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Matamata
4 km
1 hour 18 minutes
20 metres
Safety notice: Conditions change; check DOC/local council/weather before walking.
While Matamata is world-famous for its whimsical movie sets and rolling green hills, there is another side to this vibrant Waikato town that deserves a spot on your itinerary. If you are looking for a gentle, relaxing way to stretch your legs, soak up some local history, and enjoy the fresh country air, the Tower Road Footpath Track is an absolute gem.
This easy, flat, and fully sealed 4-kilometre out-and-back trail is perfect for families, dog walkers, and anyone wanting a peaceful stroll through the iconic Waikato countryside. Connecting the edge of the Matamata township with one of the region’s most significant historical sites, this walk offers a wonderful blend of natural beauty and heritage.
Stepping onto the Tower Road Footpath Track, you will immediately feel the bustling energy of the town fade into the background, replaced by the tranquil rhythms of rural New Zealand. The trail follows a beautifully maintained, wide concrete path that runs parallel to Tower Road, making it exceptionally easy to navigate. Because the entire track is sealed, you won’t have to worry about mud, tree roots, or slippery gravel underfoot—making it highly accessible for prams, wheelchairs, and little ones on balance bikes.
With an elevation gain of just 20 metres, the terrain is virtually flat, allowing you to focus entirely on the beautiful scenery. As you walk, you are framed on one side by grand, established trees that cast a lovely dappled shade across the path, and on the other by wide-open views of classic Waikato dairy farms. You will pass by tidy post-and-rail fences, green pastures, and grazing stock, giving you a true taste of New Zealand’s agricultural heartland.
At a leisurely pace, it takes about 40 minutes to walk the 2 kilometres from the town boundary to the historic Firth Tower Reserve, and another 40 minutes to return. It is the ultimate low-effort, high-reward walk where you can easily chat with friends, let the kids burn off some energy, or enjoy some quiet reflection.
The absolute crown jewel of this walk is the Firth Tower Reserve and Museum, located at the halfway point of your journey. It is much more than just a turnaround spot; it is a captivating portal to the past.
Parking is available at the Firth Tower Reserve and Museum (266A Tower Road, Matamata) which also offers public toilets and picnic facilities. On-street parking is also available in Matamata township. Motorhomes are welcome at Firth Tower 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with designated power sites or grass areas for non-powered sites.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Endemic New Zealand honeyeater with distinctive white throat tuft and iridescent plumage. Known for its complex and beautiful song.
Best time: Year-round
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Small insectivorous bird with distinctive fan-shaped tail. Friendly and curious, often following walkers through the bush.
Best time: Year-round
Refuel after your hike at these nearby spots
3.4km away
An award-winning, locally themed bar and eatery offering a diverse menu with Kiwi favourites, great tap beers, and a comfortable atmosphere, often a popular spot for Hobbiton visitors.
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Out and back
Built in 1882 by the industrious entrepreneur Josiah Clifton Firth, the towering 16-metre concrete structure was originally constructed to serve as a lookout over his vast 22,000-hectare Matamata Estate, as well as an estate office and a defensive homestead during a period of colonial tension. Today, it stands proudly as one of New Zealand's earliest reinforced concrete buildings.
Beyond the tower itself, the reserve has grown into a vibrant heritage park featuring 13 beautifully restored historic buildings. You can wander through a vintage schoolhouse, an old jail, a pioneer homestead, and a church, all of which house fascinating displays of late 19th-century pioneer life.
The surrounding gardens are equally impressive. There are wide, manicured lawns perfect for children to run around on, towering specimen trees, and colourful flowerbeds. Be sure to bring a camera—the contrast of the historic white tower against the deep blue Waikato sky and lush greenery makes for some spectacular photos.
The Tower Road Footpath Track is highly accessible, with two main starting points depending on how you wish to structure your day.
If you are starting from the Matamata township, you can park on-street near the intersection of Tower Road and Rawhiti Avenue. From there, simply follow the footpath heading east out of town.
Alternatively, you can park directly at the destination. The Firth Tower Reserve and Museum (located at 266A Tower Road, Matamata) offers a large, free, off-street gravel car park. Starting here allows you to do the walk first and reward yourself with a tour of the museum and a picnic afterwards. The reserve also boasts excellent public toilets and beautiful picnic facilities.
For those travelling in motorhomes, the Firth Tower Reserve is incredibly welcoming. Motorhomes can park here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with designated powered sites available for a small fee, as well as spacious grass areas for non-powered stays.
Though this is a roadside rural track, the mature trees lining Tower Road and the historic gardens of the reserve act as a thriving sanctuary for local birdlife. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open as you walk.
You are almost guaranteed to hear the beautiful, complex melodies of the tūī echoing from the treetops year-round. These glossy, dark-feathered birds are highly active in the area, especially when the flax and native trees are in bloom.
Closer to the ground, you will likely be accompanied by the cheeky pīwakawaka (fantail), flitting erratically alongside the path to catch the tiny insects stirred up by your footsteps. Look out also for the delicate tauhou (silvereye) moving in busy little flocks through the hedges.
If you are lucky, you might hear a heavy, rhythmic swooping sound overhead—this is the distinct flight of the kererū (New Zealand woodpigeon), which occasionally visits the large fruiting trees in the reserve.
The area surrounding Matamata holds deep historical significance. Long before European settlers arrived, the fertile plains of the Waikato were highly valued by Māori for agriculture and trade, sitting within the traditional rohe (territory) of Ngāti Hauā.
When European colonisation began, figures like Josiah Clifton Firth transformed the landscape through large-scale farming enterprises. Firth was a highly influential, if controversial, industrialist who cleared the Waihou River of obstructions to allow steamships to transport goods directly from his Matamata estate to Auckland. The Firth Tower itself represents this era of rapid agricultural expansion and the complex colonial history of the Waikato land wars. Walking this track and visiting the museum offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on how these intersecting histories shaped the modern Waikato landscape we see today.
After completing your walk, you will undoubtedly have worked up an appetite. Fortunately, Matamata's vibrant food scene is just a few minutes' drive away. Here are three fantastic local spots to refuel:
Zosterops lateralis
Small bird with distinctive white eye-ring. Commonly seen in flocks, feeding on insects, fruit, and nectar.
Best time: Year-round
Turdus merula
Introduced from Britain, the male blackbird is easily identified by its glossy black plumage and bright orange bill and eye-ring.
Best time: Year-round
Passer domesticus
One of the most numerous birds in New Zealand's urban areas, house sparrows are adaptable and often seen foraging for seeds and scraps.
Best time: Year-round
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round
3.4km away
A fresh, modern provincial pub in the heart of Matamata, offering welcoming Kiwi hospitality, great food, and locally brewed craft beers and ciders from Good George Brewery.
3.5km away
A charming and cozy cafe in the heart of Matamata, known for its excellent coffee, delicious home baking, and friendly service, with gluten-free options available.