Te Aroha to Matamata map

Te Arohato Matamata

An unexpected journey past goat, dairy and thoroughbred farms, with views to the Wairere Falls and the Firth Tower to Hobbiton (Matamata)

SECTION E

Section D - to Paeroa

26

Te Aroha

The Nunnery accommodation Te Aroha Motel Te Aroha Holiday Park

26

Kaiaua Thames

A

B

Paeroa Waihi

C

D

Te Aroha

E

Matamata

DISTANCE: 37km

Te Aroha to Manawaru: 11 km Manawaru to Wardville: 10 km Wardville to Matamata: 16 km

Mount Te Aroha

Te Aroha West

The OldForge

Cafe 77 Manawaru

T e Aroha G ordon Rd Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park

37km

27 Wardville Wardville RdArmadale Rd T ower Rd Wairere Falls

Waharoa

Mowbray Rd Old T e Aroha Rd

DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED on this section of the Rail Trail.

Matamata

Home of the Hobbiton Movie Set

27

100m

50m

0m eT ahorA 37km

5

Okauia Springs Rd

Firth Tower Museum

24

M atamata

Follow us on:

For a distance of 37km, this gentle section of trail takes in the majestic Kaimai Ranges, lush plains, eateries in former dairy factories, goat farms, the largest waterfall in the north island and gets you to the doorstep of Hobbiton. 

Striking off, the newest cafe on the trail is The Old Forge Kitchen, architecturally styled to pay homage to the stage coach and tractor wheel factory that re-opened for nights again from November 2021 (Friday and Saturday nights only). Absolutely delicious food and fun for the kids and grown-ups further along the trail, you’ll find Café 77. Their waffle with fresh cream and Nutella looks TO DIE FOR. Café 77 is another historic building, a former

Matamata i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

dairy factory, that has been transformed into an incredible community hub called Community View. The site was originally owned by the NZ Cooperative Dairy Company (now Fonterra). In 1929 it was its largest cheese factory. Café 77 is the central attraction alongside a heritage centre, beautifully painted and decorated rock wall that tells the story of the area, and function centre. You’ll find it at 420b Manawaru Rd. It’s a popular place for those with selfcontained campervans to park up and ride, situated 12km from Te Aroha headed towards Matamata. There’s space for 10, book online at www.communityview.co.nz or pay at the Café, which is open daily 8am-3pm but kitchen closes at 2pm. Community View was founded by a charitable trust, and its Chair, Stuart Bay and wife Beth worked tirelessly for three years to bring it to life. Today it hosts many local school groups as well as others from out of town, able

to challenge themselves on the climbing wall. The wall is open for use, and is the biggest in the Waikato outside the main towns.

Stu said the little church in the village wanted to give back to the community and advance its community’s connections and since the old dairy factory was falling down, it became an opportunity to do something great. They didn’t know the cycleway was going to come right past the gates. Luckily for cyclists, the trust is on the doorstep of the trail. They have put in a charging station for e-bikes and compressor for tyres. See communityview. nz and cafe77.nz or on Facebook. The site is also the home of Manawaru Heritage Centre with interesting displays of Manawaru history manawaruheritage.org. While the majority of the Te Aroha to Matamata track is compacted gravel, a 1.4km stretch of the trail along Te ArohaGordon Road to Mace Road is concrete.

Dogs are not permitted on this section of the Rail Trail except where the trail intersects the urban areas of Te Aroha and Matamata.