Matakohe

Kauri history and historic buildings provide a clear thematic framework for choosing a stay in Matakohe. The Kauri Museum brings together exhibitions and experiences centred on the kauri tree; other places range from a historic school to Pioneer Church. This makes it possible to plan your time in the area according to your interest in collections, reconstructed rooms or the history of buildings.

The Kauri Museum and its exhibitions

As of September 2026, the Kauri Museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Christmas Day. Check opening hours before your visit. The museum celebrates the kauri tree and tells stories of courage, determination, tragedy and triumph. It also explains the role of kauri in the formation of New Zealand. The collection includes wood, kauri gum and artefacts from the kauri timber and kauri gum industries.

The Balderston Kauri is on display in the Volunteers Hall: a 22.5-metre-long slab of kauri wood. The Sterling Wing offers a different focus: a fully furnished six-room house from the period between 1880 and 1920 has been recreated there, complete with lifelike figures in period clothing. A single large object and a furnished house show, in different ways, how kauri and history are presented at the museum.

Historic homes, a school and a church

Totara House is an 1896 kauri villa set in historic gardens. The family of George and Emily Smith lived in and carefully maintained the house for more than 120 years. Alongside the museum collections, this brings a specific building with a long family history into focus.

The Pioneer School was Matakohe’s first school building. Desks, pens, books and maps are on display there. The Matakohe Post Office exhibition features dressed figures and original equipment. Both displays use objects and rooms to introduce different aspects of local history.

Matakohe Pioneer Church is a well-preserved kauri timber church dating from 1866–1867. The church and its grounds are suitable for intimate ceremonies with up to 50 guests, as well as for wedding photos. The specific guest capacity helps put this special event setting into perspective; it is not a statement about general use of the grounds.

More experiences and travel planning

The Forest Walkway at the Kauri Museum leads through a forest of tall light-box trees. Birdsong and the sounds of native bushland provide the natural soundscape. A full-size, scale reconstruction of a steam-powered sawmill offers a different way to learn about kauri timber processing. It runs slowly, allowing visitors to watch trees being processed into usable timber. The walkway focuses on forest and sounds, while the sawmill offers a visible work process.

As of 15 September 2026, the museum offers workshops on polishing kauri gum to school groups and other small groups by prior arrangement; the Gumdiggers Café in Matakohe caters for booked groups. Special meals at the café are available by prior reservation. These conditions are important when planning such group activities.

The Kauri Museum in Matakohe is located on the Ancient Kauri Trail to Waipoua Kauri Forest and on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway. These two route connections provide a point of reference when fitting Matakohe into your travel plans. The exhibitions, historic buildings and special group activities also give you specific ideas about which topics you might like to explore further during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Cable Bay, Ruakaka, Matapouri, Kaikohe, Whangaruru, Awanui, Waipu, Lake Ohia

For the regional travel overview: Northland.