Things to do in Matamata
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Top 10 attractions in Matamata
Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours
Join us and experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey on a short bus ride through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will escort you on a shared walking tour around the movie set, showcasing the intricate details, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how movie magic was made here. △ Immerse yourself in the fairy tale town of The Hobbit △ Ejoy the fenced garden and the mirror lake △ Admire New Zealand's stunning sceneryMatamata · 10.7 km from downtown
Bag End
Bag End, this charming country cottage, was the inspiration for renowned author J.R.R. Tolkien. It is located on a green hillside in the town of Matamata, surrounded by peaceful farmland, with stone walls covered in green turf and an arched door that exudes an ancient and mysterious air.Matamata · 9.9 km from downtown
Matamata
Matamata is a filming location for The Lord of the Rings films. Anyone who has seen The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit film series will surely be captivated by the settings where the Hobbits lived. Here, you can follow a guide to experience the scenes from the movies, making it a destination that fans of The Lord of the Rings are surely looking forward to visiting.Matamata · 549m from downtown
The Green Dragon Inn
At the restaurant within the Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours, visitors can enjoy a local specialty beer and fully appreciate the unique scenery and charm of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours in a relaxed atmosphere.Matamata · 10 km from downtown
The Party Tree
This is a giant oak and one of the classic scenes in The Lord of the Rings films. It attracts many visitors, and whether you are a film fan or a nature lover, you can find something to enjoy here. If you travel to New Zealand, consider visiting to experience the charm of the films and nature.Matamata · 9.9 km from downtown
Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway
Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway is located near Putaruru on the North Island of New Zealand. The spring water here comes from the underground aquifer of the Mamaku Plateau and emerges exceptionally pure after being slowly filtered through volcanic rock layers for decades or even centuries. It is this purity that gives the spring water its almost unreal blue-green color. The pools are over 10 m deep, yet underwater visibility still reaches tens of meters. On sunny days, the water plants, pebbles, and swimming trout are clearly visible, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and photographers. When visiting, you can choose your route based on your fitness level. Starting from the Leslie Road entrance near the spring source, it is an approx. 1 km walk along a flat trail to reach the viewing platform. If you want to walk the entire trail, it is approx. 4.7 km one way, winding along the stream through native bush, wetlands, and pastures, accompanied by birdsong.Putaruru · 25.6 km from Matamata
Matamata Visitor Information Centre
Matamata · 422m from downtown
Agrodome
The Agrodome Farm in Rotorua, North Island, is New Zealand's largest, state-of-the-art tourist farm with an area of about 150 hectares. Here you can meet red deer, turkeys, ostriches, alpacas, cows, lambs and many other animals you have never seen before. The farm has performances such as shearing and milking every day, which are very exciting and fun. The iconic sheep shearing bronze statue and the ancient carriage frame are displayed at the entrance of the farm. The Agrodun Farm covers a large area. To visit the pastoral area, you need to take a sightseeing tractor and set off on the tractor. You will see groups of people along the way. Cows and sheep grazing leisurely by the roadside. The tractor will stop in an open meadow, and nearby sheep will come running to surround you. In the alpaca area, the tall alpaca has a very docile temperament, and you can interact and take photos with them. In addition to getting up close and personal with various animals, you can visit the farm orchard, see the kiwi fruit trees, and taste the unique taste of kiwi honey. After the farm tour, go to watch the farm show. There are demonstrations of sheep shearing, sheep auctions, shepherd dog performances, etc. The host will also invite tourists to come on stage to milk the cows and compete for feeding lambs and drinking goat milk, which is very interesting. Visitors to the farm show can also visit the animal pup nursery. Before leaving, check out the WoollenMill, ShearingShedMuseum and DogandWhistle souvenir shops.Rotorua · 47.6 km from Matamata
Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ
Rotorua not only attracts tourists from all over the world with its rich geothermal landscape, but also with its strong Maori culture. The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand and are the early masters of the land. Rotorua is the epicentre of Maori culture. Visitors from all over the world can enjoy unique and breathtaking Maori song and dance performances, watch Maori or simple or exquisite carvings, and learn about Maori history, culture and traditions in the Maori Cultural Village. Te Puia Maori Cultural Village is the birthplace of the world's Puhutu Geyser, mud pools, hot springs, New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi and wood carvings. The Maori Cultural Village is a collection of ancient Maori houses after renovation, with early buildings such as conference halls, housing and storage rooms. The houses of the early Maori were made of rushes and palm branches, which were simple and low, and could not straighten their waists. All kinds of storage rooms are supported by high feet. The tool room is similar to the bamboo building of the Dai people in Yunnan, my country, but it is shorter. There is an exhibition hall in the center of the village, which displays unique Maori carvings, which is a good place for tourists to learn about Maori culture. There is not only a world-renowned indigenous culture, but also an amazing geothermal culture. Hot springs and mud are numerous; steam is everywhere, and there is a strong smell of sulphur. Being in the geothermal area, the letter is like flying through the clouds.Rotorua · 57.1 km from Matamata
Skyline Rotorua
Skyline Rotorua is a comprehensive mountaintop leisure park on the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha. Its eight-seater cable car cabins ascend slowly along a nearly 1 km-long cableway, transporting visitors to the mountainside at approximately 487 m above sea level. As the elevation increases, views of Rotorua city, the azure Lake Rotorua, and distant geothermal steam gradually unfold below. On clear days, the silhouettes of volcanoes across the lake are also visible. The signature attraction at the mountaintop is the luge: five uniquely styled tracks totaling over 7 km in length. The cart design blends elements of go-karts and sleds, relying solely on gravity for propulsion—pulling back the handle slows you down while releasing it speeds you up, putting you in full control of your pace. For a leisurely view, you can choose the scenic Tiki Tour route, which winds through redwood forests and features multiple viewing curves along the way, passing by a row of dinosaur sculptures near the finish line. If speed is your priority, challenge yourself with the Legend Track, Tornado Track, or Speed Track, featuring continuous spiral turns and illuminated tunnels. After reaching the base, take the chairlift back to the starting point for another round—young children can also ride along with adults in the same cart. If you're brave enough, add the skyswing to your itinerary: three people seated side by side are lifted approx. 50 m above the mountaintop by a crane arm, with the drop timing controlled by pulling a release lever. The swing reaches speeds nearing 150 km/h as you soar beyond the cliff edge, culminating in a final spin. The mountain also features a high-altitude zipline overlooking the lake, a mountain bike park, and nature trails, offering activities for all preferences. After having fun, you can enjoy a buffet at the Stratosfare restaurant on the mountaintop while admiring the lake and mountain views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. For a quick break, the Market Kitchen Café offers coffee and baked goods, and the Volcano Winery's tasting room is also worth a visit. It's windy at the summit, so remember to bring a jacket.Rotorua · 51.3 km from Matamata
Experiences you can't miss in Matamata
Featured Day tours in Matamata
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![New Zealand Waitomo Glowworm Caves + Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours 1-day tour [Round-trip from Auckland + Sightseeing Bus]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images//0584h12000qmi0sjjDA26_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
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· 4 reviews· 31 bookedFree cancellation
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![Hobbiton movie set + Rotorua tour from Auckland [Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0355h12000s02y6ab8026_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
![Auckland 1-day tour: Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway + Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours with admission ticket [English-speaking group]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0351x12000u21dnbtF2FC_C_568_320.png?_fr=wc)
Featured Food & drink in Matamata
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![New Zealand Māori-style buffet + Māori haka war dance performance + geothermal fountain + kiwi bird [Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ/geothermal park]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images//0585s12000n34d2m18813_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
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Featured Outdoor experiences in Matamata
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![Hobbiton movie set + Waitomo glowworm caves tour from Auckland, New Zealand [Mercedes-Benz bus + lunch]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0352012000rxgmxbb920A_C_568_320.png?_fr=wc)
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· 113 reviewsFree cancellation
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![Auckland Round-Trip Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Day Tour [Including Lunch]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0350l12000fi6pz475460_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
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What travelers say about Matamata
_FB***17October 15, 2026
4.0
Hobbiton was an amazing experience with beautiful scenery, charming surroundings and incredible attention to detail. The entire place was well maintained, and walking through the village felt like stepping into a magical world. The lush green hills, iconic hobbit holes and picturesque landscapes made the visit truly memorable.What I appreciated most was how accommodating and considerate the staff were towards my friend with OKU (disability) needs. Their willingness to assist and ensure my friend could enjoy the experience made a real difference. It was wonderful to see a popular tourist attraction making an effort to be inclusive and welcoming to visitors with different needs.The surroundings were absolutely stunning, and there were plenty of opportunities to take beautiful photos and appreciate the unique atmosphere of the village. Every corner had something interesting to discover, and the scenery made the entire visit enjoyable .
Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours
小思文January 14, 2022
4.0
Mata Town is also a wonderful place. When you come here, you can see the architectural style of ancient Europe. This town has many retro buildings and a fusion of natural styles. It is also a place suitable for taking pictures of many classical film and television dramas.
Matamata
jxairOctober 15, 2019
5.0
It is a pub in the Hobbiton scenic area. After completing the tour of the Hobbiton dwellings with the guide, you will stop here for a short time. Drinks can be provided "free of charge", including dark beer, yellow beer, cider and ginger beer. Although the name of ginger beer sounds like wine, it is actually a non-alcoholic beverage that minors can drink.
The Green Dragon Inn
🎀彡🐾May 12, 2020
5.0
Motorola's Blue Spring is definitely a breathtakingly beautiful place. There is a winding spring here that is sky blue and very clear. The water plants under the spring float with the flow of the stream, as if you have come to a fairyland. It is really intoxicating.
Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway
jiaye_fanOctober 11, 2026
5.0
It was so much fun! The animals were all so cute and so therapeutic ❤️🩹 The sheep were all so greedy, plump and chubby, arching their backsides and squeezing hard; their wool was quite stiff. The alpacas, on the other hand, were very calm and let me pet them and take pictures of them.
I love animals so much 😭
Agrodome
Cheska MiloSeptember 19, 2026
5.0
We had a wonderful experience at Te Puia, and it is a must-see when visiting Rotorua. The attraction beautifully combines New Zealand’s geographical wonders with its rich Māori culture and history. If you want to experience both sides of New Zealand, Te Puia is definitely worth visiting.We learned a great deal about the country’s culture and history, and our guide was excellent, sharing interesting information throughout the experience. The kiwi birds were also a highlight and made the visit even more memorable.Overall, Te Puia offers a fascinating and meaningful experience that we would highly recommend.
Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ
雨下山倾August 24, 2026
5.0
This place is so much fun! Buying three scooter tickets wasn't enough; there are five tracks in total, so definitely buy a five-trip ticket! There's also a mountain bike park. I didn't bring my bike with me to New Zealand this time, otherwise I would have loved to go for a spin.
Skyline Rotorua
