What to Do in Matamata
Let’s be honest. You’re here for the Hobbits. It’s true, Matamata has kind of become an essential destination on most trips around the North Island, but beyond Hobbit Holes, what else is there to do in Matamata New Zealand? Well, you’ve come to the right place with this list of things to do in Matamata!
Not only is Matamata in the Waikato home to a famous Lord of the Rings movie set, but the Kiwi town is also close to many awesome walks, historic sites, tasty treats and much more. Walk to the North Island’s highest waterfall, climb hills for epic views, taste some New Zealand cheese, wander around art galleries and gardens and so much more! You could even stay awhile in one of the affordable 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Matamata.
All right, let’s go over our recommendations of what to do in Matamata if you are not into Hobbits and other wizarding things.
1. See Wairere Falls
Kicking off our list of Hobbit-less things to do in Matamata is Wairere Falls. From one enchanting place to another, the Wairere Falls walk will take you through moss-covered rocks and tree roots like something out of a fairy tale. Walk the 3-4 hour track to the highest waterfall in the North Island cascading an impressive 153m (502ft). There’s also an option to take a further 30-45 minutes-walk on a less-maintained track for a different perspective of the falls. See here for more waterfalls you can’t miss in New Zealand.
Location: 15 minutes drive from Matamata. The walk starts from Goodwin Road, off Old Te Aroha Road.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Discover the Matamata Heritage Trail
Before Hobbits roamed the town, Matamata was just a humble Kiwi town. Get a sense for the town, while seeing some spectacular gardens, on the Matamata Heritage Trail. Most people start the 1h40min loop from the i-SITE where you can pick up a heritage trail map. Highlights include a grand 1919 bank building, the Railway Plantation from 1855, as well as parks and gardens.
Location: Start from the Matamata i-SITE.
© Fuwuyuan on Wikipedia3. Take a Dip in the Opal Hot Springs
It’s like an outdoor swimming pool… but hot! There are also two outdoor mineral hot pools to unwind in which are bound to warm you up in winter or ease your aches after a long day adventuring. Plus, they are among some of the cheapest hot pools in the country!
Location: 5 minutes out of Matamata on the Okauia Springs Road off Tower Road.
4. Step Back in Time at the Firth Tower
The next entry of our list of the best Matamata activities is the Firth Tower. Who doesn’t like a tower?! Wander the heritage buildings, colourful gardens and the exhibits of the Firth Tower Museum. The picturesque tower was built in 1882 along with 13 surrounding buildings now full of exhibitions. It’s free to wander the gardens or a small fee for touring the buildings.
Location: 3 minutes from Matamata on Tower Road.
© itravelNZ® - New Zealand in your pocket™ on Flickr5. Visit the Wallace Gallery
Looking for what to do in Matamata on a rainy day? In the nearby town of Morrinsville is the Wallace Gallery. Showcasing contemporary New Zealand art, it’s a great place to get your cultural fix. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday. Check out more activities there in the 5 Top Things to Do in Morrinsville.
Location: 30 minutes drive from Matamata, take State Highway 24 north turning left onto State Highway 26 at Tatuanui.
© Pixabay6. Solve Puzzles at Matamata’s Very Own Escape Room
Make your next challenge in life to escape one of the epic themed rooms of Trapd Escape Rooms! Immerse in one of the fun themes, from a gritty cowboy saloon to a quirky Kiwi bach, where your mission is to escape the room within a time limit solving puzzles and codes. Whether it’s to do something in Matamata on a rainy day or to reconnect with your travel buddies or loved ones, solving an escape room is one hell of a way to spend an hour (or shorter if you’re good enough).
Location: 10 Waharoa Road West
© Trapd Escape Rooms7. Fly in a Glider Plane
Feel the magic of soaring through the skies at the Piako Gliding Club. While the club mostly offers training for glider pilots, visitors can get a taste for soaring in their trial flights where you will be paired with an instructor who will go through all the controls before you’re towed behind a tow plane.
Location: 10 minutes drive north on State Highway 27.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Walk the Rapurapu Kauri Track
Walk through a mix of exotic forest, then native bush until you reach some of the southernmost kauri growing in New Zealand. The 1h30minute one-way walk follows a stream which you’ll cross several times. Some of the best views of the kauri can be seen from the stream before entering the boardwalk. Another short walk worth doing is the Kaimai Summit only 4km away.
Location: 12 minutes from Matamata. Take State Highway 27 south and follow State Highway 29 where the walk is along the Kaimai Range.
© Felix Engelhardt on Flickr9. Get Awesome Views from the Te Panui Scenic Reserve
This loop walk climbs through native forest to a lookout tower atop the Maungakawa summit. Beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and the Firth of Thames awaits on this 3-4 hour walk. Take the anti-clockwise route for a steeper climb but easier coming down.
Location: 25 minutes from Matamata. Take Piakonui Road is off Piakoiti Road off Morgan Road.
© Akos Kokai on Wikipedia10. Play a Round of Golf
Wrapping up our list of our favourite things to do in Matamata the local golf course! Hit the 18-hole Matamata Golf Course and try your hand at New Zealand’s most popular sport (golf has the highest participation rate of any sport in New Zealand). Enjoy views of the Kaimai Ranges on this golf course open all year round. Green fees are at a reasonable price of around NZ$40.
Location: 7-minute drive from Matamata off Okauia Road off Tower Road.
© Pexels[TEMPORARILY CLOSED] Roam Daltons Plantation
NZ$5 gives you access to these wonderful gardens of different international styles. Get lost in the Setsugekka Maze, be transported in the Japanese Garden, try out the amphitheatre, as well as the classic New Zealand Kauri Grove, Chelsea 100% Pure NZ Garden and so much more! Food in the cafe is also available to book.
Location: 5 minutes drive from Matamata heading south on State Highway 27.
© Maxpixel[CLOSED] Taste Some New Zealand Cheese
The next entry on our list of things to do in Matamata is something for the foodies. New Zealand is onto a good thing when it comes to dairy (it’s the largest industry in New Zealand). The New Zealand cheese will please even the snoopiest cheese fan, so head to Kaimai Cheese in Waharoa, get yourself a platter and even watch the cheese being made behind a window into the cheese factory.
Location: 10 minutes drive from Matamata heading north on State Highway 27.
© PexelsMore Things to Do Near Matamata
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Hamilton (Regional tourism website)
- Hamilton City Council (Local council website)
- Hamilton & Waikato Visitor Information (Regional tourism website)
- Waikato Regional Council (Local council website)
- Waikato District Council (Local council website)
- Matamata NZ (Regional tourism website)
- Matamata-Piako District Council (Local council website)
- South Waikato District Council (Local council website)
- Waipā District Council (Local council website)
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