hobbiton tour and lunch review

Is The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Really Worth It?

New Zealand is known as the Mecca for Lord of the Rings fans. Throughout the country you can find filming locations and all kinds of tours. One of the most popular spots is Mount Doom, which you can climb while  hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing . Another one, that’s accessible for LOTR fans of all ages and fitness levels, is the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour.

The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour is pretty expensive though. Is it really worth a visit? Keep reading to find out.

The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour in Short

• What? fully guided walking tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set
• How long? 2 hours
• How much? NZ$89 (~ US$56 ~ €50) per person
• Bring? camera and dress to weather
• How to get there? click here for more info
• Where to buy ticket? click here to check availability and buy your ticket

The Hobbiton Movie Set

The Hobbiton Movie Set is what you see as The Shire in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. The Shire, with its lush green rolling hills and the town of Hobbiton is in reality part of the Alexander Farm. It was scouted in an aerial search in 1998 and by the end of 1999 Hobbiton was built.

The  Hobbiton Movie Set is located in Matamata, well north of Lake Taupo, on the north island of New Zealand.

The town of Hobbiton

Hobbiton counts no less than 44 hobbit holes : 39 were built for the Lord of the Rings movies and 5 more were added for The Hobbit movies. Some of the houses are themed, corresponding with the job of the hobbit living there: a florist, a cheesemaker, a baker, you name it!

The hobbit holes are just fronts though, there’s nothing inside. We’re just managing your expectations here, because we were pretty disappointed when finding this out. Apparently the filming inside the houses was done at a studio in Wellington. The gardens have real vegetables though, which they use in their café.

There is one hobbit hole that’s decorated on the inside (or for 3 meters at least): Bag End , Bilbo Baggins’ home. This was done for just one shot made from the inside of the house with an overview over The Shire. The things they did for a couple of seconds of screen time, unbelievable!

The fake tree above Bag End is another example of the great lengths they’ve gone through to add detail and make everything seem as real as possible. Your guide will gladly tell you all about it.

The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

You can only visit the Hobbiton Movie Set on a fully guided walking tour , there’s no way to wander around on your own.

The tour itself is always the same, but there are departures organised from different locations (more info in the practical info section ). You can also opt to include a lunch or dinner in your Hobbiton tour, but we’ll elaborate on that in the ticket prices section .

All included, from departure at The Shire's Rest to returning there, the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour took about 2 hours . A 10 minute bus ride takes you and your fellow tour group members to Hobbiton. The driver will tell you about the discovery of the site, life on the set, and the Alexander Farm that’s been there since before the film fame.

It was a grey and rainy day when we were visiting. That didn’t temper the enthusiasm of our young guide though. She took us on a walking tour through Hobbiton, while passionately explaining us all about the 44 hobbit holes, the Party Tree and everything there’s to know about the Hobbiton Movie Set.

That includes  interesting facts and trivia about the techniques used and the astonishing amount of precision and detail Sir Peter Jackson (the director of the movies) demanded. A little sunshine would have made the experience even better, and the colours of the hobbit houses pop even more, but it was still awesome.

We ended our Hobbiton Movie Set Tour at The Green Dragon Inn with a complementary handcrafted ale. It was a pretty big cup and we only had about 10 minutes in there to finish it, so this last part felt a bit rushed.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour – practical info

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours depart from The Shire's Rest daily from 9:00 until 15:30 and take about 2 hours . In high season, from September to March, there are possibly additional tours available.

Another tour departure spot is the Matamata i-SITE , the town’s visitor information centre. Tours depart here daily at 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, and 15:30 , and take about 3 hours . An additional tour might depart at 17:00 on certain days between December 1 and February 28.

We provide more information on how to get to these departure spots in another section below .

Note that the guided walking tour through Hobbiton is outdoors , so dress accordingly . The tours won’t be cancelled due to rain, instead you can make use of the wide umbrellas that are available for free.

TIP: Hobbiton is one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of New Zealand, so best buy your tickets online beforehand to avoid disappointments!

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour – ticket prices

The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour cost us NZ$79 (~ US$50 ~ €45) per person, which was the entrance fee for an adult, with guided tour, without transfer back in 2016. Now, the ticket price is NZ$89 (~ US$57 ~ €53) . This applies for departures at The Shire's Rest and Matamata i-SITE . Click here to check out availability and buy your Hobbiton tour tickets.

If you want to book the Hobbiton Tour and lunch combo , it will cost you NZ$125 (~ US$80 ~ €74) per person. Lunch will be served buffet style at the Party Marquee, adjacent to The Green Dragon Inn, where you can sit at shared tables with your tour group. There are 3 tour departure times a day for this option. Click here to check out availability and buy your Hobbiton tour and lunch combo tickets.

Probably the coolest, but also the most expensive, Hobbiton experience is the Hobbiton Evening Banquet Tour . You’ll get the same guided walking tour as any other visitor, but after the banquet feast in the The Green Dragon dining room, you’ll walk through a lit up Hobbiton in the moonlight! Ticket prices for this are NZ$199 (~ US$127 ~ €118) per person and only available on 4 days a week. Click here to check out availability and buy your Hobbiton Evening Banquet Tour tickets.

After we’ve visited, a new tour was added: the Hobbiton Second Breakfast Tour . After the guided walking tour, you’ll be served a royal second (because you probably already had one before the tour) breakfast at The Millhouse, the newest Hobbiton venue. A ticket for this tour costs NZ$149 (~ US$95 ~ €88) per person. Click here to check out availability and buy your Hobbiton Second Breakfast Tour tickets.

There are a bunch of special occasions as well, when special prices apply, but you’ll also get a special experience of course. You can celebrate the Hobbiton Summer Harvest Festival in February, the Hobbiton Mid-Winter Feast in July, International Hobbit Day in September, the Hobbiton Beer Festival in November, and a Hobbiton Christmas in December.

NEW! Starting on 1 December 2023 you can peek behind a Hobbit Hole door! Obviously, prices will go up at that time.

We bought our Hobbiton tour tickets upon arrival at The Shire's Rest , just like a bunch of others. But we were visiting in low season. Make sure you book your tickets well beforehand when visiting during high season, which is from September to March.

If you need a transfer included in your Hobbiton tour ticket, check out the section on how to get to the Hobbiton Movie Set .

TIP: Check out Bookme New Zealand for any last-minute deals on Hobbiton tour tickets. Just enter “Hobbiton” in the search bar.

How to get to the Hobbiton Movie Set

As mentioned before, the  Hobbiton Movie Set is located in Matamata, Waikato. You can book tours starting from basically every city in the neighbourhood: Auckland, Rotorua, Tauranga, and Matamata obviously.

However, we just booked the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour without a transfer . We were road tripping New Zealand in our rented Spaceships Campervan , so drove to Matamata in our own time. There’s a rather big car park at The Shire's Rest , which houses the ticketing centre, a gift shop, and a café.

For us, Hobbiton was a stop between our stay in Rotorua and Waitomo . The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are another crazy popular tourist attraction that tours often combine with a visit to Hobbiton. If you’ve had enough of the crowds after The Shire though, we recommend heading to the Waipu Caves for a free glowworm alternative to the Waitomo Caves .

How to get to Hobbiton from Matamata

If you’re staying in Matamata, the town where the Hobbiton Movie Set is located, you can book a tour including a transfer from the Matamata i-SITE , the local visitor information centre. Ticket prices are the same as if you’d leave from The Shire's Rest , but the tour (including transport) will take about 3 hours in this case. Click here to check out availability and book your Hobbiton Movie Set tour ticket from Matamata.

How to get to Hobbiton from Auckland

Auckland is located about 180 km (~ 112 miles) northwest of Hobbiton , a drive that’ll take over 2 hours. There are several companies offering tours that include a transfer from Auckland to Hobbiton and back, like these:

A Hobbiton tour from Auckland takes at least 8 hours , as the drive alone takes over 2 hours one way. These tours usually depart early, around 7:00. Prices vary, depending if lunch is included or not. Note that if lunch is at The Shire’s Rest Café, that’s not the tour and lunch combo mentioned above. This café is not on the Hobbiton Movie Set itself, rather at the edge of it.

While you’re in the neighbourhood, you might want to check out some other tourist attractions as well, like the Waitomo Glowworm Caves , or the geothermal city of Rotorua . You can find several day tours or 2-day tours combining these with a Hobbiton Movie Set Tour:

How to get to Hobbiton from Rotorua

Rotorua , known for its geothermal activity, is just 1 hour or 70 km (~ 44 miles) southeast of Hobbiton . Check availability for a Hobbiton Movie Set tour including a transfer from Rotorua and back:

Where to stay near Hobbiton?

If you’re planning on spending the night near Hobbiton, you can check these Hobbiton accommodation options . This is a good idea when you’re joining the Hobbiton Evening Banquet tour for example, or want to explore Matamata as well.

Is the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour worth it?

For us, the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour was definitely worth our money! We’re not Lord of the Rings geeks, just fans at best. OK, honestly, I’d only seen the movies a couple of days before our visit, under slight pressure from Brecht. It isn’t obligatory to have seen them, but it adds to your experience in our opinion. At least you’ll know what you’re looking at and posing with.

It was an interesting tour, and we loved to hear about the neat tricks and tremendous effort put into the filming of the movie. It wasn’t really busy during our visit (a rainy day in the off season), but I can image it’s hard to look past the hordes of tourists and really enjoy Hobbiton in high season. Anyway, if we had to do it all over, the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour would still be on our New Zealand bucket list!

Have you visited Hobbiton? Do you agree it was worth the money you paid for it? We’re looking forward to reading all about your experience in the comments!

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16 thoughts on Is The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Really Worth It?

My fiance and I are going to honeymoon in New Zealand next year just for the sole purpose of visiting hobbiton!! This makes me even more excited! 🙂

Haha, that’s awesome, Bri! And congratulations on the wedding. 😉 Hope the sun will be out on your visit, the colours will pop even more! We have a lot more posts on New Zealand if you’re interested. How long are you going for? And will you be campervanning?

Ahh I’m a huge LOTR fan so I’m happy to hear that it’s worth visiting. Thank you for the insightful post!

You’re welcome, Kim. Looking forward to reading about your experience when you make it there one day!

Yes, totally worth it! Hobbiton was our “splurge” in NZ. I am a LOTR fan and Tim a The Hobbit fan so it suited us both. It’s wonderful learning about the little things that were done in order to make the movie loved by millions. So much hard work but it all paid off. Glad that they decided to rebuild Hobbiton for fans to visit. Glad you enjoyed it too!

Haha, glad to read you agree Hobbiton is worth a visit, Pam! We love to learn about the little fun facts that were behind making a movie great too. So interesting!

It is expensive but it’s the only way to see the set and I think well worth it. We also got a free drink at the end which was pretty cool! I went in the middle of summer and was somewhat astounded by the dried off paddocks in Matamata in contrast to the constantly watered, green grasses of the shire!

Haha, yup, we’re paying for all that water, Sarah! 😉 Would have loved to see the set in sunlight instead of beneath a cloudy and rainy sky. You were more lucky! Or planned better. 😉

My dad is obsessed with LOTR and I’ve watched the movies with him numerous times as a child – I didn’t realised it’s a tour and not like a theme park. Thanks for the practical information 😀

You’re welcome, Nam! You should definitely take your dad to New Zealand one day. There’s a bunch of spots that were featured in the LOTR or Hobbit movies. 😉 Like Mount Doom, which you can see from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing . Pretty impressive!

Try Sweden’s first hobbit hotel next time, and stay in a replica of the Frodo and Bilbo Baggins-house – super cool! http://blog.wearenodes.com/grand-tour-of-swedens-first-hobbit-hotel/

Haha, that’s sounds awesome indeed, Yasmin! 😄 Noted for when we ever make it to Sweden. 😉

Do you know which film the Hobbiton set is seen mostly in? I, like you, have purchased the movie to see just before I visit. and what I thought was the trilogy… is just a super extreme edition of one of the films! Doh! But I would like to see it in the movie and then in real life too…

I’m not sure which movie Hobbiton is featured mostly in, but I’d recommend starting with the first movie: “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”. It has a few famous scenes in Hobbiton!

Hobbiton is such a unique place! Highly recommended!

We totally agree!

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UponArriving

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Review (Ultimate Guide)

I have seen some pretty cool movie set tours like the Harry Potter Warner Bros. studio tour in London and the Hobbiton Movie Set tour ranks up there with the best. In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. I will cover things like ticket prices and tours and also give you a detailed review of what the experience is like.

Table of Contents

What is the Hobbiton Movie Set?

The Hobbiton Movie Set is a hilly farmland in Waikato, New Zealand where scenes featuring “Hobbiton” of the Shire were filmed for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and The Hobbit film series. The site now offers several different tours and experiences that allow fans to enjoy the movie set in memorable ways, such as guided tours and festive banquets.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Booking the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Below I will go into the details for all of the prices for the different tours .

One thing I will say right off the bat is that you need to book your tickets as soon as possible because the spots will fill up very quickly. This is especially true if you want to do one of the special tours that involve a lunch or banquet. This is not an attraction that you want to wait until the last minute to book!

There are four main different tours that you can choose from. Note that the prices will be increasing for all of the tours as of April 2020.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

This is the main tour that most people will do. It takes you through the major sites like the Hobbit Holes and Green Dragon Inn and takes about two hours (I’ll go into detail on this tour below). 

You can choose to be picked up from three different locations:

• The Shire’s Rest (the tour’s main location)
• Matamata i-SITE
• The Hobbiton™ Movie Set Shop, 1235 Fenton St, Rotorua (more expensive)

The tours from The Shire’s Rest depart every 10 minutes so there are many of these tours every single day. When you go to book a tour you will have a selection of different time slots to choose from and you should see if there are limited spaces for certain slots.

Here are the prices for the tour: 

(All prices below are in New Zealand dollars. For your reference, you can click on a price below and see the US dollar equivalent. 84 New Zealand dollars is ~$55 USD as of 12/19.)

• Adult (17 years and over): $84.00 , $89.00 from 1 April 2020
• Youth (9-16 years): $42.00 , $44.00 from 1 April 2020 
• Child (0-8 years): Children are FREE but must have ticket allocated prior to arrival and be accompanied by a full paying adult.
• Tours depart daily from 9am until 3.30pm.

If you are going to be late for your tour I suggest that you contact them immediately. They will work with you to try to get you into the soonest tour but keep in mind that if other tours are all sold out they might not be able to get you in that day.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour + Lunch

This is the tour that I wish I would have done. If you want to make your tour experience a little bit more memorable without paying a whole lot of extra money, I think this tour option is perfect. There are only three timeslots though and these tours need to be booked very far in advance to secure your preferred time slot.

Here are the prices:

• Adult (17 years and over): $120.00 , $125.00 from 1 April 2020
• Youth (9-16 years): $78.00 , $80.00 from 1 April 2020 
• 10.05am departure begins with tour followed by lunch at 11.35am
• 12.05pm departure begins with tour followed by lunch at 1.35pm
• 1.25pm departure begins with lunch followed by tour at 2.25pm

Hobbiton Movie Set Evening Banquet Tours

The Hobbiton Movie Set Evening Banquet Tour is probably the coolest way to explore the Shire because it is a tour that takes place at dusk. Also, you get to enjoy the banquet at the Green Dragon which is a unique experience.

I think I would enjoy this tour but there is something special about visiting the Shire during the daytime when the sun is out shining brightly and this tour may not offer you that same type of experience.  

• Adult (17 years and over): $195.00 , $199.00 from 1 April 2020
• Youth (9-16 years): $152.50 , $162.00 from 1 April 2020 
• Child (5-8 years): $100 , $104.00 from 1 April 2020. Children must be accompanied by a full paying adult- Must also have a ticket allocated. 
• Infant (0-4 years):  Infants must be accompanied by a full paying adult- Must also have a ticket allocated.

Private Tour

The private tour is very expensive but it is probably the best option for the diehard fans and I will explain why below.

• Private tour (up to 4 people): $750.00
• Additional Adult (17yrs+): $84.00
• Additional Youth (9-16yrs): $42.00
• Additional Child (0-8yrs): Free with full paying adult

Please note: From 1 April 2020 Private Tour departures will be $1,000.00 for maximum six adults or equivalent.

Tour packages

Because the movie set tour is a couple of hours away from Auckland, New Zealand and semi-close to other attractions, a lot of people like to package together tours and spend an entire day hitting up multiple spots.

This can be an efficient use of both time and money so it is definitely something to consider. One of the popular tourist packages you can do is what is known as the trilogy and it offers the following tours:

• 45 minute Tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Waitomo
• 2 hour tour of Ruakuri Cave, Waitomo
• 2 hour Tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata
• 4.5 hours exclusive guided tour of Te Puia; Maori welcome ceremony and cultural performance & Māori Feast (traditional indigenous dinner), Rotorua

The Trilogy Package Prices

• Family $924 (2 adults and 2 children; extra child add $171)

Don’t forget — watch the movies!

Once you book your tickets, I recommend that you re-watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy and also the Hobbit movies so that everything is fresh on your mind. And obviously if you have not seen the movies, you need to get on that ASAP!

Getting to the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Here is the address of the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour:

501 Buckland Road, Matamata 3472, New Zealand

Below are the approximate time frames it will take you to get to the movie set from major destinations:

• Waitomo Glowworm Caves: 1 hour, 15 minutes
• Auckland, New Zealand: 2 hours
• Wellington, New Zealand: 6 hours

We stayed at the Hilton Auckland Hotel and so we were about a two hour drive away from the movie set, which we made in a rental car. 

The drive to the movie set from Auckland was very beautiful!

You will pass through many rolling green hills and beautiful farm landscapes. It reminded me a lot of driving through California when all of the hills are nice and green and full life.

Your GPS will probably take you right to the location but you will also notice several signs pointing you in the right direction as you approach the movie set. If you don’t want to drive there, you can look into getting transferred there.

Also, there are farm stays in the local area so you could stay in something like a B&B for a night and enjoy a nice complimentary dinner and breakfast. 

Arriving at the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

There are pretty large parking lots at the Hobbiton Movie Set so you shouldn’t have an issue finding a parking spot when you arrive. 

The first thing that you need to do when you arrive is to snap a photo of you underneath the Hobbiton Movie Set sign. It is a picture perfect sign and there is a little walkway that will take you right to the sign. 

The Shire’s Rest

When you arrive, you will need to check in to receive your tickets if you booked online and you will want to head to The Shire’s Rest to do this. Simply follow the signs to the Shires Rest Ticketing Centre where you can get that done. When we arrived, there was only a short line to deal with. Keep in mind that they request you to check in 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time.

If you have arrived early then you might want to spend some time at the nearby Shire’s Rest Cafe or Garden Bar. The Garden Bar offers a nice shady spot to grab a bite and craft beer before or after your tour and it’s perfect for summer days.

You can also order ice cream and milkshakes or thick shakes for around five to seven New Zealand dollars from the ice cream shop. If you really have a sweet tooth consider going with the Hobbit Crunch which is a fancy sundae that you will surely enjoy.

You can also explore the gift shop . However, a lot of visitors like to save the gift shop until the end of the tour so you might want to go that route. I will talk more about the gift shop below.

Getting ready for your tour

As the time approaches for your tour, you will want to line up where the sign indicates your tour will be taking off. I would suggest lining up about five minutes before your scheduled tour time.

Depending on the type of tour that you booked, you might be getting transported via a bus or a van. In our case, we did the bus tour.

After lining up we boarded the bus and found our seats which were in a 2-2 lay out.

Once we got going, they played some special footage related to the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies and also provided us with some insightful content about the production of the movies, the 12-acres that was used for Hobbiton, and some other really cool and interesting facts.

I don’t want to give everything away but you will find out some little tidbits about the movie that you probably did not already know.

The drive through the Alexander family sheep farm over to the movie set is also an extremely scenic drive. You will wind through some beautiful rolling green pasture land dotted with sheep living a good life. 

The bus ride from the arrival area to the actual movie set took a total of 15 minutes. 

Once everybody exits the bus you will meet up at the first sign and they will go over some of the information that you need to know about the tour. Basically they just told us to stay together and to not venture into any of the areas without permission.

The way that the tour works is that you will travel as a group and your group will stop at several different Hobbit Holes throughout Hobbiton. At each stop, you will be able to check out the areas and get photos while learning some cool facts about each little site.

The biggest drawback to this tour is that they move along too efficiently.

Basically if you are in the back of the line you will feel rushed from the group behind you coming up.

It’s a very awkward experience when you are trying to get a photo and you have 30 tourists glaring at you as they impatiently wait for you to leave so that their tour guide can start showing them the site.

Therefore, if you are a true Lord of the Rings fan and you want to savor this experience, you probably want to consider a private tour. Yes, they will be much more expensive but you will be able to enjoy the sights without any pressure from the crowds.

Spoiler alert

If you don’t already know, you will find out that these little Hobbit Holes are not actually real little houses with rooms and lively corridors to explore. Some of them open up to a small area that is similar to a closet but most are just facades.

But still, it can be really fun to explore the exterior of the Hobbit Holes and the entire community.

One thing that fascinated me about the different Hobbit Holes was all of the details. Everything from the windows to the doorhandles are extremely intricate and it is really fun to explore them from up close. It really feels as if little hobbits are living inside behind those doors.

It’s really cool to see some of the sights like the detailed clothes drying out on the clothes lines.

Also the landscaping with all of the colorful flowers is pretty immaculate and a sight to see. When we visited in February, there were tons of butterflies fluttering around and it was a very magical experience.

Your tour guide will point out the residences of the most notable hobbits.

One of the coolest things to see are all of the live plants and produce that they produce on site. 

You can even find batches of raw honey.

I also appreciated the attention to detail in things like the “street signs.”

Each time you stop at a little Hobbit Hole you should have enough time to get some photos and to pose in front of them. Like I mentioned though, this is much easier to do if you are at the front of the group because you will not feel as much pressure to move along quickly.

Your tour should stop at at least one Hobbit Hole that they will allow you to step inside of and get some photos. And when I say step inside of, that literally means just taking like one step inside of the Hobbit Hole. 

Make sure you are listening to your tour guide because during our tour some of the tourists entered in one of the Hobbit Holes that was NOT meant to be entered in. This caused a little bit of commotion so just be mindful of this.

The tour will wind up and down the hillsides as you hit up the different sites. The walking required is not overly strenuous, but I would definitely bring some walking friendly shoes. 

The pathways are not wheelchair friendly but there are options for those who can’t complete all the walking.

Also, you are permitted to bring strollers on the tour but many of the pathways are cobblestone or bumpy and they also can be quite narrow so bringing a stroller can be a task.

Green Dragon Inn

Eventually you will wind up at the tavern at the end of the tour, known as the Green Dragon Inn .

According to the official Hobbiton website, “The Green Dragon Inn was the meeting place for all residents of Hobbiton, who would gather in the warm surroundings of the bar to chatter about the day’s events.” 

The Green Dragon Inn is a really cool spot where you can enjoy some grub or even some drinks from the Hobbit Southfarthing range , which I believe is brewed right on location.

Here are some drinks that you might be interested in trying:

• Girdley Fine Grain, Amber Ale
• Sackville Cider, Apple Cider
• Oatbarton Brew, Traditional English Ale
• Frogmorton Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic)

Once you find yourself a drink, head over to the fireplace and relax in a nice comfy seat.

If you have also booked a lunch tour then this is where you will depart from the other group to enjoy the lunch buffet served in the Party Marquee. The Party Marquee is adjacent to The Green Dragon Inn, with the garden bar seating overlooking the Hobbiton Movie Set.

In our case, we only did the standard movie set tour so we then headed back to the gift shop. The entire tour lasted about two hours.

The gift shop

There are a lot of interesting items to purchase at the gift shop. You will find all sorts of different collectibles, books, and some decoration items like the maps of Middle Earth which I thought were pretty awesome.

For something like a map you would be paying about NZ$35.

They also had some awesome figurines of different characters and those were more expensive — usually ranging around NZ$100-NZ$300.

Some of the items cannot be purchased at the store but they are on display and available at websites that will be shown on the display.

They also had a lot of standard gift shop items like candies and various types of sweets. You could also venture into the café and purchase sandwiches for around $6.50 and beverages like iced coffee or milk for around 3 to NZ$5.

If you wanted something more substantial you could order a meal like eggs Benedict for $16.50, second breakfast for $19.50, or a Lamb burger for around $18.

There are several picnic tables for you to enjoy your meal outside and on a nice day it can be an extremely pleasant experience.

But there are also tables located indoors just in case the weather does not cooperate.

Lord of the Rings tours

If you are a fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy there are other tours that you can do that will take you to various destinations and locations used in the films. Some of these tours can be up to two weeks in length so you can live your fandom for days on end!

Here are some companies to look at:

• Red Carpet Tours
• Weta Studio Tours
• Hairy Feet- Waitomo
• Tongariro Crossing- Adrift Guided Adventures
• Adventure Safari Ltd- Wellington
• Hassle Free Tours- Christchurch

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Review (Ultimate Guide) FAQ

No, the tours are all guided and require visitors to be supervised. This is probably in the best interest of everyone.

Drones are not allowed during the normal tour hours. You can contact the site owners to inquire about after our drone usage but there is no guarantee they will allow it.

Yes, they will continue with tours in the rain. They will supply you with umbrellas but this is one reason why you want to bring quality closed toed shoes with you on this trip (or a poncho ).

You will likely only be allowed to step inside of one Hobbit Hole. And keep in mind there will only be a small closet-like area behind the door.

The standard movie set tour is approximately two hours and about 30 minutes of that is travel time to and from the movie set.

Yes, you can take as many photos as you would like just make sure they are not for commercial use. I brought out my professional DSLR camera and had no issues with photos.

You don’t need to bring anything special with you on this tour. But you would probably be good with a small backpack where you can hold things like sunscreen, a jacket if you don’t need to be wearing it, water bottles, etc. As mentioned above, I would consider a rain poncho if I were visiting when rain was expected.

Overall, the movie set tour is a must see destination for any fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy or the Hobbit movies. You will no doubt be floored by the amount of details in the Hobbit Holes and surrounding areas. But while I loved the tour I do think that a private tour would be much more enjoyable for a diehard fan even with the price tag of $1,000. 

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

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An Honest Review of Hobbiton Movie Set Tour in Matamata, New Zealand

• June 9, 2023 July 24, 2023

Is the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Worth the Money? How Much Does the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Cost and What’s Included? Can You Visit Hobbiton Without Paying for a Guided Tour? What Do You Get to See on the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour? Can You Go Inside the Hobbit Holes at Hobbiton? Where Is Hobbiton Movie Set and How Do You Get There? Do You Need to Book Hobbiton Movie Set Tour in Advance? Can You Stay Overnight at Hobbiton Movie Set? What Do You Need to Bring With You for the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour? Does Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Have Good Reviews? Can You Visit Hobbiton Movie Set Alone?

Find any New Zealand travel guide on the internet and I can pretty much guarantee it will recommend the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour .

Featuring heavily in The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit trilogies, the 12-acre set was the chosen filming location for the fictional village of Hobbiton in the Shire, home to the Hobbits.

Each year, around 650,000 visitors flock to the movie set , keen to experience the magic of Sir Peter Jackson’s movies for themselves. But is the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour worth it?

Is the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Worth the Money?

At $56 US Dollars a ticket, we were initially unsure whether to go ahead with the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour booking.

However, after some consideration we realised that there were three reasons to go ahead and book the tour:

• We are huge fans of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
• This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to New Zealand and visiting Hobbiton was a bucket-list activity.
• The New Zealand tourism industry has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic so we felt that it was important to support the sector.

After completing our tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set , I can honestly say that the ticket price is so worth the money and that this was one of the most magical experiences we have had whilst travelling New Zealand.

First thing’s first, if you’re a fan of the films then you’ll be amazed by Hobbiton and the fact that it looks exactly like it does in the movies.

The lush green pastures and rolling hills you’ve seen at the cinema are even more magical in real life and the 44 hobbit holes are seriously impressive up close.

Every single detail has been thought through meticulously, from the hobbit clothes hanging on washing lines to the pots of honey for sale on doorsteps and the real vegetables growing in the veggie patch.

How Much Does the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Cost and What’s Included?

The price includes a guided tour of the 12-acre Hobbiton Movie Set by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide, as well as coach transport to/from the set from the carpark and ticket centre (The Shire’s Rest) . In addition to this, you’ll also receive a complimentary drink from The Green Dragon Inn at the end of the tour. In total, the tour lasts around two hours and the time will fly by because you’re having so much fun.

The entrance fee for Hobbiton Movie Set is $89 NZ dollars for adults, $44 for youths (9-16) and kids below the age of 8 go free (this seems fair to me as we had a few young kids on our tour and they had no idea what LOTR was) . I wasn’t able to find a promo code for Hobbiton tickets, but you can get a family pass discount if your group consists of 2x adult and 2x youths, which saves you $41 in total.

Can You Visit Hobbiton Without Paying for a Guided Tour?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to visit Hobbiton without a guided tour. The movie set is located in the middle of Alexander Farm, a huge 1250 acre working sheep & beef farm. You’ll be transported to the movie set by coach from The Shire’s Rest (departure point) and no other vehicles have access to the road because it’s private land.

What Do You Get to See on the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour?

From the car park and visitors centre you’ll be transported by coach through lush green fields to the Hobbiton Movie Set. The journey takes around fifteen minutes, during which your tour guide will tell you some interesting facts about the history of the set.

Your guide will also play a short video on the coach TV screens where director Peter Jackson will tell you all about the aerial search in 1998 and why they decided on Alexander Farm as the perfect location for Hobbiton.

During this journey you’ll be amazed by the beauty of the location and you really feel as though you’ve entered The Shire.

Once you arrive at the movie set, you’ll pass through a small picket fence and walk the stone-lined path from the iconic scene in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey when Bilbo runs out of Hobbiton village whilst shouting “I’m Going On An Adventure!” .

From here, you’ll explore several different Hobbit holes along with the veggie patch and the pond before heading up the big hill towards Bag End.

At Bag End, you’ll be able to see the legendary home of Bilbo Baggins, complete with the ‘no admittance except on party business’ sign on the garden gate and the iconic oak tree on top of the house. You’ll learn that the oak tree is actually fake and made of fibreglass! Even more impressive is that all of the 1000+ leaves are made of silk and were imported from Taiwan, before being individually hand-painted and attached to the branches.

Next, your tour guide will take you down to the ‘ party tree ‘, a huge pine tree overlooking the lake which was integral to J. R. R. Tolkien’s vision of Hobbiton and one of the main reasons why director Peter Jackson chose the site. You’ll be able to walk across the field where Bilbo celebrated his eleventy first birthday in the shadows of the tree with fellow Hobbits, who were actually the children and spouses of the film crew in real life.

After leaving the party field you’ll walk towards Samwise Gamgee’s house to admire the beautiful wildflowers in his garden and the real smoke coming from his chimney (fish is smoked here and sold in the The Green Dragon Inn).

From here, you’ll walk past the mill complete with a functioning water wheel and over the stone bridge which crosses the millpond to The Green Dragon Inn.

After all that walking you will have definitely worked up a thirst, so it’s time for a complimentary drink in the Inn by the roaring log fire.

The Inn offers a variety of exclusive Southfarthing Distillery ales and ciders which you can only purchase from Hobbiton and they’re truly delicious. We also got beef and ale pies for $6 each which were absolutely incredible.

On the coach back to the car park, you’ll watch a compilation of Lord of The Rings clips which showcase all of the significant locations across New Zealand that represent Middle Earth in the movies. Given that both the LOTR & Hobbit trilogies were filmed entirely in New Zealand, the footage will make you so excited about the rest of your trip around the country.

Can You Go Inside the Hobbit Holes at Hobbiton?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to go inside the Hobbit holes at Hobbiton. That’s simply because there is nothing inside them, just retaining walls and beyond that dirt.

Many visitors to Hobbiton think they’ll be able to go inside Bag End and see where Gandalf hits his head on Bilbo Baggins’ low ceiling, but the interior was actually filmed in a studio in Wellington.

Where Is Hobbiton Movie Set and How Do You Get There?

Hobbiton Movie Set is located in Matamata in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island. It’s approximately 160km south of Auckland and the drive takes just under two hours.

Most road-trippers visit Hobbiton on the way to Rotorua, a city famous for geothermal activity, bubbling mud and Maori culture which is about 70km away.

Do You Need to Book Hobbiton Movie Set Tour in Advance?

Hobbiton is New Zealand’s biggest tourist attraction, so it’s definitely a good idea to book your tickets in advance. You can book your tickets here .

Can You Stay Overnight at Hobbiton Movie Set?

Currently there are no facilities for an overnight stay at Hobbiton Movie Set. If you have a late-afternoon tour or you are lucky enough to experience one of the evening banquets at Hobbiton, definitely stay at the wonderful Hills Vista Lodge which is just 2.4 miles from the set. Other great accommodation options near Hobbiton are Peria Hills Cottage , Denchys B&B and Chalet Frodo .

What Do You Need to Bring With You for the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour?

The most important thing to bring with you to Hobbiton Movie Set is your camera. With 44 Hobbit holes to explore and not a power line or road in sight, there are ample photo opportunities and the guides are happy to take group and couples photos at various locations. *Top Tip: Morning is the best time of day to visit Hobbiton as the sun shines directly on the village.

You’ll also need to bring comfortable footwear as you’ll be walking up hills on dirt tracks and across fields. Hobbiton Movie Set Tours go ahead in sun, rain, snow and hail so it’s worth checking the weather forecast beforehand and bringing a raincoat if necessary, although the helpful guides do keep some spare rain ponchos in the Hobbit holes in case of emergencies.

Does Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Have Good Reviews?

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour has excellent reviews, with a score of 4.7 on Google with over 10,000 reviews and a score of 4.5 on Tripadvisor.

Can You Visit Hobbiton Movie Set Alone?

It’s definitely a great idea to visit Hobbiton Movie Set alone. In fact, you’re sure to find some other LOTR enthusiasts on your tour to buddy up with.

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Beautiful tour, great lunch - Hobbiton Movie Set

• South Pacific    
• New Zealand    
• North Island    
• Waikato Region    
• Hinuera    
• Hinuera - Things to Do    
• Hobbiton Movie Set

Beautiful tour, great lunch

We had a great day in Hobbiton. First off, the set is amazing, with more than 40 hobbit houses. The detail is amazing - each house has it's own unique character. Also, the upkeep is fantastic, with expertly-manicured lawns and gardens. Additionally, the tour takes you to the Green Dragon tavern, where you get a mug of Hobbit beer and then to lunch. Our buffet lunch was great, and included options for all tastes. This was a highlight in NZ, and I'd recommend it to anyone. It would seem touristy if it wasn't so beautifully done. They have a lot of visitors, so the tour guide does have to move you through at a quick clip. However, she will take photos for you.

We really wanted to see Hobbiton on our trip to NZ but was worried it would be super touristy. Well, it is super touristy and a bit pricey, but it was super cool! Loved walking through the shire and seeing all the little hobbit holes! Our guide was funny and told good stories about the filming. The drink at the Green Dragon was a nice touch. The only thing we would change is some more time to walk around and spend in Hobbiton, but otherwise definitely recommend to do!! We had a blast!

The most impressive thing to me about this tour is that they have not tried to Disneyfy the experience. There are no hobbits smoking pipes to be seen. It's a tour about the movie set and it's very well done. The scenery is perfect, with well-kept hobbit hole fronts and gardens in full bloom when we went (February) and the narrative by the tour guide was cogent and amusing. Many stories about the filming experiences. The inclusion of a beer (or cider, both alcoholic and non) at the Green Dragon Inn was a perfect conclusion to the tour. I understand that a future addition will be adding the interior of Bilbo's place. And that's about as far as they want or need to go to make this place perfect.

We were excitited to do the tour and it exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide was brillant and we loved the fascinating movie set.

If you have ever seen the movie, or heard of the movie, you will have a great time. See Hobbiton recreated in its original location. The site is well maintained and the staff, like Brock, is excellent. A must see.

We went with some of our tour group and had a wonderful visit. It is beautifully done in a gorgeous part of NZ. It makes you want to go home and watch all the movies again. The drink in the Green Dragon at the end of the tour was a very nice finishing touch.

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Beautiful tour, great lunch - Hobbiton Movie Set

• South Pacific    
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• Hobbiton Movie Set

Beautiful tour, great lunch

We had a great day in Hobbiton. First off, the set is amazing, with more than 40 hobbit houses. The detail is amazing - each house has it's own unique character. Also, the upkeep is fantastic, with expertly-manicured lawns and gardens. Additionally, the tour takes you to the Green Dragon tavern, where you get a mug of Hobbit beer and then to lunch. Our buffet lunch was great, and included options for all tastes. This was a highlight in NZ, and I'd recommend it to anyone. It would seem touristy if it wasn't so beautifully done. They have a lot of visitors, so the tour guide does have to move you through at a quick clip. However, she will take photos for you.

We really wanted to see Hobbiton on our trip to NZ but was worried it would be super touristy. Well, it is super touristy and a bit pricey, but it was super cool! Loved walking through the shire and seeing all the little hobbit holes! Our guide was funny and told good stories about the filming. The drink at the Green Dragon was a nice touch. The only thing we would change is some more time to walk around and spend in Hobbiton, but otherwise definitely recommend to do!! We had a blast!

The most impressive thing to me about this tour is that they have not tried to Disneyfy the experience. There are no hobbits smoking pipes to be seen. It's a tour about the movie set and it's very well done. The scenery is perfect, with well-kept hobbit hole fronts and gardens in full bloom when we went (February) and the narrative by the tour guide was cogent and amusing. Many stories about the filming experiences. The inclusion of a beer (or cider, both alcoholic and non) at the Green Dragon Inn was a perfect conclusion to the tour. I understand that a future addition will be adding the interior of Bilbo's place. And that's about as far as they want or need to go to make this place perfect.

We were excitited to do the tour and it exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide was brillant and we loved the fascinating movie set.

If you have ever seen the movie, or heard of the movie, you will have a great time. See Hobbiton recreated in its original location. The site is well maintained and the staff, like Brock, is excellent. A must see.

We went with some of our tour group and had a wonderful visit. It is beautifully done in a gorgeous part of NZ. It makes you want to go home and watch all the movies again. The drink in the Green Dragon at the end of the tour was a very nice finishing touch.

Hobbiton Movie Set is open 7 days. Availability is very limited. Bookings essential.

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• Departing from Tour from The Shire's Rest™ From Matamata I-Site
• Departing from Hobbiton™ Beer Festival - Saturday Hobbiton™ Beer Festival - Friday

• Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tour + Meal Combo

Experience the magic of Hobbiton™ Movie Set with one of our daily shared tour departures from The Shire's Rest followed by a delicious buffet lunch served inside the festive Party Marquee.

Join us and experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies.

Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey on a short bus ride through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will then escort you on a shared walking tour around the movie set, showing the intricate details, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how movie magic was made here.

Journey past the colourful Hobbit Hole™ doors that scatter the hillsides, including the iconic Bag End, home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, before arriving at Bagshot Row ™ for a glimpse of the interior of a humble Hobbit’s home.

Designed and crafted by the renowned creative teams behind the film trilogies, Bagshot Row offers an authentic glimpse into the charming dwellings of Hobbits going about daily life in the Shire. Your guide will lead you through one of two Hobbit Holes offering time to explore the detailed interiors, with each home designed to create an identical experience.    

Continue along the pathways past The Millhouse, across the double-arch stone bridge and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn , where you will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive beverage from our Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range before following your guide up to the Party Marquee.

The Party Marquee is adjacent to The Green Dragon™ Inn with an exquisite view across the water. The painted canvas exterior, vibrant bunting and colourful lanterns means visitors are immersed in the festive magic of the movies. Your meal is served buffet style from a specially themed table, bursting with hobbit fare, with shared table seating to dine family style with your group to conclude your Middle-earth adventure.

Please note: pre-booking your tour is essential. Our tours can sell-out well in advance so please pre-book to avoid disappointment. 

Tour + Meal options are only available in conjunction with selected Shire's Rest departures. 

Please be aware this experience involves a shared dining experience inside the Party Marquee. You will be seated at a banquet table with others from your tour departure and the meal is self-service from the buffet. 

The Shire's Rest ™, 501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera, Matamata . 

• 10.10am departure begins with tour followed by lunch at 12.10pm
• 11.10am departure begins with tour followed by lunch at 1.10pm
• 11.40pm departure begins with tour followed by lunch at 1.40pm

Tour & Lunch combo:  3 hours approximately including transport to and from The Shire's Rest.

NEW! Venture Beyond the Door All tours now include exploring the interior of a Hobbit Hole on Bagshot Row. Learn more about Bagshot Row here .

Please report to The Shire's Rest ticketing centre no later than 20 minutes before your tour is due to depart. This is a fully guided walking tour and sensible footwear is recommended. 

Please ensure your booking includes a ticket for everyone in your group even children 0-10 years. All guests must have ticket allocated prior to arrival to ensure we can accommodate your group.

All prices are in New Zealand Dollars.

Marquee Festive Feast

Tour + lunch combo, served buffet style.

• Slow roasted beef rump DF/GF
• Marinated chicken DF/GF
• Minted lamb casserole DF/GF
• Battered fish with a tartare sauce
• Creamy Pesto Pasta
• Tomato and coconut vegetable curry DF/GF/VGN
• Chefs choice of seasonal vegetables DF/GF/VGN
• Herb roasted gourmet potatoes DF/GF/V
• Bulgur wheat salad DF
• Garden fresh green salad DF/GF/VGN
• Hobbit Slaw DF/GF/VGN
• Steamed rice DF/GF/VGN
• A selection from the Green Dragon dessert kitchen including sweet slices and cakes
• Seasonal fruit salad DF/GF/VGN
• Baked apple crumble DF/GF/VGN
• Special dietary requirements can be catered for, please include details at time of booking. Please note, while we offer Gluten Free menu options, we are not a gluten free kitchen. Cross-contamination could occur and we are unable to guarantee that any item can be completely free of allergens.
• This menu is indicative only. Some menu items may vary based on the season and availability.

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The Shire's Rest: 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera

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Tour with buffet lunch - Hobbiton Movie Set

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Tour with buffet lunch

The walking tour of the set was impressive. The detail employed in each hobbit hole made each unique and I really appreciated this as I walked through. It was great to wander through. I was less impressed with the ten minute gap between tours which made taking photos difficult and, at times, impossible. The guide was rushed and I missed much of the commentary as I scurried to keep up. The pot at the Green Dragon was a nice touch but again it felt rushed as, to drink the beer there, would have essentially required scoffing it down - which isn’t the way to enjoy a drink. I ended up carrying it to the buffet tent where we were told we had half an hour to eat. It made me thankful that it was the off-season as there mightn’t have been enough time to queue and eat. There was barely enough time to eat. Again, a pity as the food was nice and I would have enjoyed a little more time to eat and chat with my fellow “travellers”. I really enjoyed walking through the set but a little more space between tours and more time to eat would have made it so much better.

We stayed in Rotorua that night and drove to the site (car park). Picked up the tour bus for the lunch and tour combo. Was great - despite the horrid weather. Weather so bad we had to take shelter in Hobbit house - how many can say they have done that!!!! Our tour guide made the whole experience a blast. A must do

The place itself is magical and shouldn't be missed. The actual move set of The Hobbit and if you've ever wanted to imerse yourself in Hobbit lore, this is the closest you can come for a reasonable price. I highly recommend it.

Our enthusiastic tour guide, Matt, provided a fun tour through the Hobbiton village. While I was afraid that it may be a tourist "trap", it was a great way to spend an afternoon. Well organized with buses that take you to the village, any fan of the Peter Jackson movies will be enthralled by the attention to detail in this walk through the land of Bilbo and Frodo!

Even if you are not a lord of the rings fan- Hobbiton is a must. Just a classic couple of hours, strolling through a movie set, from such a famous movie trilogy. The guides are great. ***Book early as you can. **We didn’t realise how booked the place gets and were so lucky to snag a booking , in one of the very last tours of the day. So as soon as you know you are visiting the area -book your Hobbiton your. A tour is the only way Hobbiton is accessible- once you get there, you understand why people cannot just go on their own. Amazing place well done to all involved -bringing this to the people, to enjoy🙏

We travelled NZ for one week and this experience was one of the top three unforgettable memories! The travel from Auckland was a beautiful scenic drive and worth every penny to spend the afternoon in one of the most famous movie sets.

Hobbiton Tour and Lunch Combo: Blog

Above: The entrance to Hobbiton, where Frodo meets Gandalf in the first film.

The Hobbiton movie set tour is the Mecca for all Middle Earth lovers. As a Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit fan journeying to this place is somewhat of a pilgrimage. The amount of effort the staff put into making their guests feel immersed in Tolkien’s fantasy is unparalleled. 

The tour starts from the Shire’s Rest which is a cafe and gift shop with ample parking behind. After collecting my ticket from the ticket office I boarded the bus that then set out across the road and through rolling green fields before arriving at the movie set.

Once the group had disembarked the bus it wasn’t long before we encountered the location of an iconic scene. The entrance to Hobbiton is through a narrow road between two grassy hills bordered by stone walls. This was where Frodo first meeting with Gandalf takes place in the Fellowship of the Ring.

As I passed through the sheltered gap I was immediately met with a panoramic view of the whole village. I could see everything from the Green Dragon to Bag End right from the get go. 

Below: The view upon entering Hobbiton.

Each hobbit hole was incredibly well presented. All ranging in size for scaling purposes during filming. Every hobbit hole had its function, fishmonger, blacksmith, florist, beekeeper and this was all discernible just from looking at the detailed props adorning the front porches. 

As the tour progressed through the village the guide stopped to give us more information on the most notable holes. Passing the frog pond (which was actually populated by ducks) and up past Sackville we started the short climb up the hill towards Bag End. There was a scent of burning wood in the air and the guide then pointed out that the smoke from the chimneys was being created by burning wood chips! They really do go the extra mile to make you feel totally immersed. 

At the top of the hill sat Bag End, the holy grail of Hobbiton. This was exactly how I had seen it in the films and I couldn’t believe I was seeing it with my own eyes. Naturally this was the most popular photo spot and well, I had to get proof I was there.

Above Left: Selfie of me outside Bag End. Above Right: The front gate and front door of Bag End.

After the photoshoot we made our way back down the hill towards Sackville before taking a short break in the Party Field. It was here that the guide explained what was to come of the construction that was ongoing at the time of our visit. With the help of some billboards it was demonstrated to us what the new hobbit holes would look like and we were also told that it was Samwise Gamgee’s home. Once completed this hobbit hole would be the only fully furnished home that guests could enter (a good reason for a return trip!). 

After admiring the future plans of Hobbiton and the great Party Tree (Californian Pine) at the bottom of the Party Field, the group made its way around the water to a party venue. As we were visiting on international hobbit day, that evening there was a special banquet party to be held by the lakeside. There were tents with various produce and goods displayed as well as a cake with 111 candles on it.

Above: Bilbo’s cake with 111 candles.

Beyond the tents for the banquet was the mill with its water wheel and the stone bridge that led to the Green Dragon Inn.

Once inside the Green Dragon everyone was greeted with one free drink with 4 options to choose from. The was a non-alcoholic ginger beer for junior hobbits as well as a dark beer, an amber ale and an apple cider. I chose the amber ale. The green dragon has a hearty and cosy feel to it. You would be forgiven for thinking you’re in a genuine fantasy tavern. Roaring open hearth, comfy chairs, delicious amber ale, I could have spent all day in there. 

Below: The counter of the Green Dragon. 

Above: The fireplace in the Green Dragon.

After finishing our drink in the Green Dragon Inn the group entered the lunch tent for our included meal. The buffet tent was huge and must’ve had around 25 tables in it. Each table was called up individually to start plating up their own food although you could go back for seconds if you wished. There was a bit of everything on offer chicken, lamb, fish, vegetables but the star of the show was the roast beef. After the main course there were dessert options of apple crumble, chocolate buns as well as tea and coffee. 

I thought I was just getting a “lunch” when I booked the tour but I ended up not needing dinner that night as the meal was so filling. 

After the meal the group boarded the bus back to the Shire’s Rest and most of us went on a bit of a shopping spree in the gift shop. I reasoned the chances were I’ll not be back here again due to it being 11,500 miles from home so I bought a few trinkets leaving the problem of fitting them all in my suitcase for future me. 

The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour was a brilliantly immersive experience. The props and the gardens are incredibly well maintained which really made me feel as though I had entered Tolkien’s Middle Earth. I would say this tour is a must do for New Zealand’s North island and for all Tolkien fans.