KEY POINTS:
Including Matakana, Leigh, Snells Beach and Omaha
Service towns don't come much prettier than Warkworth. It's an idyllic spot that hugs the curves of the Mahurangi River.
It's also the gateway to Matakana, Omaha, Leigh and Kawau Island.
Less than 10 years ago Matakana was a two-shop, pub stop now it has a high-profile market and plans for an expanded village.
Omaha is known for its modern holiday homes that spring forth from the sand dunes. Snells Beach is the hub of the Mahurangi peninsula and has a coastal/suburban flavour to match.
Warkworth, Snells Beach and Leigh have a mix of young families and long-term older residents.
Omaha is a high-profile spot for those with enough cash to fund a sophisticated holiday home.
Amenities
While Warkworth, Leigh and Matakana have a primary school, Snells Beach children travel to Warkworth for their education.
The well-resourced Warkworth School is one of the largest in the area with a roll close to 550. The co-ed Mahurangi College in Warkworth is the local secondary school.
Warkworth's main shopping area runs through the centre of town and has numerous art galleries.
There's a dairy on the road to Omaha, but no shops in Omaha itself.
Snells Beach has its Mahurangi Shopping Centre. Leigh has a general store and a fish and chip shop.
Being outdoors is everything here, whether it's canoeing down the Puhoi River or riding horses, admiring the tuatara at New Zealand's only reptile zoo at Leigh or peering at the fish at Goat Island Marine Reserve from the glass-bottom tourist boat.
Boat tours of the Mahurangi River are popular.
The less adventurous can stroll along the river's edge.
The jewel in the crown is Tawharanui Regional Park, a pest-free haven for native plants and animals.
Scandrett Regional Park, which opened in 2004, is a short drive beyond Snells Beach. The ferry to Kawau Island leaves from Sandspit. Omaha has bowls, a harbourside golf club and an ocean beach.
Foodies have the Matakana Village Farmers' Market for artisan foods and wine, and Ascension vineyard restaurant for lazy lunches. There's also the Matakana Country Park for art, crafts and entertainment.
Cafes and winery restaurants are scattered throughout the outlying area. At Leigh, the Sawmill Cafe is popular as an eatery and venue for live music.
Trends
Warkworth is home to an increasing number of Auckland refugees happy to make the 60-minute commute.
Older character homes are scarce, and keenly sought. Top prices in the township are now reaching $700,000-plus for modern executive-style homes.
The Dunes development at the southern end of Omaha has been sold out.
Leigh is still a sleepy village but the Wonderview subdivision of executive homes is changing the visual character slightly.
The $213 million Whisper Cove development at the northern end of Snells Beach is underway with 28 villas and eight apartments. Villas sell from $950,000 up to $2.5 million, with keen interest from North Shore buyers.
Best streets
Westpark Glen and Coquette St in Warkworth (winners of Warkworth's annual Best Street competition).
