Relaxed vibes at lovely Leigh
Discovers Leigh and its surrounds offer an alluring escape from the big city.
Nicky Park
About an hour’s drive out of Auckland, and action-packed on the weekend, Leigh serves a satisfying mix of wholesome outdoor activities and delicious eating and drinking experiences.
The setting
While Leigh lies only about 80km north of Auckland, the relaxed vibes and rolling coastlines make it feel much further away. The drive there is cruisy, until you hit the bustling Matakana village. On market day, Saturday, traffic slows to a crawl through the small town – it’s worth parking up and strolling the stalls for local produce and preserves while you’re here.
Most people make the extra mileage out to Leigh for a quieter stay, to explore New Zealand’s first marine reserve, Goat Island, or catch a gig at the famous Leigh Sawmill.
The space
Before our bach-like accommodation was built on the two-acre corner of Cumberland St, there sat the old local pub. Abandoned about 10 years ago, overgrown, unloved, and home to squatters, owners Alan and Jasmin Macdonald saw the potential of the land with expansive vistas of the Matakana coast when it came up for sale early last year.
Alan, an engineer, has an inspired vision for Leigh Central, which exists only in his mind, but will come in to fruition over the next couple of years.
This summer, they’ve developed five comfortable self-contained rooms, fit for two to four people with king, queen and twin options available, as well as a couple with sofa beds and one with disabled access.
With an uplifting nautical theme, the rooms are light and bright with a back deck that leads out to a lawn – perfect for happy hour as the sun sets. You’re also welcome to use the barbecue facilities.
By the end of the year they will restore part of the old pub and open it up for events. With a dreamy outlook and plenty of space, the first wedding in what they refer to as the ‘‘wow room’’ is booked for early 2018, and Alan assures me he’ll be ready. A quaint courtyard will fit 50, and the massive commercial kitchen will easily cater for up to 150 guests.
By then, the ex-Wellingtonians reckon they will be ready to expand their accommodation offerings to include a short-stay caravan park and some small, cosy cabins for two.
The kit
The completed ‘‘Coastels’’ which we stayed in come complete with a kitchenette, a facility that adds to the overall bach vibe of Leigh Central. With a fridge to store our Champagne, and space and supplies to prepare a grazing plate of local artisan products, we dreamed of a stay beyond our fleeting one night only.
Comfort factor
The rooms don’t ooze opulence, but they fit right into a weekend of seaside activities. Blond wooden floorboards that can tolerate a bit of sand between the toes, space to hang wet togs and towels, showers inside and out to rinse off, and a comfy queen-sized bed to rest weary bones.
Food
You have to visit the new Leigh Sawmill Brewery in Matakana. This offshoot of the classic Leigh Sawmill Cafe opened late last year after the original (walking distance from our accommodation) burst at the seams.