Matamata

Matamata is a town in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is one of the main departure points for the Hobbiton Movie Set, which is out in the countryside.

By car
Matamata is on State Highway 27. The quickest route from Auckland is to start heading south on State Highway 1, then after crossing the Bombay Hill, turn on to State Highway 2, which leads into State Highway 27 after passing the turn-off to Tauranga.

Approximate distances and drive times are:
 * Auckland – 160 km / 2 hrs
 * Hamilton – 65 km / 50 mins
 * Tauranga – 50 km / 40 mins
 * Rotorua – 70 km / 55 mins
 * Taupo – 120 km / 90 mins

Cope
There are public toilets on Hetana St, just along from the i-Site Visitor Centre.