Matamata

Famous for being a movie set location for films like “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” Matamata is a quirky little town near the Kaimai Range Mountains. There is a guided tour that takes you through the movie set where these films took place, and the town is also home to a number of fantastic cafes and restaurants. Outdoor buffs should trek the Wairere Falls Track, a pathway that takes you to Wairere Falls, a waterfall that drops 500 feet over a steep slope. Encompassed by vibrant forestry and vegetation, the region makes for an ideal spot to do hiking and swimming activities. Call the famous Matamata your place of vacation your next getaway, and you’ll see precisely what movie producers fancied in the region.