Two hours south of Auckland lies the lush farmland of the Waikato region. Famous for dairying and fine thoroughbred horses, it's easy to see why these green pastures and rolling hills were chosen to portray Hobbiton and The Shire.
Hobbit fans can visit the Hobbiton Movie Set on a guided tour, wander among the hobbit holes and listen to the fascinating commentary about how it was all created.
A number of great farmstays and farm tours are also on offer in Matamata. Just east of town you can discover the North Island’s highest waterfalls, Wairere Falls, which are a spectacular sight plunging 153m. The Wairere Falls walking track showcases a diverse range of natural scenery and from the lookout you can see magnificent views over the valley and the Waikato Plains.
Got a taste for bigger caverns than hobbit holes? Check out Waikato's massive Waitomo Caves for dramatic stalactites, stalagmites and zillions of sparkling glow-worms. You can glide through on a barge, take a black water rafting trip, or even abseil (rappel) down into the abyss!
Matamata is the perfect place to stop on your drive from Auckland to Rotorua. Rotorua is just one hour away and is the center of Maori culture and geothermal activity. It’s also a quick 45 minute drive to the popular beach town of Tauranga.
Getting there:
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Driving time from Auckland is about 2 ½ hours. Follow SH1 to Tirau, turn left onto SH27.
- Domestic air services run to the city of Hamilton, which is 30 minutes drive from Matamata.
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The Magic Traveler's Network stops at Hobbiton as part of its North Island Adventure Tour.
Functional facts:
Approx. population 6300, i-SITE Visitor Centre, good range of shops and services.
By Paul Stuart-Higgs
By Rebecca Evans