Matamata

Matamata offers a variety of reasons to spend time outdoors: a short loop walk through mature kahikatea trees, a botanical park in the heart of the town centre, and cycle trails that lead into town. There is also a memorial site on Centennial Drive and historical discoveries in the surrounding area. When planning a stay, it helps to distinguish between these options: from a short walk to a longer cycling section and trips beyond Matamata.

Town greenery and memorial sites

Centennial Drive is a botanical park that runs through Matamata town centre. Access is available from Broadway or Tainui Street. At the entrance to Centennial Drive on Tainui Street, a 13-tonne rock and a surrounding basin commemorate Māori, missionaries and Matamata’s early settlers. The memorial site also makes Centennial Drive a place where a visit to a green space can be combined with a glimpse into the town’s history.

At the western end of Broadway is the Matamata i-SITE Visitor Centre, an information office that opened on 12 May 1988. Another option for a short loop is the Hawes Bush Walk: the 400 m loop passes through a stand of mature kahikatea trees. A walk among the trees and a visit to the town park offer different ways to explore Matamata.

Cycling and trails around Matamata

The Hauraki Rail Trail runs from Kaiaua in the north through several towns and the Karangahake Gorge to Matamata in the south. It is graded “Grade One – Easiest” and is a Great Ride suitable for people of all ages, fitness levels and abilities. For planning a specific section, the route between Te Aroha and Matamata is a useful point of reference: it is 37 km long and takes 2 to 4 hours. Actual riding time may vary depending on the cyclists and conditions.

In southeastern Matamata, Swap Park has the Matamata BMX track. For those who prefer to walk, there are two other routes with clearly named endpoints: the Stanley Farm Walkway connects Peria Road with Dawson Street. The 2 km Tower Road Walkway connects the edge of Matamata with the Firth Tower Reserve and Museum. The 2 km figure refers to the length of the trail; separately, the museum is 2 km along Tower Road from the town centre.

Firth Tower and trips in the surrounding area

Firth Tower was built in 1882 by Josiah Clifton Firth as a lookout tower over the landscape. Today, the Firth Tower Museum’s exhibitions are housed in 13 buildings. The museum is along Tower Road outside the town centre, so getting there is different from taking a walk on Centennial Drive.

Wairere Falls is also east of Matamata, where the water plunges 153 m. The Hobbiton Movie Set is near Matamata, about a 15-minute drive from the town centre. This is an approximate driving time and may vary with road conditions. These attractions broaden the options beyond the town’s trails and sights without being confused with a walk around town.

Matamata in the Matamata-Piako District

Looking beyond the town, the wider Matamata-Piako District offers more themes to consider when planning a trip. The Matamata-Piako District Heritage Trail connects Matamata, Te Aroha and Morrinsville, passing historically significant places along the way. It offers a different perspective from individual walking trails in Matamata, focusing on several places and their history.

The district’s cycling options also differ in character. Te Miro Mountain Bike Park offers more than 27 kilometres of hand-built trails through native bush, pine forest and rolling farmland. The Te Aroha mountain bike trail is a one-way loop with additional, more challenging options that pass through bushland, by waterfalls and small streams, and along fast descents. These options are in the Matamata-Piako District and should not be confused with the Hauraki Rail Trail in Matamata.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Te Poi, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Te Aroha West.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Matamata-Piako District.