This rural New Zealand farming town gained worldwide recognition as the filming site of Hobbiton. Local sheep and dairy farms dot the landscape around the permanent movie set.
Matamata, a rural town in New Zealand's North Island, is home to the famous Hobbiton Movie Set where you can walk through Bilbo Baggins' round green door at Bag End. Beyond Middle-earth, you'll find yourself hiking past towering waterfalls, gliding over rolling farmland, and warming up in geothermal pools surrounded by the Kaimai Range mountains.
Exploring the Hobbiton Movie Set
Walk through the 12-acre movie set where hobbits once "lived" during filming of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. You'll see 44 hobbit holes tucked into the hillsides, step inside Bag End, and drink Hobbit Ale at the Green Dragon Inn. Morning tours start at sunrise, while evening tours include a traditional Middle-earth feast in the Party Marquee. Your guide will walk you through the winding paths of the Shire, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and showing you the intricate details of hobbit architecture.
Hiking to Wairere Falls
Walk through silver beech forest and over streams to reach the 153-meter Wairere Falls, the highest waterfall on the North Island. The 3-4 hour return track leads you past boulders covered in thick green moss to two viewing platforms. Stop at the lower platform to see water cascading down the rock face, then climb to the upper platform for views stretching across the Waikato Plains to Mount Te Aroha.
Adventure Activities Around Town
Take control of a glider plane at the Piako Gliding Club, where instructors teach you basic flying skills before you soar above Matamata's patchwork of farms. Test your problem-solving skills at Trapd Escape Rooms, where you'll solve puzzles in themed rooms ranging from Wild West saloons to Kiwi beach baches. The Matamata Golf Course welcomes casual players for 18 holes with the Kaimai Ranges as your backdrop.
Natural Hot Springs and Gardens
Soak in the mineral-rich waters at Opal Hot Springs, where two pools maintain different temperatures throughout the year. The outdoor swimming area stays cool in summer and warm in winter. At Te Tapui Scenic Reserve, follow walking trails through kauri and tawa trees to reach the Maungakawa summit lookout tower. From here, you can see all the way to the Firth of Thames on clear days.
Getting to Matamata
Drive two hours south from Auckland, 45 minutes from Hamilton, or one hour from Rotorua to reach Matamata. InterCity buses connect the town with major North Island cities daily. Stop at the i-SITE visitor center – built to look like a hobbit house – to book local tours and transport. The staff can help you plan your itinerary and arrange shuttle services to Hobbiton.
