Opal Hot Springs & Holiday Park is a family holiday park at 257 Okauia Springs Road in Matamata, about 25 minutes from the Hobbiton Movie Set. The park has a 25-metre outdoor lane pool heated to 27 to 30 degrees, with a slide and jumping platform and a fenced shallow end for small children. A private outdoor mineral pool at 40 degrees sits by the river among native ferns and bamboo, and can be booked for a group of up to 30 or for two. There is also a private indoor mineral pool with constantly overflowing water. Accommodation includes self-contained motels, cabins with heaters and basic kitchen facilities, and powered sites for campervans, motorhomes and tents.
The website says the park is open seven days a week from 9am to 9pm, except Christmas Day. We hear the public pools will be closed from 2 to 16 November 2026 for a full repaint, while the accommodation, playground, shop, reception and private pools stay open, and private pool bookings are essential. The site is near Wairere Falls, which the website describes as the highest waterfall in the region. Our pick in Matamata for a hot pool stay with the kids.