About
Matamata is a small town on New Zealand's North Island, in the Waikato region. It is best known as the filming location for Hobbiton, the village of hobbit homes from Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films, and for many visitors that connection is the reason to come.
What the visit is like
Most people come to see the Hobbiton set, which sits in the rolling farmland around the town. It makes a day-trip sort of visit: you arrive, join a guided walk through the village, and see the round doors, gardens and the Green Dragon inn that appeared on screen. Because the set is a working landscape as well as a film location, the surroundings feel open and pastoral, which suits the mood of the place.
Around the town
Matamata itself is a compact country town, so it is easy to spend time there beyond the set. Its streets and local services are simple and unhurried, and the wider Waikato area offers more countryside to explore for those who want to stay longer.
Planning your trip
- Matamata is a fit for visitors who enjoy film locations and the scenery of the North Island.
- Allow time for a guided tour of the Hobbiton set, which is the main draw.
- Check ahead for current tour times and booking arrangements before you travel.
