Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Matamata was just one of those pleasant, horsey country towns you drove through until
Peter Jackson's epic film trilogy
Lord of the Rings
put it on the map. During filming 300
locals got work as extras (hairy feet weren't a prerequisite).
Following the subsequent filming of
The Hobbit
, the town has now ardently embraced
its Middle Earth credentials, including a spooky statue of Gollum, and given the local in-
formation centre an appropriate extreme makeover.
Most tourists who come to Matamata are dedicated hobbit-botherers: for everyone else
there's a great cafe, avenues of mature trees and undulating green hills.
Sights & Activities
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours
FILM LOCATION
( 0508 446 224 866, 07-888 1505;
www.hobbitontours.com
; 501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera; adult/
child $75/37.50; tours 10am-4.30pm)
Due to copyright, all the intricate movie sets around
the country were dismantled after filming of
Lord of the Ring
s, but Hobbiton's owners
negotiated to keep their hobbit holes, which were then rebuilt for the filming of
The Hob-
bit
. Tours include a drink at the wonderful Green Dragon Inn. Free transfers leave from
the Matamata i-SITE; check timings on the Hobbiton website. Booking ahead is strongly
recommended.
With your own transport, head towards Cambridge from Matamata, turn right into
Puketutu Rd and then left into Buckland Rd, stopping at the Shire's Rest Cafe.
Wairere Falls
WATERFALL
About 15km northeast of Matamata are the spectacular 153m-high Wairere Falls (the
highest on the North Island). From the car park it's a 45-minute walk through native bush
to the lookout or a steep 90-minute climb to the summit.
Firth Tower
MUSEUM, HISTORIC BUILDING
(
www.firthtower.co.nz
;
Tower Rd; grounds free, tours adult/child $5/1; grounds 10am-4pm daily,
buildings 10am-4pm Thu-Mon)
Firth Tower was built by Auckland businessman Josiah Firth
in 1882. The 18m concrete tower was a fashionable status symbol, and is now filled with
Maori and pioneer artefacts. Around it are 10 other historic buildings, including a school-
room, church and jail. It's 3km east of town.
Opal Hot Springs
SWIMMING
