Te Tapui Loop Track

The Te Tapui Loop Track boasts stunning views across to the Kaimai Ranges and Firth of Thames from the summit lookout tower.

The 3-4 hour Waikato walk is a loop track that can be done in either direction. The tracks leads a short way into the peaceful bush surrounds before splitting in two directions. The track on the right is a shorter route to the summit, but includes a steady climb, while the left track is gentler, but a longer walk.

Visitors are rewarding with great views from the summit, the perfect spot for a picnic before the descent back down.

Please Note: Many of the walking trails in the Waikato region do not allow dogs. Hamilton & Waikato Tourism recommend checking with the local council before taking your dog on any of the trails in the region.

Pricing

Free

Proximity to Town:

30 minutes drive to Matamata and Morrinsville

Activity Duration:

3-4 hour (4km) loop track

Trail access:

Access to the walking track is from the west side of the reserve from Piakonui Rd.

Hobbiton Movie Set

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

Experience Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Your guided tour starts with a drive through our picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Journey past the colourful Hobbit Hole™ doors that scatter the hillsides, including the iconic Bag End, home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, before arriving at Bagshot Row™ for a glimpse of the interior of a humble Hobbit’s home. Continue along the pathways past The Millhouse, across the double-arch stone bridge and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn, where you will enjoy a complimentary, exclusive beverage Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range to conclude your Middle-earth adventure.

Meghan Maloney

New Zealand Photography Tours with Meghan Maloney

I help people experience the real New Zealand, not the one you find just by visiting the usual tourist spots. My vast travel experience means I know the best photography locations and I'm passionate about showing off our beautiful country, helping my guests to capture their own amazing images of our beautiful country while learning new photography skills along the way. My guided photography tours are available throughout New Zealand and can be personalised to your itinerary and the locations you wish to visit. Or you can choose to attend one of my scheduled weekend group workshops where you'll enjoy meeting other photographers and improving your photography craft at some of New Zealand's most unique and photogenic locations.

Lavender Backyard Garden

Lavender Backyard Garden

With a stunning section of land in a rural settlement outside Hamilton, Lavender Backyard Garden has grown from scant to lush. “We are so proud of our work that’s made our empty fields, once full of grass, into our little dream”. This abundant block is now not only a bustling Pick-Your-Own (PYO) Blueberry and Lavender Farm, but a ‘Backyard Garden’ where anyone can come to sit down and relax among the fields of lavender with a cup of coffee and tasty blueberry and lavender foods. Lavender Backyard Garden developed their own natural aromatherapy items by using their lavender essential oil. Only a 10 minute drive from central Hamilton.

Matamata isite

Matamata isite Visitor Information Centre

The Matamata isite Visitor Centre is part of New Zealand's official nationwide Visitor Information Network. Centrally located in the busy rural Waikato town of Matamata and nestled at the base of the scenic Kaimai Ranges our isite staff are local experts and can assist you with all your enquiries. As well as being a departure point for the Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Matamata offers a wide range of walking and tramping options, golf courses, and an extensive selection of cafes & accommodation.

Phillip Bartlett

2026 New Zealand Luxury Photography Escape 8 Day

The bespoke 8-day New Zealand Luxury Photography Tour has been created with your absolute comfort in mind. Indulge your senses on this exciting adventure, the pinnacle of small-group photography travel currently available in New Zealand. In the style of a custom experience we have tailor-made this exclusive photography workshop for discerning travellers who seek the ultimate combination of breath-taking photography locations, world-class private lodge accommodation, and exquisite fine-dining cuisine.

Hobbiton Movie Set

Rotorua to Auckland via Hobbiton Movie Set One-Way Private Tour

Enjoy some of New Zealand’s most beautiful scenery and combine a luxury transfer from Rotorua to Auckland with a visit to the world-famous Hobbiton Movie Set along the way to Auckland. After pick-up in Rotorua, we drive across the Mamaku Plateau to the Hobbiton Movie Set near the rural town of Matamata, made famous as the original setting of Sir Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. On the 2.5 hour tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, get astonishing insights into how these movies were made and which parts of the movies were filmed here. Not only movie fans will enjoy this unique experience with inside views of the Hobbit village including Hobbit Holes, Bag End and The Green Dragon Inn.

All things to do

This website helps visitors connect with providers of great tourism experiences. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider complies with its safety obligations. Users should seek more information from the provider concerned. While Hamilton & Waikato Tourism will do its utmost to ensure the information contained within this website is accurate, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, offers or details of any information or operator listings. Prices, timetables and other details or terms of business may change without notice. The information included in this website is not advice and does not imply any endorsement by Hamilton & Waikato Tourism.