visits such as the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

ExperienceKart Limited operates from Auckland and lists 57 tours and experiences covering highlights such as the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Waitomo, Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and Hawke's Bay. The company emphasizes curated transportation, local knowledge, and immersive activities designed to showcase New Zealand’s landscapes and culture.

Several itineraries include luxury transport, four-star accommodation, optional spa retreats, and curated food experiences. Guides deliver dolphin cruises, Hole in the Rock trips, jet boating and walks at Cape Reinga and Lake Taupō. Booking details, availability and full itineraries are provided per tour, with service types suitable for independent travelers, couples, families and small groups seeking cultural immersion, adventure or coastal relaxation.

Aerial coastal town and harbor with sweeping ocean and beaches
Vibrant turquoise volcanic crater lake surrounded by rugged terrain

Tours Offered

57

Extensive North Island options

Tour Types

Private, Small & Multi-Day

Tailored options for every traveler

Trip Durations

Half-day–4 days

Short escapes to multi-night tours

Base Location

Auckland, NZ

Headquartered in Auckland

CTA Section Background Image

Plan Your North Island Adventure from Auckland

Explore full itineraries, check availability and choose private, small-group or multi-day tours with ExperienceKart Limited to match interests and travel style.

Adventure Tips

Bring weather-appropriate layers

Matakana’s weather can shift quickly; pack layers to stay comfortable during both horseback riding and outdoor gallery tours.

essential

Wear sturdy shoes

While mounted, proper footwear with a slight heel is recommended; off horse, sturdy shoes help on uneven garden paths at Sculptureum.

essential

Stay hydrated

Carry water with you as the tour covers multiple outdoor locations and can last up to 8 hours.

important

Book in advance

This private tour is popular and limited in capacity, so securing your spot early is advised.

important

Recommended Gear

Helmet

Essential for safe horseback riding throughout the tour.

Essential

Sun protection

Use sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect against sun exposure during outdoor portions.

summer

Essential

Comfortable walking shoes

Needed for strolling around Sculptureum gardens and gallery spaces.

Essential

Light waterproof jacket

  • Read our Auckland travel guide
  • Useful for occasional showers during horseback riding and walking between sites.

    spring