8 best Matamata camping grounds

Set amongst rolling green hills and farmland, Matamata is renowned as the home of the Hobbiton Movie Set from the Lord of the Rings films. Beyond the Shire, however, there is so much to do in the surrounding areas. Make the most of your trip and stay nearby at one of the best Matamata camping grounds!

Each Matamata campsite on this list is within a 30-minute drive of the town centre and offers scenic grounds and great facilities. For each listing, we’ve included the address, price per night and information on the nearby attractions.

Making the list of the best Matamata campgrounds are:

• Opal Hot Springs and Holiday Park

• Brocks Place Matamata

• Da Barn Campersite

• Firth Tower Museum Carpark

• Epworth Retreat & Recreation Centre

• Mighty River Domain (Lake Karapiro)

• Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park

• Te Aroha Holiday Park - Campground & Hot Pool

Visiting Matamata to see the Hobbiton Movie Set? Check out other filming locations nearby on this Lord of the Rings road trip!

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Best Matamata campsites: 8 spots to sleep under the stars

1. Opal Hot Springs and Holiday Park

Image: Opal Hot Springs and Holiday Park Facebook_.

Address: 257 Okauia Springs Road, Okauia 3471 | Price: From $18.50 per night

The Opal Hot Springs Holiday Park provides open campsites amongst 6ha of park-like grounds on the banks of the Waihou River. There are 80 powered and non-powered sites available. It is an 8-minute drive from the Matamata town centre.

The best part about this camping ground is the five pools that are available to guests. Swim in the 25-metre outdoor heated lane pool, soak in the two outdoor mineral pools or book a private session in one of the spas.

The Opal Hot Springs Holiday Park is a great choice if you want to play the adjoining Matamata Golf Club. You should also take the 5-minute drive to the nearby Wairere Falls, the highest waterfall on the North Island.

Bookings can be made online.

Facilities at Opal Hot Springs and Holiday Park include:

• Camp kitchen

• TV room

• Bathroom blocks

• Laundry

• Kiosk

• WiFi

• Hot mineral outdoor and private pools

• Barbecue and picnic areas.

• Pet-friendly.

2. Brocks Place Matamata

Address: 277B Buckland Road, Matamata 3472 | Price: From $8 per night

Brocks Place is a farmstay campsite near Matamata and Hobbiton. Set amongst rolling green hills and farmland, it offers unpowered sites for campervans. It is a 10-minute drive from the Matamata town centre.

This option is great for those who want to camp off-grid and amongst nature. Enjoy the serenity of this quiet and peaceful camping ground and make the most of the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Brocks Place is also one of the closest Matamata camping grounds to the Hobbiton Movie Set, being only a 5-minute drive away. It is perfect for those wanting to spend one night in Matamata after visiting the Hobbit Holes, Shire Mill and Party Tree during the day.

Bookings can be made by calling the owners.

Facilities at Brocks Place Matamata include:

• Paid hot showers ($2 per 5 mins)

• Sinks

• Toilets.

3. Da Barn Campersite

__ Image: Da Barn Facebook_.

Address: Karapiro 3472 | Price: From $40 per night

Da Barn Campsite is another farm stay camping ground near Matamata and Hobbiton. Set amongst lush farmland, it only caters to self-contained campervans. It is a 15-minute drive from Matamata town centre.

The nice thing about this campsite is that you can meet the farm animals, including cows, sheep, goats and chickens. The friendly owners can also cook you breakfast and dinner for a fee.

Da Barn Campsite is one of the closest camping grounds to the Hobbiton Movie Set, given that it is one of the neighbouring properties. Plus, the owners offer courtesy rides from Hobbiton at night if you want to partake in the Evening Banquet Tour at the Green Dragon Inn.

Bookings are preferred and can be made online. Alternatively, you can just turn up. Cash is the only accepted payment method (no card machine).

Facilities at Da Barn Campsite include:

• Laundry ($10)

• BBQ ($10)

• Swimming pool

• Paid breakfast and dinner

• Courtesy night ride from Hobbiton

• Small dogs on leash allowed.

4. Firth Tower Museum Carpark

__ Image: Firth Tower Museum Facebook_.

Address: 266A Tower Road, Matamata 3471 | Price: From $10 per night

The Firth Tower Museum Carpark offers unpowered and powered campsites for certified self-contained motorhomes and caravans. It is a 5-minute drive from the Matamata town centre.

This car-park camping ground is open 24 hours a day, making it a great option for those who arrive in Matamata late at night. Upon arrival, you can pay the staff at the kiosk or drop your payment in the honesty box if you arrive after hours.

This camping ground is the car park for the Firth Tower, one of New Zealand’s largest farming museums. Walk around the tranquil gardens, picnic under shady oaks and learn about life in the 19th Century. The Firth Tower itself was built in 1882 and offers beautiful views over the countryside.

Bookings are not required.

Facilities at the Firth Tower Museum Carpark include:

• Public toilet access (24/7)

• Security surveillance

• Fresh water

• Pets are welcome on a leash (camping/parking area only).

5. Te Aroha Holiday Park - Campground & Hot Pool

__ Image: Te Aroha Holiday Park Facebook_.

Address: 217 Stanley Road South, Te Aroha 3391 | Price: From $22 per night

The Te Aroha Holiday Park offers private campsites surrounded by plantings and oak trees, under the watchful eye of Mount Te Aroha (the “Mountain of Love”). Unpowered and powered sites are available. It is a 23-minute drive from Matamata town centre and a 5-minute drive from the town of Te Aroha.

Guests can relax in the camping grounds' heated mineral pools, which open every night. Soak in the natural waters (between 37 - 39 °C) and admire the beautiful rural setting.

Don’t miss the Karangahake Windows Walk (2.5km loop), an easy and short walk that follows a river gorge, crosses over a suspension bridge and through historic gold mining tunnels. For something more challenging, try the Mount Te Aroha Summit Walk and enjoy panoramic views.

Bookings can be made online.

Facilities at the Te Aroha Holiday Park include:

• Bathroom blocks

• Communal kitchen

• Free WiFi

• Playground

• Swimming pools

• Pet friendly.

6. Epworth Retreat & Recreation Centre

__ Image: Epworth Retreat and Recreational Facility Facebook_.

Address: 116 Finlay Road, Hora Hora, Cambridge 3494 | Price: From $19 per night

The Epworth Retreat & Recreation Centre offers 12 acres of picturesque camping ground on the shores of the Waikato River. There are 50 campsites, 11 of which are powered. It is a 25-minute drive from the Matamata town centre.

This is a great option if you don’t need to stay too close to Matamata. It is a relaxing and natural atmosphere with plenty of room.

Nearby is Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, an ancient forest and animal sanctuary surrounded by one of the world’s longest pest-proof fences. Join a guided tour or take the 5-hour bush walking trail to see endangered species such as kaka, kiwi, geckos, giant weta, frogs and more!

Bookings are essential and can be made by emailing or phoning the owners.

Facilities at the Epworth Retreat and Recreation Centre include:

• Bathroom blocks

• Camp kitchen

• Swimming pool

• Playgrounds

• Bush sanctuary

• Barbecues

• Boat ramp.

7. Mighty River Domain (Lake Karapiro)

__ Image: Mighty River Domain Lake Karapiro Facebook_.

Address: 601 Maungatautari Road, Maungatautari 3494 | Price: From $20 per night

The Mighty River Domain offers 60 powered and 80 non-powered campsites on the banks of Lake Karāpiro. It is a 30-minute drive from Matamata and a 10-minute drive from the town of Cambridge.

This is another good option if you are not needing to stay too close to Matamata. It allows you to also visit nearby attractions in Cambridge, such as the Cambridge Museum and Tour of Duty Paintball.

Bookings can be made online.

Facilities at Mighty River Domain include:

• Amenity blocks

• Camp kitchen

• Paid laundry

• Dump station

• Fresh water.

8. Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park

Image: Cambridge Top 10 Holiday Park Facebook_.

Address: 32 Scott Street, Leamington, Cambridge 3534 | Price: From $30 per night

The Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park offers campsites amongst park-like ground surrounded by trees. It is a 30-minute drive from the Matamata town centre and within walking distance of the Cambridge town centre.

This is a good option for families who are travelling from Auckland and want to visit various tourist destinations in the area, such as Hamilton, Waitomo and Matamata. It offers a wide array of family-friendly facilities.

Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park is about a 20-minute drive from Hamilton. Here, you can visit the five themed areas of the highly-rated Hamilton Gardens or take the kids to Hamilton Zoo (the largest zoo on the North Island). It is also a 50-minute drive from the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Bookings can be made online.

Facilities at the Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park include:

• Camp kitchen

• Bathroom blocks

• Free WiFi

• Pet-friendly

• Playground

• Barbecues

• Laundry

• Dump station

• Dining area.

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