Piopio Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

On the long drive between the Coromandel and New Plymouth I saw a sign for "Hobbit filming location" in Piopio. Swinging a right off the main road, 15km later through the most beautiful farmland and some gravel roads and I arrive at Hairy Feet Waitomo, a farm where the troll scenes from the Hobbit were shot. Getting to explore the farm with Suzy the owner was an incredible experience, not to mention seeing the exact spots where scenes were filmed. So glad I followed my instincts and turned right!
On the long drive between the Coromandel and New Plymouth I saw a sign for "Hobbit filming location" in Piopio. Swinging a right off the main road, 15km later through the most beautiful farmland and some gravel roads and I arrive at Hairy Feet Waitomo, a farm where the troll scenes from the Hobbit were shot. Getting to explore the farm with Suzy the owner was an incredible experience, not to mention seeing the exact spots where scenes were filmed. So glad I followed my instincts and turned right!

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Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery

3 out of 5
12 Ruru Street Piopio Waikato
The price is NZ$110 per night from 27 Feb to 28 Feb
NZ$110
27 Feb - 28 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Piopio. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (204 reviews)
Room was comfortable, food and drinks in the restaurant excellent and the staff was lovely. Manager Dee fantastic. Thank you for another lovely stay

Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery
Waitomo Village Chalets Home of Kiwipaka

Waitomo Village Chalets Home of Kiwipaka

3 out of 5
Hotel Access Rd. Waitomo Caves
The price is NZ$100 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
NZ$100
19 Mar - 20 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Waitomo Caves. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Caveworld ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (235 reviews)
Rooms were clean and presentable. Staff accomodated with a very late checkin and early breakfast requirements. Only negative, not enough parking for number of units on site. Overall will definetely come again

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2026

Waitomo Village Chalets Home of Kiwipaka
Waitomo Lodge

Waitomo Lodge

2 out of 5
62 Te Kumi Rd Te Kuiti Waikato
The price is NZ$179 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
NZ$179
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Te Kuiti. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (249 reviews)
Staff very helpful. Convenient location on my travels. Room as described

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2026

Waitomo Lodge
See all 51 properties in Piopio
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Woodlyn Park

Woodlyn Park

3.5 out of 5
1177 Waitomo Valley Road Waitomo Caves Waikato
Stay at this aparthotel in Waitomo Caves. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Woodlyn Park ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (258 reviews)
Location was great, we stayed in the tail end of the plan, for tall people remember to bob down as we smacked our heads on a regular basis. Basic accommodation but it had a fridge, small kitchen area shower and toilet.

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026

Woodlyn Park
Effort Unit Waitanic Park Waitomo Woodlyn Park

Effort Unit Waitanic Park Waitomo Woodlyn Park

Waitomo Waikato
Stay at this houseboat in Waitomo Caves. Enjoy a picnic area. Popular attractions Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Woodlyn Park are located nearby.
6/10 (2 reviews)
The room felt damp and smelt musky. The property required maintenance and updating. Fun for little kids. Power point for tv a worry, with cords not safely plugged in

Reviewed on 22 Oct 2025

Effort Unit Waitanic Park Waitomo Woodlyn Park
MOKAU 'Number One'<br>Bach situated 5 minutes drive from Mokau<br>1 Briscoe st Awakino

MOKAU 'Number One'<br>Bach situated 5 minutes drive from Mokau<br>1 Briscoe st Awakino

Awakino Waikato
Stay at this holiday home in Awakino. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios and in-room fireplaces. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (147 reviews)
very unique place, unique stay and experience. the place is clean and has what we need.

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026

MOKAU 'Number One'<br>Bach situated 5 minutes drive from Mokau<br>1 Briscoe st Awakino
See all properties in Piopio
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of Piopio

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
0
5 - Excellent 0%
4 - Good
4
4 - Good 80%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The people were friendly and it has all amenities. I really enjoyed my trip.

Cities near Piopio

Picturesque green hills landscape panorama

Te Kuiti

farm tours with Real New Zealand Adventures

Mahoenui

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