Matamata

Gateway to Middle-earth Magic

Matamata on New Zealand’s North Island is a small town known for its peaceful countryside and friendly atmosphere. Visitors often come to see the famous Hobbiton movie set, which recreates the Shire from The Lord of the Rings films. Beyond the film location, Matamata provides easy access to rolling hills, dairy farms and quiet beaches along the coast. Local cafes serve fresh produce, while nearby rivers offer opportunities for fishing or gentle walks through native bush. The town’s pace encourages relaxation and exploration without crowds.

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Town in New Zealand

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.5

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	8

Read details

5/5

English is the predominant language in Matamata, ensuring that travelers will have no difficulty communicating with locals.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 27 Oct 2026

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Matamata Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Read how our scores work

Famous for movie tourism and rural scenery. Visit the Hobbiton film set, explore green countryside landscapes and enjoy relaxed farm experiences.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Spotless

Guided tours

Waterfalls

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

🌈 7

LGBTQ+

New Zealand – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type I Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	New Zealand Dollar (NZD) £1 ≈ NZ$2.34
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted across New Zealand, and credit cards are commonly used, especially in urban areas and tourist spots. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not expected in New Zealand, though it is appreciated for exceptional service. 5-10% in restaurants and small tips for taxi and hotel staff are common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed in some designated areas but may be restricted in others. Consumption of alcohol in public places may require a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in many public areas, especially indoor spaces and public transport.

Waitangi Day (6 February)	A national holiday celebrating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 111 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Ola
Other:	New Zealand is known for its stunning landscapes, from beaches and mountains to national parks and cultural experiences.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Matamata, New Zealand

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Dec.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Sep. - Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Hobbiton Movie Set tours sell out ahead of time in December to February and during New Zealand school holidays

Hot air balloon flights depend on calm clear mornings and are often cancelled in wet or windy weather

Don't miss

🏡 Tour the famous Hobbiton Movie Set and hobbit holes
🏛️ Explore Firth Tower Museum showcasing local pioneer history
🌊 Hike to Wairere Falls, North Island's highest waterfall
♨️ Relax in the Opal Hot Springs and natural thermal pools
🌳 Visit Founders Park with its peaceful gardens and walking trails

You've been here?

Why travel to Matamata?

Matamata is best known as the home of the Hobbiton Movie Set, where fans of 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' can immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Middle-earth. Beyond the film set, the town boasts lush landscapes, scenic hiking trails and a warm, welcoming community that makes every visitor feel at home.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Firth Tower Museum
2 Hobbiton Movie Set

🎡Places for activities

1 Wairere Falls track
2 Opal Hot Springs & Holiday Park
3 Te Aroha Golf Club

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Wairere Falls
2 Te Waihou Walkway

🛍️Shopping

1 Matamata United Sports Club
2 The Redoubt Bar and Eatery

🎈Events

Matamata A&P Show
Hobbiton Movie Set Evening Banquet Tours
Matamata Christmas at the Races

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Book Hobbiton tours ahead; popular slots sell out quickly.
Matamata is the “Shire” gateway; expect rural roads and limited evening transport options.
Pack rain protection and sturdy shoes; nearby waterfall hikes can be slippery after showers.
Pair Hobbiton with Wairere Falls or a farmstay for a fuller Waikato countryside experience.

How to travel to Matamata

Matamata is approximately a two-hour drive from Auckland and a 45-minute drive from Hamilton. While there isn't a commercial airport in Matamata, the nearby Hamilton Airport serves domestic flights and Auckland Airport caters to both domestic and international travelers. From these airports, rental cars and shuttle services can bring you directly to Matamata.

Access summary

From Auckland Airport (AKL): shuttle or bus via expressways, around 2–3 hours.
From Auckland city: intercity bus or self-drive, typically 2–2.5 hours.
From Rotorua or Hamilton: frequent buses or tours, usually about 1–1.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Matamata

Accommodation options in Matamata range from cozy bed and breakfasts to comfortable motels and lodges. For a unique experience, consider staying on a local farmstay to immerse yourself in the rural lifestyle.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Opal Hot Springs & Holiday Park

8.0

Horse and Jockey Inn

7.3

Large , modern suite on 2 acres, 2 minutes to CBD

Tower Road Motel

10.0

Firth Street Mews B&B

9.6

Broadway Motel & Miro Court Villas

9.0

Matamata Central Motel

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Matamata

Getting around Matamata is convenient, with most attractions accessible by car or on foot. For those without a vehicle, local taxi services and guided tours are available. The town's compact size ensures that amenities and points of interest are never far apart.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-22 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 22% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-15 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to NZD) is 15% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Tauranga, New Zealand - 38 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£56	£122	£322
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£60	£135
🍝 Food per day	£24	£55	£161
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£7	£26

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£22
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£10
🍟 Fast food combo	£7
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.20
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£16
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.15

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£22
🤧 Cold medication	£8
💇 Basic haircut	£9.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Matamata is considered a safe destination with low crime rates. Standard precautions, such as securing valuables, are advisable.

Health & Medical

Healthcare facilities in Matamata are reliable, with medical centers available for minor ailments. For specialized care, nearby cities like Hamilton offer comprehensive services.

Accessibility

The town is generally accessible, with efforts made to accommodate travelers with mobility challenges, especially at major attractions like Hobbiton.

Tap water

Tap water in Matamata is safe to drink and public drinking fountains are available in various locations.