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Nestled in the rolling green hills of New Zealand’s Waikato region, Matamata is not only a beautiful farming town but the gateway to Middle Earth. Here you will find one of the country’s top attractions, Hobbiton, home to The Lord of the Rings franchise, created by Peter Jackson.
Beyond this there are some amazing spots to hike and discover beautiful waterfalls and some of New Zealand’s fascinating natural beauty.
Getting to Matamata
Matamata is centrally located on the North Island and is only two hours from Auckland which is New Zealand’s most populated city and a good place to fly into.
It’s also just an hour away from Rotorua and 45 minutes from Hamilton.
Hiring a car is the most flexible option but if this isn’t an option for you, then tour buses and shuttles to Hobbiton regularly depart from Auckland, Rotorua, and Hamilton. This makes it perfect for a much larger New Zealand itinerary, allowing you to see more of this beautiful country.
Where to stay in Matamata
There’s plenty of accommodation options in and around Matamata including Buckingham Place, which is a boutique hotel with a Hobbiton shuttle service, and the Horse and Jockey Inn, an affordable pub-style lodging in the town centre. There’s also plenty of camping options, like Opal Hot Springs & Holiday Park.
If you have a car, there’s even more options in the surrounding areas. I stayed at Hugo & Carters Backpackers & Motel in Tauranga, which is basic but clean and nice.
See accommodation in Matamata here
Things to do in Matamata
Summary – 2-day Matamata itinerary
Day 1:
- Hobbiton Tour
- Firth Tower Museum
- Dinner at Redoubt Bar & Eatery
Day 2:
- Breakfast at O‑Del‑Emz Cafe
- Wairere Falls hike
- A cathedral of lights at Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Day 1: Discovering Middle Earth on the Hobbiton movie set tour
The Lord of the Rings franchise was a big driver for me to visit New Zealand. I remember watching the spectacular scenery in the movie and thinking that I’d never seen anywhere so beautiful.
It was a highlight on my New Zealand itinerary, and I’d say that the Hobbiton Tour is a must for anyone, even if you haven’t seen the film.
The tour transports you to a completely different world of fantasy. Hobbiton, which was in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, is located on the Alexander family’s sheep and cattle farm near Matamata.
It was first discovered by the film creator Peter Jackson, who flew over by helicopter while looking for a suitable location.
After being dismantled, shortly after filming The Lord of the Rings franchise, the set was rebuilt for The Hobbit and left as it was to give everyone the opportunity to experience the full magic of the movies.
The tour now includes two fully functioning hobbit houses. After looking amongst the hobbit houses and learning about how they filmed the movies you will find yourself at The Green Dragon Inn, where you can enjoy a beer, ginger beer, cake or pastry.
I’d suggest leaving half a day for this. The tour starts at the Shire’s Rest Cafe, which is perfect for breakfast, and there are plenty of food options for everyone.
Afternoon at Firth Tower Museum
Originally built in 1882 by Josiah Clifton Firth, Firth Tower served as a lookout over the estate. The reserve is perfect for a walk and even a picnic if you’d like.
It also has a fantastic museum, where you can discover all about life in colonial-era New Zealand across 13 historic buildings.
Where to go for dinner in Matamata: The Redoubt Bar & Eatery offers casual pub‑style dinners including vegetarian, vegan and gluten‑free.
Day 2: Hiking to the North Island’s tallest waterfalls
Where to get breakfast in Matamata: O‑Del‑Emz Cafe has great coffee and food with plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.
Wairere Falls Hike
Wairere Falls is located just 10 minutes away from Matamata and this is where you can hike to the top of the North Island’s tallest waterfall (505 feet / 154 metres). The track begins near the Hauraki Rail Trail, which is well-maintained and takes you through the forest, across footbridges, and up to a breathtaking viewpoint.
Afternoon: A cathedral of lights at Waitomo Glowworm Caves
New Zealand is definitely a country for touring with so many places to discover. Just under an hour and a half away from Matamata, you will find Waitomo Glowworm Caves which is an absolute gem. You pass through the town of Hamilton along the way with plenty of places to eat and drink.
The caves can best be described as a cathedral of shimmering lights, creating a hidden galaxy underground. They hold deep cultural significance to the Māori people of New Zealand.
According to Māori tradition, these caves are considered tapu (sacred), as they are connected to the ancestral land and the spiritual world. It certainly is a spectacular sight.
Note: These caves are sacred to the Māori people, so remember not to take pictures or film inside the caves.
Best time to visit Matamata
Matamata is beautiful all year-round, but spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer the best times to experience its lush landscape. That said, it’s not unusual to get rain during these times.
Another thing to note is that Hobbiton tours get fully booked up in the summer season, so it’s best to book in advance to avoid missing out.
Other places to visit beyond Matamata
Rotorua
As I mentioned earlier, Rotorua is not too far from Matamata and is definitely an interesting place to visit. Famous for its volcanic activity, steam comes from craters in some of the parks and there’s a lot of very warm, cracked paving from the heat below.
There are plenty of places nearby to experience this volcanic activity including Thermal Wonderland and Craters of the Moon.
Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo is also a very beautiful spot, where you can walk along the lake, dip your toes in the thermal heated springs and admire Mount Ngauruhoe, the mountain famously used as Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings films.
This is also right next to the glistening icy blue waters of Huka Falls, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions.
Top tips for travelling around New Zealand
Pick up an eSim: I used an eSim from Airalo. The signal was solid throughout my travels in New Zealand, so I’d recommend using them. The prices were also quite reasonable if you plan to spend more than a few days in this beautiful country.
Getting around New Zealand: there are plenty of different ways to travel around New Zealand, including train but the most flexible and affordable options are rental car and coach. Car rentals are readily available, and there is also a coach company called InterCity that will take you all the way down to the South Island and beyond.
This is a guest post from Tim Jones from Wildness and Wellbeing, a podcast and blog with a focus on how the outdoors can help your mental health. Tim travelled New Zealand last year.
