Matamata township information

The ride from Paeroa to Te Aroha is a leisurely 2-3 hour journey through verdant green farmland with Mount Te Aroha as your constant companion. It is a 23km ride and is once again a flat and easy section of riding through New Zealand rural life.

Wake up to native birds singing from the domain next door with everything Te Aroha has to offer, only 1-minute walk from your motel door, bush walks, world famous natural spas, tepid public swimming pools, supermarket and several restaurants, bars and cafés.

Your hosts – Robin and Glenys Contact us • www.tearohamotel.co.nz Te Aroha Motel 108 Whitaker Street, Te Aroha, New Zealand Tel:+64 7 884 9417 • e Bike and standard bike hire available • Charging station • Self-contained, Airconditioned units • Secure bike storage (locked shipping container) • People & bike shuttle available

TE AROHATE AROHATE AROHA

Rail Trail to / from Paeroa Historic Railway Station Church St Rewi StSkate Park Old Rail Bridge Te Aroha Domain Koromiko St Rata StBrick StPuriri St Miro StManukaJubilee AveEma St Gilchrist StShakespeare St Farmer St Lawrence AveBurgess St Boundary St Whitaker St Whitaker St Kenrick St Rolleston St GeorgeSeddon St Massey St Millar StEma St Rewi St Lipsey StHoni St LawrenceTerminus Spur St Wilson St To Paeroa / Auckland To Hamilton / Auckland Russell Ave BurkeTo Tauranga Shopping / Cafés Te Aroha-Gordon Rd King St 26 D 26 26 Howarth Memorial Wetland Track Mokena Geyser Walking Tracks Tutumangao Falls Mountain Bike Trails Reservoir To summit Rail Trail to /from Matamata E KEY Information Centre Heritage Site Bike Hire/ Servicing Hot Springs/ Pools Café/ Restaurant Toilets Car Park Walking Tracks Accommodation Campervans

Te Aroha i-SITE 102 Whitaker Street, Te Aroha Phone: 07 884 8052 Email: info@tearohanz.co.nz

For information on Places to Dine, Accommodation and Things to See & Do in Te Aroha visit...

www.haurakirailtrail.co.nz

Te Aroha became renowned in the 1800s for the healing properties in the mineral water of the springs that lie beneath the town and HEALING Waters

thousands of people would flock to the area, mostly by boat or train to ‘take the waters’.

Today the township has a romantic bygone era feel, with delightful old cottages restored lovingly that serve as quaint boutique accommodation. An historic spa town, Te Aroha is home to the world’s only hot soda water geyser, Mokena, located in the Edwardian Hot Spring Domain. The domain remains intact today and is the perfect place for a picnic. Walk through the gardens and make time for a relaxing soak at Te Aroha Mineral Spas which are located here. In the town you’ll see sculptures from local artist Adrian Worsley who fashions creations out of scrap metal. There are excellent local cafes, making Te Aroha an easy Waikato town to spend time in. The Hauraki Rail Trail is flat through the Te Aroha section, but you will enjoy views of the rolling landscape around Te Aroha. The outskirts of town are dominated by a patchwork of dairy and sheep farms, providing an insight into classic rural kiwi life.

The quaint town of Te Aroha has many incredible walks on its doorstep.

Local’s Tip

For those up for a challenging hike, the Mount Te Aroha Summit is reached by a two and a half hour hike from the town and provides wide views of the Waikato plains, Mount Ruapehu, and the Bay of Plenty coast. Gentler tracks can be found around its wide base.

Day and overnight hiking trails are easily accessed in the Kaimai-Mamuku Forest Park at Waiorongomai Valley, New Zealand’s oldest bush tramway with original rail still in place. Visit www.doc.govt.nz for more on these walks.

THE OLD FORGE KITCHEN

BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER CATERING FUNCTIONS

sCOME VISIT THE NEWEST CAFÉ ON THE TRAIL

9 Alexandra Road Te Aroha West info@theoldforge.co.nz 07 884 8338

The trail is flat but if you want elevated views, try a hike up Mt Te Aroha.

Mount Te Aroha, which sits at 952m kinsman at Kaipara. As was the habit with high, is the highest point in the this explorer, he ascended to the highest

Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park and is part of an ancient volcanic chain point possible along the way. As he stood on top of the mountain, he was overjoyed to see the familiar landmarks of his tribal from 24 to 2 million years ago. home he decided to name it “Aroha ki tai” The Department of Conservation records – This shall be called the Mountain of Aroha. that Te Aroha got its The legend continues name from Rahiri, the that in time the spirit ancestor of Ngati of Kahumatamomoe Rahiri Tumutumu, caused a stream of who climbed the crystal water to mountain and saw flow from the heart his homeland in the of the mountain. distance and felt a Where the stream sense of love (aroha) emerged there for it. The name is appeared hot springs often rendered in with healing qualities. English as “place A clear pool in the cleft of love”. of a rock was known as One story tells of the son of Arawa chief, Kahumatamomoe. the “Mirror of Te Mamoe” and became a wishing well for newly married couples. 62 l Hauraki Rail Trail Aroha ki tai Kahu was on his way home from visiting a

5BEST REASONS TO VISIT TE AROHA

1. Waiorongomai Valley walks, Mt Te Aroha with spectacular 360o views from the top, Howarth Memorial Wetlands, Tutumangaeo Falls and more…visit www.tearoha.co.nz or the local i-site for info. Ph 07 884 8052.

2. Soak in Te Aroha Mineral Spas mineral waters after a ride or head to Te Aroha Swim Zone with the kids.

3. Te Aroha Domain for a gentile walk and picnic and visit the only hot soda water geyser in the Southern Hemisphere (AD’s note – the hot soda mineral spas are the only ones in the world). 4. Adventure Te Aroha for a guided paddle or SUP tour of the Waihou River.

5. Call into Adrian Worsley’s gallery and workshop to marvel at sculptures made from scrap metal, or stroll around the historic town and see some of his sculptures adorning Te Aroha’s main street.

SECTION E

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

Section D - to Paeroa

Te Aroha

26

Mount Te Aroha

The Nunnery accommodation Te Aroha Motel Te Aroha Holiday Park Te Aroha West

26

Kaiaua

A Thames

B

Paeroa

D

Te Aroha Waihi

C

E

Matamata

DISTANCE: 37km Te Aroha to Manawaru: 11 km Manawaru to Wardville: 10 km Wardville to Matamata: 16 km

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

The OldForge

Cafe 77 Manawaru

T e Aroha G ordon Rd Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park

27 37km

Wardville Wardville RdArmadale Rd T ower Rd Wairere Falls

Waharoa

Matamata Home of the Hobbiton Movie Set

27 Mowbray Rd Old T e Aroha Rd Okauia Springs Rd

Firth Tower Museum

24

THE NEW ZEALAND CYCLE TRAIL

100m 50m 0m eT ahorA

5 37km M atamata

63 100m 50m 0m

Follow us on:

Rural Surprise nestled in the heart of the Waihou Valley

The newest cafe on the trail, Café 77 is situated right on the Hauraki Rail Trail approx half way between Te Aroha and Matamata, in what was once the cream can landing platform of the old derelict Manawaru Dairy Factory with its original registered number 77. Now a restored heritage site it was in 1902 the first Dairy Co-operative in the Waikato and in 1929 was rebuilt as the largest cheese factory in NZ. Welcoming cyclists not only for great food, coffee and drinks, there is also a wide range of bike racks, plus an air compressor to keep riders comfortable on their journey. There is free Wifi so you can check your emails as you enjoy the beautiful view of Mt Te Aroha and the Kaimai ranges while taking a break, or simply relax under the oak tree on the picnic tables in parklike surroundings. There is plenty of off road vehicle parking for cyclists to use as the start or end point to their day on the Trail. Within the lovely landscaped grounds there is a Motorhome and Caravan Park along with EV charging for cars and E-bikes.

The Café offers indoor and outdoor seating, with outdoor heaters and sunshades so you will always be comfortable. The on site event centre Community View is available for group gatherings, complete with a stunning multi themed rock climbing wall for the adventurous.

See communityview.nz and cafe77.nz or Community View and Cafe 77 on Facebook. The site is also the home of Manawaru Heritage Centre with interesting displays of Manawaru history. See manawaruheritage.org/ or Facebook

For an inspiring stay in a rural setting, the Kahuimanu BnB is a one acre rural lifestyle property on the edge of a working farm 10km from Te Aroha. If cycling from the trail, a recommended route is on their website.

Hosts Pauline and Steve Southall are accommodating in many ways. They invite guests to explore their orchard and vege gardens, “visit the chooks, have a game of petanque, or just soak in the spa while watching Mt Te Aroha’s ever-changing vistas unfold”.

Two wheelers can park a bike in the garage next to the house for added security and they have a well-stocked garage with tools, parts, lubes and cleaners if your bike is in need of some quick maintenance. Kahuimanu loosely translates as a flock of birds, they say, and it’s their goal through planting and pest control to have many native birds as company for themselves and guests. Steve is happy to do a pick up from Te Aroha for up to four people and bikes, if you’re tired.

Kahuimanu BnB Join us in our idyllic rural surroundings with vistas to Te Aroha. Kahuimanu BnB offers clean, modern, cycle-friendly accommodation & services for up to four guests in a rural setting just 10km from Te Aroha. Visit www.kahuimanu.nz for details.

MATAMATAMATAMATAMATAMATA

Home of the Hobbiton Movie Set Bedford Matai AveRata St Station Rd Stanley St College St Burnwood Rd T o R o toru a /H a m i l t o Rawhiti Ave RaupoManawa Price Weka StKaraka St Ngaio St Tawari St Tawari StKauri CresWaharoa Rd Bridle Ave Tahawai Kilbride Rd Waihou St To Tauranga To Hamilton / Auckland Totara Ave Tawa St Fitzgerald Ave Peria Rd Dawson Vincent St BarnardWestern St Fi ndlater St Centennial Dr Ratcliffe Findlater St Mati po St Puriri Hospital Tower Rd Gouk St Sim StVosper Kiwi St Burnwood Rd Tainui StTui Com ber Browne Tamihana StHuia St Gladstone Firth St HetanaCentral StElizabeth St Farmers Rd Smith St Bedford Park Pohlen Park Matamata DomainSmith St Rawhiti Ave A r a w a S t Miro Hohaia St Rata St Meura St Tawa St Short St Arawa Rail Trail to / from Te Aroha Shopping / Cafés 24 24 27 27 Jellicoe Rd n ( via Cam b r i dg e ) KEY Information Centre Café/ Restaurant Accommodation 501 Buckland Rd Heritage Site Toilets Campervans

Hinuera, Matamata (16km from Matamata i-SITE) Banks Rd Bike Hire/ Servicing Car Park Camping

Matamata i-SITE 45 Broadway, Matamata, NZ Ph: 07 888 7260 Email: info@matamataNZ.co.nz

For information on Places to Dine, Accommodation and Things to See & Do in Te Aroha visit...

www.haurakirailtrail.co.nz

So you’re off to Middle Earth? The Hauraki rail trail links Te Aroha with Matamata, offering visitors a 37km rural ride.

Riding a rail trail on this section gives you time to reflect on the following fun fact: A small railway station in the middle of the plains is how the town of Matamata was born 130-odd years ago. To the stream of visitors who frequent the movie set where The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit Trilogies were filmed, Matamata is much better known as Middle Earth. In fact, Matamata means ‘headland’. This was the name of a new pa established in 1830 by Te Waharoa, the Ngati Haua chief, on a ridge of high ground projecting into the swampy valley of the Waitoa River.

Rural in nature, it is a bustling township that’s been enlivened by the world’s only living movie set – Hobbiton.

Guided tours around the 39 hobbit holes and Green Dragon Inn are kept to small groups rather than large herds and the best time according to our guide on tour, is midSpring.

The house with no nails

Catering to New Zealand guests who can’t get away overseas has been one of the big changes for accommodation providers on the rail trail this year, and Jen Roberts of House with the No Nails is collaborating with other locals to offer longer stays and activities that make the experience special. “We’ve seen groups of cyclists that are going from the top of the North Island all the way to the South Island, groups that bring in an opera singer to perform, and we’ve started to get groups who wanted to go to France giving themselves a French scene experience by us providing a French menu.” Jen says the business ‘turned a corner’ postCovid, with collaboration and a fresh take on what guests want at the forefront. “Instead of staying one night people are going to Hobbiton, stay three or four nights and have an in-barn dinner by candlelight, sitting under the stars, and they’ll explore the Wairere Falls and walks in the region or hike to the summit of Te Aroha.

“We team up with local tour operators to provide a much longer stay.”

Unique

COUNTRY STYLE B&B AT OUR HANDCRAFTED BARN

80WaghornRoad,RDWaharoa|housewithnonails.co.nz Bookdirect.Phonemob.0210320176or(07)8880911

watch for drivers opening doors. FREE 2020-2021 ADULT CYCLE SKILLS COURSES  Claim the lanewhen the road width requires it, or when you need to position yourselffor a turn or roundabout.  Make eye contact with drivers  Scan ahead for potential hazards i.e. pedestrians, dogs or drivers who have not seen you. Each course is two morning sessions:  Know the road rules and follow them.

Thames

Ride in as smooth a line as possible. Waihi Matamata Where possible, choose a safe route.

Paeroa

Wear an approved helmet.Make sure it fits firmly and keep it done up. If your helmets gets dented or Whitianga Te Aroha broken in a crash or droppedheavily, replace it! Call to put your name down and our team will contact you when the next course in your town is available. MORE INFORMATION

Group sessions with maximum number of 12, booking is essential!

Enjoy the Journey

For more technical bike tips see the NZTA cyclists road code: www.nzta.govt.nz

You will need a road worthy bike How to stay safe when you are cycling

and an approved helmet What to look for to check your bikeCheck out thewww.nzta.govt.nz/walking-cycling-and-public-transport/cycling Learn what ‘Pedal ready’ means Designed for adults who can ride a bikeTo find a group/club in your region: www.cyclingnewzealand.nz

For HaurakiRail Trail status: www.haurakirailtrail.co.nz Phone Thames-Coromandel District Council on 07 868 0200 to book your space! Road Safety IS EVERYONE’S Responsibility To report a State Highway road hazard: 0800 44 44 49 To report a local road hazard: Thames-Coromandel District Council: 07 869 0200, HaurakiDistrict Council:07 862 8609, Matamata-Piako District Council: 07 884 0060

More Information: For everyday riding tips: www.bikeready.govt.nz/adults/ tips-for-everyday-bike-ridingbeginners-to-advanced

Check your bike regularly - brakes, wheels, tyres, chain, pedals, headset, crank, seat Be pedal ready Regularly check behind you Work on your bike skills - practice the 5 L’s Be seen ~ wear bright clothing, lights and reflectors. Ride at least one metre out from parked cars and watch for drivers opening doors. Claim the lane when the road width requires it, or when you need to position yourself for a turn or roundabout. Make eye contact with drivers Scan ahead for potential hazards i.e. pedestrians, dogs, or drivers who have not seen you. Know the road rules and follow them. Be safe, Be seen

Be predictable

Be courteous

Be prepared Communicate

Claim the lane

Expect the unexpected Scan for hazards

Trip planning - less is best

For more technical bike tips see the NZTA cyclists road code: www.nzta.govt.nz Check out: www.nzta.govt.nz/walkingcycling-and-public-transport/cycling To find a group/club in your region: www.cyclingnewzealand.nz For Hauraki Rail Trail status: www.haurakirailtrail.co.nz

To report a State Highway road hazard: 0800 44 44 49 To report a local road hazard: Thames-Coromandel District Council: 07 868 0200 Hauraki District Council: 07 862 8609 Matamata-Piako District Council: 07 884 0060