Wellsford Golf Club.

The Wellsford Golf Club began as the Fairview Golf Club in 1930, initially located on the “Fairview” property. Subscriptions were ten shillings and six pence for ladies and one guinea for men. A year later, the club affiliated with NZGU and moved to Levet Bros farm at Hoteo North. In 1932, it was renamed Albertland Golf Club, reflecting the early settlers’ name. Due to issues with livestock, the club relocated in 1935 to its current site, becoming Wellsford Golf Club with a 9-hole course, later expanded to 18 holes. Mr. Orrin Grant prepared the fairways using horses, and Mr. Roy Grant continued the work. The club relied on volunteer maintenance, except during the war years. In 1952, a practice putting green was added, and in 1961, the clubhouse was expanded. After a fire in 1969, a new clubhouse was built in 1971, incorporating a squash club.

Te Ari Links.

Te Arai Links boasts two stunning pure-links golf courses set in a beautiful coastal landscape. The South Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, opened in October 2022 and ranked #85 on the 23/24 Golf Magazine Top 100 Courses in the World List. The North Course, designed by Tom Doak, opened in October 2023 and has received rave reviews, ranking #36 on the 2024 Golf Digest World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses, with the South Course at #40. As you play, you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean, with crashing surf and salty air enhancing the experience. Te Arai Links is a must-visit for golf enthusiasts seeking world-class courses.

Gibbs Farm. 

Gibbs Farm, located in North Auckland, is a unique setting for a sculpture collection, dominated by the vast Kaipara Harbour, the largest harbour in the Southern Hemisphere. The shallow harbour exposes its flats for several kilometres at low tide, creating shimmering light effects. The prevailing westerly weather also shapes the landscape, with everything flowing towards the sea. Artists face the challenge of the landscape’s scale, which initially intimidates them but ultimately inspires greater creativity. Visitors can appreciate how each artist has adapted to the gravitational pull of the land, as mountains roll into hills and gullies, all leading towards the expansive Kaipara Harbour.

Matakana Markets.

Every Saturday from 8am to 1pm, rain or shine, the Matakana Market offers award-winning coffee and mouth-watering brunch dishes. Relax by the riverside with live local music while the kids enjoy the rustic treehouse and natural playground. The market is zero waste, so bring your baskets or bags to stock up on fresh produce, flowers, breads, deli treats, and sweets. It’s perfect for a gourmet picnic, a special celebration, or a weekend getaway.

Matakana Cinemas. 

Built in 2007, Matakana Cinemas features three unique theatres. The Tivoli theatre (114 seats) has one of the largest chandeliers in the Southern Hemisphere, the Paradiso (74 seats) boasts a ceiling with 32,000 paper flowers, and the intimate Roxy (34 seats) is draped in deep-blue and grey fabrics for a boudoir feel. The cinema offers Eighthirty coffee, Ginelli and Sons ice cream, and locally baked cookies. Adjacent to the cinema, The Vintry wine bar serves Matakana wines, local beers, and cocktails, along with nibbles to enjoy in the theatres. Matakana Cinemas screens blockbuster releases, art house and independent films, family movies, and special screenings.

Local Surfing Beaches

Te Arai Beach, Mangawhai Heads Beach, Omaha Beach, and Tāwharanui Regional Park are all excellent surf spots near Sun Valley Motel, Wellsford. Te Arai offers pristine sands and consistent waves, Mangawhai Heads features both a surf beach and a calm harbour, Omaha boasts long sandy stretches with reliable breaks, and Tāwharanui provides diverse surf conditions within a beautiful regional park. All these beaches are within a 30-40 minute drive, perfect for a quick surfing getaway. 🌊🏄‍♂️