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The Firth Tower Museum carpark allows overnight stopovers for a small fee.
Un-powered sites $15
Powered Sites (6 available) - $20
Self-contained vehicles only.
A free dump station is available at Railside on the Green, 41A Hetana Street along with public toilets and the Matamata Citizens Advice Bureau.
Public toilets available.
https://www.firthtower.co.nz/motorhomes
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Matamata-Piako District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Matamata |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Overnight Camping Site Cost |
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Overnight Camping Site CostWhat is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Low Cost Camping You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged. |
Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight stays are only permitted if your vehicle is certified as being 'self-contained'. The vehicle must display the "Responsible Camper" sticker. |
Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins |
Campsite Managing Organisation |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? Local Council This experience is managed by a local council. |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk Gravelled path. No steps. |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in. Check the Council website for latest fees and charges www.mpdc.govt.nz |
Maximum Stay Duration |
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Maximum Stay DurationHow many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 4 nights You are permitted to stay at this campsite for up to four nights in a row. |
Maximum Sites Available |
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Maximum Sites AvailableHow many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? 6 to 10 sites There are between six and ten sites available to stay overnight in. |
Shower |
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ShowerIs there a shower at this location? No shower No shower is available. |
Dump Station |
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Dump StationDump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles. Dump station is at Hetana Street, Matamata (5-10 min drive from Firth Tower) |
Booking Required |
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Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot. |
Powered Sites |
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Powered SitesDoes this establishment have powered sites? Powered sites available This campsite offers powered sites to hook into an electricity supply. Power for six motorhomes are available for a fee of $15 |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. Carpark may be busy during normal office hours |
Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km Firth Tower Walkway connects the site to Matamata town |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. There may be steps or slopes. Suitable for people of most abilities and fitness. Stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required. |
Non-powered Sites |
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Non-powered SitesDoes this holiday park offer non-powered sites? Non-powered sites available This site offers non-powered camp sites. Stopover fee for campervans is $10 - $15 |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs. |
Vehicle Access |
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Vehicle AccessCan vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle. |
WiFi Internet |
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WiFi InternetWhat type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available. |
Campfire Rules |
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Campfire RulesWhat are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted. |
Weather Requirement |
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Weather RequirementWhat weather conditions are necessary for this experience to operate? Any weather conditions The experience operates in any weather conditions. Even if its raining, snowing or windy. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Collect the key for the toilet facility if you arrange your stay before 4pm - 07 888 8369 |
Disabled Access |
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Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? Disabled access provided This location provides access for wheelchairs. |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
✓ Clean toilets
✓ Close to Hobbiton
✓ Cheap powered sites
✓ Quirky museum
✓ Quiet and safe
𐄂 Museum sometimes closed
𐄂 Ground wet at rear
I agree with the earlier reviews.
Beautiful spot with clean toilets open 24/7.
Stopped here one night heading for Hobbiton.
Sept 19.
Great campsite.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 11 |
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29% |
9/10 | 13 |
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34% |
8/10 | 10 |
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26% |
7/10 | 4 |
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11% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
This is such a beautiful spot to camp, lovely and quiet, beautiful surrounds, clean facilities… museum is immaculate also despite being unfortunately closed on day I arrived.
FEES HAVE BEEN UPDATED:
$20 Powered
$15 Unpowered
Just slip cash in one of their marked envelopes if museum is closed.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
4.5/5
This place is beautiful!
Pretty quiet, well maintained. It was perfect for us and the kids enjoyed exploring the museum park which you can do even when the museum is closed. $20 for powered site (a bargain) and $15 unpowered. Lovely clean toilets with fly screens to stop the bugs that like to buzz around lights at night. Really enjoyed this spot and recommend it.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
4.0/5
Very cheap ($10) public toilets were clean, situated next to lovely museum, picnic tables under enormous oak trees.
20 min drive to Hobbiton
Reviewed 9 months ago
5.0/5
First campsite in NZ for us.
Not sure what to expect. Far beyond expectations, quirky museum attached which was very good. Small, clean, quiet
Reviewed 9 months ago
4.0/5
Beautiful spot with clean toilets open 24/7.
Too bad the museum was closed.
15$ powered site.
Reviewed 11 months ago
4.5/5
I agree with the earlier reviews.
You can also pay for your stay by bank transfer. The cash envelope is also still available.
There's 6 powered sites and plenty more space for non-powered.
I stayed on a Wednesday night right at the end of Spring and there were only 3 other cars/trailers in the car park.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Clean 24/7 toilets and a convenient location for accessing the Hobbiton movie set (less than 20 minute drive).
We used a powered site and had a great night sleep.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Nice, small place if you want to visit “Hobbiton movie set” as its nearby.
Clean toilets
1 night= 10$ unpowered
or 15$ powered site
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
24 hour well lit proper flushing toilets (lots of dead flies though).
$10 per van non powdered, $15 with power. Felt safe and quiet. Good little spot, would recommend.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.5/5
Great campsite.
Just 15 dollars for a powered site. Clean toilets at the parking area.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Powered site for only $15 per motorvan, nice place by the fields.
Self-Checkin/pay available 24/7
Reviewed about 2 years ago
5.0/5
This is such a beautiful spot to camp, lovely and quiet, beautiful surrounds, clean facilities… museum is immaculate also despite being unfortunately closed on day I arrived.
FEES HAVE BEEN UPDATED:
$20 Powered
$15 Unpowered
Just slip cash in one of their marked envelopes if museum is closed.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
4.5/5
This place is beautiful!
Pretty quiet, well maintained. It was perfect for us and the kids enjoyed exploring the museum park which you can do even when the museum is closed. $20 for powered site (a bargain) and $15 unpowered. Lovely clean toilets with fly screens to stop the bugs that like to buzz around lights at night. Really enjoyed this spot and recommend it.
Reviewed about 1 month ago
4.0/5
Very cheap ($10) public toilets were clean, situated next to lovely museum, picnic tables under enormous oak trees.
20 min drive to Hobbiton
Reviewed 9 months ago
5.0/5
First campsite in NZ for us.
Not sure what to expect. Far beyond expectations, quirky museum attached which was very good. Small, clean, quiet
Reviewed 9 months ago
4.0/5
Beautiful spot with clean toilets open 24/7.
Too bad the museum was closed.
15$ powered site.
Reviewed 11 months ago
4.5/5
I agree with the earlier reviews.
You can also pay for your stay by bank transfer. The cash envelope is also still available.
There's 6 powered sites and plenty more space for non-powered.
I stayed on a Wednesday night right at the end of Spring and there were only 3 other cars/trailers in the car park.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Clean 24/7 toilets and a convenient location for accessing the Hobbiton movie set (less than 20 minute drive).
We used a powered site and had a great night sleep.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Nice, small place if you want to visit “Hobbiton movie set” as its nearby.
Clean toilets
1 night= 10$ unpowered
or 15$ powered site
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
24 hour well lit proper flushing toilets (lots of dead flies though).
$10 per van non powdered, $15 with power. Felt safe and quiet. Good little spot, would recommend.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
4.5/5
Great campsite.
Just 15 dollars for a powered site. Clean toilets at the parking area.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
5.0/5
Powered site for only $15 per motorvan, nice place by the fields.
Self-Checkin/pay available 24/7
Reviewed about 2 years ago
5.0/5
Great spot!
$10 per van, $15 for power. There’s an ‘honesty box’, if the museum is closed & security come trough at night.Just off the road, but didn’t notice any traffic at night. Your allowed to wander around the historic buildings even when the museum is closed.- ground was too wet to park on the grassed area at the rear. Public toilet open 24/7. Clean flushable!
Reviewed about 2 years ago
5.0/5
A fantastic place to stay.
Heaps of Spence for a large camper. Powered sites were only $12 a night. Clean toilets. Very safe place to stay with kids.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
4.5/5
So beautiful and quiet!
The site is level and cheap! We paid $12 for powered site, it says you need to be there by 4pm but they had an after hrs kiosk to put your money in so you can get there later. You need to back up to the power boxes so other people can use them too. It was very busy so don't get there too late if you want power otherwise it was a big spot so you will still find room. Toilets were open all night and nice and clean.
Reviewed about 5 years ago
4.5/5
Sept 19.
Does exactly what it says on the tin. It's a car park with some power stations available if required. $12 for powered when we were there and they work on an honesty system (even providing envelopes for posting the cash). Clean toilet available 24 hours. Sadly the museum was closed as it' looked quirkily interesting. Good staging point for Matamata.
Reviewed about 5 years ago
5.0/5
Stayed two nights, each night 6$, really friendly people working at the museum and public toilets were good!
Thank you!
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
5.0/5
Stopped here one night heading for Hobbiton.
Great site, clean & quiet. $6 non power $12 powered, clean toilets open all night, fresh clean water supply. We both really liked this site, spoke to staff in the morning who are enlarging the site, really helpful. Stay here for a relaxing night. Top marks!!
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
5.0/5
Before heading to Hobbiton, we stayed here for a night in one of the eight powered sites for a really reasonable amount of money (can't recall the actual value we paid).
We had access to a very clear public toilet, and almost nobody was spending the night there, so we basically had the (public) place for ourselves.
Reviewed about 6 years ago
4.0/5
Good location.
Honour system payment. Get in early (before 4pm) to secure a spot. No showers, suitable bathroom and a picnic area. Would recommend.
Reviewed about 6 years ago
4.5/5
$12 flat rate for a powered vehicle is a bargain, but be cautious as there is only room for a maximum of 6 powered vehicles.
The toilets were open all night but no showers. Walked the grounds of Firth Tower Museum for free the next day, a very beautiful place to check out.
Reviewed about 6 years ago
4.0/5
A quiet place with clean toilet.
If you are early enough, you can have access to see their beautiful buildings.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
3.5/5
Tried phoning the mobile number but got an answerphone giving another number which we also rang.
No answer to that one either. On arrival at site paid the $12 via the honesty box. The toilets were clean and remained unlocked throughout the night.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.0/5
2 powered sites for $12$ per night.
Picnic tables, water. Near to the road. We just stop for eat.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.0/5
Honour system site with great toilet and water access.
Picnic tables under the trees in the courtyard. Very quiet in mid November. Passing traffic but not a problem for us. The tower and grounds are worth a visit. Def go hike at the Wairere Falls a short drive away. Also Hobbiton was great and almost makes me want to watch the films in their entirety!
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
5.0/5
We wish there would be more of such campsites/ carparks in NZ.
All you need and very nice
Power and clean toilets for $12 in total. Matamata is lovely and the campsite is quiet and very nice. We really loved it. Non- self contained friendly !!:) everything we needed.
Reviewed over 7 years ago
5.0/5
This site is beautiful!
$12 a night for a powered site with toilets and a water source from a hose. The museum is interesting and the site is 5 minutes from New World grocery store. I would recommend this site if you don't need a shower or a dump station.
Reviewed over 7 years ago
4.5/5
Compared to parks where we paid $40+ a night this was way better value for money.
Cost $12 for power, first in best dressed as there are only 6 powered spots. Toilet was clean.
Reviewed about 8 years ago
3.5/5
Pleasant spot handy to Matamata and Hobbiton.
Price is $12 for a powered site - still good value. However, couldn't find dump station, sites not clearly marked, and toilet floors could have done with a clean. Toilets themselves were clean, which is the main thing - although no paper towels left and bin overflowing, which added to mess on floor. Apart from all that would recommend for overnight stay.
Reviewed about 8 years ago
4.0/5
Just a car park but has picnic benches, toilets (they were left unlocked when we were there) and lots of space.
Within walking distance to Matamata centre, a great spot for a night or 2.
Reviewed over 8 years ago