Before the Hobbits arrived the most famous landmark in Matamata was the Firth Tower (well, that and Ronnies bakery), which is situated just a couple of kilometres out of town on the originally named Tower Road. So that’s why we headed out there for our photo and movie, coupled with the fact that Marko was a little to shy to jump out of the car in the middle of town and stand by the sign everyone’s seen…
There’s no denying, however, that the small creature’s with big hairy feet have put this small town on the map. Visitor numbers went through the roof after the Hobbiton Movie Set opened for tours and Matamata has the cafes and bakeries to prove it.
