hobbiton movie set evening banquet tour

How to See the Hobbiton Movie Set on the Evening Banquet Tour

By: Author Angela Price

Posted on Last updated: November 19, 2023

Hobbiton was a location high on our “must-see-whilst-in-New-Zealand” list. We were on the Oceania leg of our 3-month round-the-world trip and would spend two weeks exploring the North Island. The Hobbiton Evening Banquet Tour sounded like a lot of fun, so we worked it into our New Zealand itinerary.

We wanted to have a more exclusive look around The Shire and the evening banquet guided tour seemed the perfect option. We had heard that during the day, Hobbiton could get extremely busy, which we didn’t fancy. At night the Hobbiton tour groups are smaller, so it is easier to see everything. Also, the chance to experience a hobbit banquet inside the Green Dragon was very appealing.

Don’t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story. J.R.R.Tolkien

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Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions About Hobbiton

Is hobbiton a real place.

“Does everyone know where they are?” called out our Hobbiton guide as my son and I stood around eagerly awaiting for our tour to begin. We all looked at one another with puzzled expressions and nodded our heads in unison. Why was she asking such an obvious question?

Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies are not as popular in some countries as in others. The result of this is that visitors book onto tours without realising that Hobbiton is a film set.

Our guide continued to inform us that certain visitors arrive thinking Hobbiton is an authentic New Zealand village. Thankfully, my tour group were all avid Lord Of The Ring fans, so we all knew where we were!

I’m going on an adventure, J.R.R.Tolkien.

Hobbiton is close to the town of Matamata in the centre of New Zealand’s North Island. This area was originally a working farm owned by the Alexander family, but all that changed in 1998.

Film director Peter Jackson flew across in his helicopter and chose its green rolling pastures as the site of The Shire, the village in which the hobbits lived in their unique hobbit holes.

Construction began in March 1999. By the end of the year, filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy had commenced. In 2002 demolition of the site was all but completed as the filming had finished, but Peter Jackson decided to return in 2009 to film the Hobbit trilogies and rebuild the set as you can see it today.

The rest is history, and the 12-acre site became the focal point for not only the blockbusters derived from JRR Tolkein’s books but for the 650,000 die-hard fans that visit every year.

In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort! J.R.R.Tolkien

What can you expect on the Hobbiton Tour? 

The tour starts with a guided walk around The Shire at dusk. Small groups of visitors, each with a personal guide, are led along the lanes and told interesting, behind-the-scenes stories and funny things that had happened on set.

We found out that in one shot Sir Ian McKellan, who played Gandalf the Wizard, hit his head quite badly on the rafters of the Green Dragon Inn. In true thespian style, he continued acting, and it stayed in the film. Whenever I see that scene, it reminds me of my fabulous experience at Hobbiton.

Regular photo stops are incorporated as you wander around the 12-acre site passing orchards, veggie patches, and of course, the 44 colourful hobbit holes. The tour guides suggest good places to take photographs for optimum effect. After all, not many people get to visit the hobbit holes of Sam, Bilbo, and Frodo Baggins, do they?

Separating fact from fiction in Hobbiton

Only a few of the hobbit holes have doors that open, but even so, it is exciting to go inside these empty shells.

You must remind yourself that filming inside the hobbit holes occurred in the Weta Workshop in Wellington and not here!

It took us by surprise to learn that the vegetables growing in the plots were real and that a group of full-time gardeners was looking after the vegetables and the flowers.

Another surprising insight was that the giant oak tree above Bilbo’s house has artificial leaves, and every one had been hand-painted. The tree is only featured in the film for seconds which goes to show the level of realism required.

Hobbiton is so realistic that it is hard to differentiate between real and fake!

Not all that glitters is gold and not all those who wander are lost. J.R.R. Tolkien

As you cross the bridge over the lake as the night starts to creep in, the warm glow of the Green Dragon is a welcoming sight.

We were enchanted by the setting and the noticeable minute details all around The Shire. Notice boards, quirky signs, and props that made you think a hobbit may be hiding somewhere. I’m sure I saw a pair of hairy hobbit feet sticking out from under a bush.

What to expect at the Hobbiton Evening Banquet

Once inside the Green Dragon, you will be seated at one of the banqueting tables. Traditional Hobbit fayre of chicken drumsticks, roast potatoes, and salmon is served on thick wooden platters.

Alcoholic beverages are an extra cost, but no respectful Hobbit fan would leave the Green Dragon without a flagon of beer, would they?

The concept is for guests to share the banquet, serving one another from the same selections. Mouth-watering desserts are laid out in the centre of the table in the same manner as the main course. Pavlova, fresh fruit salad, chocolate puddings, trifle, cake, and biscuits are all in plentiful supply.

It may be hard to decide which one to choose, so if you are like us (and the hobbit folk), and have a sweet tooth, why not try a little of everything? The food is plentiful, the selections are varied, and it is all delicious.

Dinner is a great time to interact with fellow travellers and learn more about their journey.

And now leave me in peace for a bit! I don’t want to answer a string of questions while I am eating. I want to think! J.R.R.Tolkien

Night Falls Upon The Shire

Sadly your evening banquet will eventually end, and you must say your farewells.

A lantern is given to you to guide you back through a moonlit Hobbiton. The Shire glows from lanterns and fairy lights, and smoking hobbit-hole chimneys make you question whether this is just a film set or whether there may be a hobbit or even a wizard lurking inside them.

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. J.R.R.Tolkien

Useful Information to help you plan your trip to Hobbiton

How to get to hobbiton.

501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera, Matamata

Hobbiton is about a 2-hour drive from Auckland and is the perfect destination to come on a day trip from Auckland . Hobbiton is a 1-hour drive from Rotorua, packed with great activities for all the family to enjoy.

You can drive yourself or book one of the many tours that include Hobbiton in their itinerary.

If you are only coming for the evening banquet and making your way back home, then you need to factor in the driving distances to get back to Auckland or the surrounding areas. The tour and feast end at 10 pm, so be prepared for a long drive back at night.

Where to Stay near Hobbiton

Matamata was where we chose to stay as we didn’t want the long drive back to Auckland; however, finding a B&B for just one night was tricky.

We eventually booked with Eldonwood Bed & Breakfast , which was comfortable, spotlessly clean, and offered a fantastic selection of breakfast essentials. The hosts allowed us a key so we could let ourselves in after our late return in the evening. The distance from the property to Hobbiton was just under 6 miles with on-site parking.

How to Get Tickets for Hobbiton

Book your tickets online. Hobbiton’s Evening Banquet Tour is extremely popular, and I had to book mine three months in advance to get the exact dates I wanted.

The Evening Banquet Tour lasts for 4 hours.

Pricing and timings can be found here for the Hobbiton Evening Banquet Tour .

Day Trips to Hobbiton

Please Pin for Future Travel to New Zealand

Are you looking for further Australian inspiration? Please check out the following posts:

• 10 Best Day Trips from Auckland
• How to Dig a Spa at Hot Water Beach
• 3 Night Itinerary for the Coromandel
• Hahei to Cathedral Cove Walk
• Waiheke Island for Wine Lovers

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Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

John -Carpediemeire

Monday 25th of May 2020

This is the first time I’ve ever read in depth about Hobbiton. Needless to say it sounds even better now. Particularly because of that hobbit feast. And the desserts. What an enchanting place.

WhereAngieWanders

I’m glad my blog has highlighted what a great place it is to visit. It is indeed an enchanting place 😃

CHELSEA MESSINA

Thursday 21st of May 2020

How freaking adorable are these?! This post was like a fairy tale adventure book, but real life. You always find the coolest places to stay! Definitely pinning this for future travel spots!

Friday 22nd of May 2020

It was a really fantastic place to visit!

Looks like a great experience! I have been in NZ but not to Matamata. This must be a magical tour for die-hard Lord of the Rings fans. I love your pictures, especially the one taken from inside the rounded frame looking over mountains and sheep far away. The banquet spread looks inviting! :-)

It was a fantastic experience and its setting as you saw from my photos is so beautiful.

Wednesday 20th of May 2020

Lovely! I can't believe some people think it's real. Your photos perfectly show the place. Although I am not a big fan of the series, I would like to visit the village when I visit New Zealand.

I think it is a place to visit whether or not you are a LOTR fan. It is absolutely charming.

Wendy White

I enjoyed seeing your photos and hearing all about your time there. We had to miss out on going as there were too many places I wanted to see in such a small amount of time. I'd definitely look at this option next time though.

The first time we visited NZ we didn't visit Hobbiton either as we were doing both islands and had so much to fit in. This time we just concentrated on the North Island so could make it to Hobbiton. So glad we did.

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Hobbiton Evening Banquet Tour

Pricing From $230

Experience Hobbiton Movie Set at dusk with a guided tour of the Shire and a Hobbit™ banquet feast served at The Green Dragon™ Inn!

Your guide escorts you through the 12-acre site recounting fascinating details of how the movie set was created.

The tour concludes at The Green Dragon Inn with ample time to relax in front of the open fires enjoying a complimentary beverage from the exclusive Hobbit Southfarthing range. You will then be moved through into the Green Dragon dining room and treated to a banquet feast fit for a Hobbit. The tables will be full of traditional Hobbit fare and as is the tradition in The Shire, second helpings are encouraged.

To conclude this premium Hobbiton Movie Set experience, after dinner, you will re-­join your guide to make your way back through the wandering paths of the Shire. The trails will be illuminated by pathlighting and each of you will receive an authentic handheld lantern to light the way. This stunning journey under moonlight will travel through the village breathtakingly lit up with Hobbit hole chimney’s smoking and lanterns glowing against the darkness.

Wheel Chair Access at Hobbiton

There is a portion of the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour that is not wheelchair accessible. If you book at least 2 weeks in advance, we can offer you a complementary golf cart to take you around the set, so you can see everything.

Important Note:

Significant improvements are in progress to introduce a completely themed Hobbit Hole interior, set to be part of the Hobbiton Movie Set tour experience from December 2023.

Construction began in April 2023 and is set to conclude by year's end. Tours remain operational, with a revised route skirting the construction from April. Visitors can witness the project's progress, but please note that Bagshot Row , including Samwise Gamgee's home, will be inaccessible, and construction sounds are expected on the movie set.

Departs generally every  Sundays to Thursdays* evening all year round. 

• From: The Shires Rest, 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, Matamata
• Duration: Please allow 4 hours
• Tour times depend on season

*Bookings are essential and must be confirmed by the Hobbiton reservations team before a voucher is issued. Please wait for a confirmation before booking your travel arrangements.

Start: The Shires Rest, Matamata (early evening)

Finish: The Shires Rest, Matamata

Cost per person

Dec 2023 - Sep 2024

• Adult:   NZ$230
• Youth:  NZ$177
• Child:   NZ$119

Youth age 11-17 yrs Child age 5-10 yrs Infants 0-4 yrs free of charge

Cancellation within 72 hours will be charged in full.

Sample Hobbiton Evening Banquet Menu

Served buffet style and accompanied by tea and coffee

• Selection of housemade breads and condiments
• Golden roast chicken DF/GF
• Roasted fillet of salmon DF/GF
• Beef casserole GF
• Slow cooked lamb shanks on bubble and squeak with gravy GF
• Cumberland sausages with tomato relish
• Selection of roast vegetables DF/GF/VGN
• Garlic and thyme roasted potatoes DF/GF/VGN
• Kumara mash DF/GF/VGN
• Garlic braised mushrooms DF/GF/VGN
• Roast pumpkin stuffed with chargrilled succotash DF/GF/VGN
• Fresh green salad DF/GF/VGN
• Kiwi pavlova with fresh cream and strawberry coulis GF/V
• Bakewell tarts V
• Sticky date pudding V
• Seasonal fresh fruit DF/GF/VGN
• Baked apple crumble DF/GF/VGN
• Butterscotch sauce GF/V
• Honey and cinnamon yoghurt GF/V
• Vanilla custard GF/V

Special dietary requirements can be catered for. Please include details at check out. This menu is indicative only and subject to change without notice

Enquire Now!

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Singing in the Rain: A Review of the Magical Evening Banquet Tour at Hobbiton

Published November 2019

Hobbiton is the name of the movie set where parts of the trilogies “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” were filmed. Hobbiton is located on the beautiful North Island of New Zealand. Fortunately, even now that the films have been completed, the movie set lives on. Today, Hobbiton is one of New Zealand’s most well-known and frequently visited tourist attractions.

We had purchased Hobbiton tickets months in advance. As the big day finally approached, we checked the weather forecast again and again. We crossed all our fingers and toes—there just had to be nice and sunny weather!

Our visit started at 5 o’clock in the afternoon. We had signed up for what was to be a real Hobbit feast—officially called the Evening Banquet Tour. Throughout the afternoon and evening, we were to party like Hobbits and see the movie set both in daylight and darkness.

A bus took us from the ticket office over to the actual movie set. When we got off the bus, the clouds were dark gray, and the raindrops were numerous and heavy. A bit down due to the weather, we somewhat reluctantly borrowed umbrellas.

However, we had not taken many steps before our mood lightened significantly. Seeing Hobbiton with our own eyes could not compare with the pictures we had seen online. The colors, shapes, and not least, the incredible detail of the movie set was just jaw-dropping.

During the tour, we snapped pictures constantly. We took so many that our dear camera shut itself down for a moment. When it recovered after a quick breather, we sighed in relief.

Fortunately, our camera was not the only thing that took a break. The rain started and stopped from one moment to the next. Between light drizzles and heavy downpours, we saw teasing glimpses of blue sky before the clouds closed again.

When dusk approached, we almost started to appreciate the gray weather. Since we were the last tour group of the day, we now had the whole movie set for ourselves, not counting the chickens, ducks, and frogs that seemed to be thriving in the green pastures of The Shire. As darkness fell, the ambience became more and more magical and we listened to the guide’s vivid storytelling accompanied by clucking, croaking, and the occasional bleating sheep in the distance.

All our negative thoughts about the bad weather were totally gone by the time we headed for The Green Dragon pub. The wonderful atmosphere and our eager anticipation of the Hobbit feast ahead made us break out in joyful song as we approached the party venue.

Inside the pub, a crackling bonfire awaited in the fireplace and we were promptly served drinks. We were then let into the dining hall where tables were lavishly filled with goodies. We found seats and soon afterwards the feast began. In true Hobbit spirit, second helpings were strongly encouraged!

Time passed quickly as we ate, drank, and played with Hobbit costumes in the wonderful surroundings. The costumes were laid out for anyone who wanted to dress up. All that was left to do was let go and step into the Hobbit world. As the evening progressed, more and more guests chose to put on the Hobbit costumes.

With full stomachs, we were summoned for the final activity on the program—a night walk through Hobbiton. This time, lanterns replaced the umbrellas as the rain had finally stopped. With lights swinging in our hands, we strolled down new paths between the Hobbit holes that were now beautifully lit. Just like earlier in the evening, those who wanted to could take pictures in front of the holes, and the poses became increasingly creative.

As we climbed aboard the bus at the end of the evening, all the faces around us shone with excitement. It felt as if everyone had been sprinkled with a magical dust creating non-stop smiles and giggles.

Practical information and tips for visiting Hobbiton:

• Book tickets in advance! The Evening Banquet Tour is very popular and since it is not held every day, it can be sold out long in advance.
• The Evening Banquet Tour costs 195 NZD for adults, 152 NZD for youth and 100 NZD for children, and lasts approximately 4 hours. A dinner buffet and dessert, plus a drink (with or without alcohol) are included in the price.
• It is also possible to participate in other tours of the movie set, both with and without meals.
• It is wise to dress warmly, preferably in layers. Even with just the slightest possibility of rain, it is a good idea to wear a rain jacket or poncho. If you have a rucksack, bring a rain cover for it.
• Don’t wear your best shoes. Our shoes got muddy and dirty due to the rain.
• Those who want to are more than welcome to dress up in Hobbit or Lord of the Rings costumes. At the beginning of the tour, our guide encouraged anyone who might have brought their own costumes to put them on, but unfortunately no one in our group did this. However, we are sure that if someone had done it, they would have received a lot of positive attention!
• The weather is extremely unpredictable in the area around Hobbiton. Therefore, do not feel too down if the weather forecast is not the best. The day we visited Hobbiton, it was raining on and off all evening, but as mentioned earlier the weather changed all the time and we did have periods of sunshine.
• During the Evening Banquet Tour, we had plenty of time to take pictures, and both the guides and the other participants were very helpful in taking pictures of others.
• Remember to charge the battery on your phone or camera before arriving in Hobbiton. It is also a good idea to check in advance if your camera has a feature for taking good pictures in the dark. Some participants brought tripods, but we thought this seemed a bit cumbersome to carry around.
• There are limited accommodation options near Hobbiton. We booked a room in Buckland Bed & Breakfast located just a couple of kilometers away, and we were very happy that we didn’t have to drive far on the dark roads after the tour.

Link to Hobbiton Movie Set

Link to Buckland Bed & Breakfast

*We visited Hobbiton in September 2019. Hobbiton didn’t know they could be featured on our blog, and we did not receive any special discounts.

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THE EVENING BANQUET TOUR - Hobbiton Movie Set

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THE EVENING BANQUET TOUR

We did the hobbiton evening banquet tour and it was amazing. If you have the chance to do it, 100% go for it! How often do you get to eat a feast in a real life hobbit pub (and movie set). Entire experience was 5 hours, so even if it's a stretch for your budget, believe me, it's worth it. Treat-your-self. First you get a tour of the entire hobbiton. It's nice because there are no other groups so you have the place to yourself (and you can get pictures of the place without people in it). Then you go to the pub, get a drink (first one is free), and then have a massive feast. Come hungry! After that you go for an evening walk and they have the entire hobbiton village lit up, and you do a shorter tour through the village in the dark I have to say the devil is in the details. The set is so beautiful and they really go the extra mile to make it magical. If you wonder about the price just wait until you get there and you will see how much work is put into this place. I am a mild fan (read the books, saw the movies), my wife is not really a fan (read part of the hobbit, slept through the movies) and we both enjoyed it. My wife really liked it. Read the hobbit and or watch the movies before (1st hobbit movie most important) to enhance the experience. My wife is a vegetarian and they had plenty for her (but if you tell them they will make some special dishes for you). For meat eaters like me the meal has so much to choose from. If you can't do the banquet because it's booked out the tour will still be good.

Our son and daughter-in-law were married in front of one of the hobbit homes amid the beautiful flowers on a gorgeous December day! The tour was great and the Green Dragon was just beautiful and made for some beautiful pictures. We had an excellent after wedding buffet luncheon in a large tent on the property. Highly recommended to LOTR fans!

A lot of people here today. Had to wait two hours since we had forgot to book in advance. No problem because the restaurant upstairs was nice with good food and coffee. The place is fantastic beautiful. Can't wait to go home to watch the movies again.

A day trip to Hobbiton was exactly what I expected. A perfectly manicured village of the Lord of the Rings movies.

We went on the Hobbiton movie set Night tour and dinner. We are huge LOTR fans and had high expectations, and we were not disappointed. Even those that are not big fans can appreciate the amazing beauty of this place. Dinner, served banquet-style, was delicious and more food than we could possibly eat. Our guides Bea and Andy were wonderful. They were so knowledgeable, and generous with their time. I highly recommend this tour!

The first striking thing is how difficult it was to find Hobbiton when coming from Matamata. This attraction is known the world over, yet the signs only appear when you are close. However, this operation is very professionally run. You must book a tour, online or telephonically, which is very easy and helpful. There is no option to wander around on your own. We arrived a little early to a packed car park, and this was on a Wednesday in November, outside school holidays. There were some tour buses, reflecting the interest from international visitors as well as locals. The cogs work very smoothly, with each tour lining up in the staging area to get on the bus, which leaves every 30 minutes. They also offer specific languages, a Chinese tour left just after us with a Chinese-speaking guide. We had a brilliant guide, she was very well trained, enthusiastic, compassionate and very efficient in keeping us together and moving at the required pace. She took us through the story behind Hobbiton, and gave us many interesting stories about the filming, the characters. and the story lines. We had been to the Weta Workshop in Wellington 4 days before, so we were already in the Lord of the Rings / Hobbit mind frame. It was absolutely fascinating to see how they had built the village, and the attention to detail was incredible. It’s not a cheap endeavour at NZ$80 per adult, but it was worth it.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour & Evening Banquet Dinner – Tour from Auckland (High School Students)

• Banquet Menu
• Book the tour
• One Day Tours for High School Students
• Tours High School Students

14 to 17 years only

Experience real Middle Earth like never before at the Hobbiton Movie Set evening tour and banquet. Enjoy the most premium and intimate experience of Hobbiton Movie Set and immerse yourself fully as you spend your evening in the life of a real Hobbit!

Your journey begins with a guided tour through the shire at dusk. Make the most of the remaining daylight and step inside the world of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogies walking through the 12 acre site, whilst your guide recounts stories about the films. Bagshot Row’s doors are finally open! Step inside the real home of the hobbit by venturing beyond the door for a up close and personal glimpse of how hobbits live. Explore the detailed interior of a Hobbit Hole designed by the creative teams behind the original film trilogies. 

Then continue on the pathways of The Shire past the Millhouse onto the stone bridge entering the famous Green Dragon Inn for a complimentary carefully crafted Frogmorton Ginger Beer (Non-alcoholic). Move through to the dinning area of the inn and enjoy the delectable banquet feast fit for a Hobbit. Tables filled with traditional Hobbit Fare and as is the tradition in the Shire, second helpings are encouraged. Food is plentiful and the desserts are delightful! 

After dinner you will rejoin your guide to make your way back through the paths of The Shire, with illuminated paths and handheld lanterns you will cary to light the way. Take in a new perspective of Hobbiton Movie Set under the moonlight and travel through the village viewing spectacularly lit up Hobbit Holes with smoking chimneys and lanterns. 

Duration of Hobbiton Movie Set and Banquet feast is approximately 4.5hr

PASSENGER NUMBER REQUIRED

*Unless otherwise arranged

Experience the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, the setting for The Shire that featured in the Peter Jackson-directed film, “The Lord of The Rings”. Your tour starts with a drive through the picturesque 1,250-acre sheep farm with spectacular views across the Kaimai Ranges. Your guide will escort you through the ten-acre site at dusk recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created. The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill, and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into “The Shire from Middle-earth”. 

Travel the pathways of The Shire past the Millhouse on the stone bridge to enter the famous Green Dragon Inn for a complimentary carefully crafted Frogmorton Ginger Beer (Non-alcoholic). Move through to the dinning area of the inn and enjoy the delectable banquet feast fit for a Hobbit. Tables filled with traditional Hobbit Fare and as is the tradition in the Shire, second helpings are encouraged. Food is plentiful and the desserts are delightful! 

We return home to Auckland between 8:30pm and 9:00pm approximately. 

*Times are approximate, please allow for variances in times due to unforeseen situations.

This menu is indicative only and subject to change with the seasons without notice

• Selection of housemade breads and condiments
• Golden roast chicken DF/GF
• Roasted fillet of salmon DF/GF
• Beef casserole GF
• Slow cooked lamb shanks on bubble and squeak with gravy GF
• Cumberland sausages with tomato relish
• Selection of roast vegetables DF/GF/VGN
• Garlic and thyme roasted potatoes DF/GF/VGN
• Kumara mash DF/GF/VGN
• Garlic braised mushrooms DF/GF/VGN
• Roast pumpkin stuffed with chargrilled succotash DF/GF/VGN
• Fresh green salad DF/GF/VGN
• Kiwi pavlova with fresh cream and strawberry coulis GF/V
• Bakewell tarts V
• Sticky Date Pudding V
• Seasonal fresh fruit DF/GF/VGN
• Baked apple crumble DF/GF/VGN
• Butterscotch sauce GF/V
• Honey and cinnamon yogurt GF/V
• Vanilla custard GF/V

Special dietary requirements can be catered for. Please include details at check out.

This menu is indicative only and subject to seasonal changes without notice.

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Discover The Beauty of the Hobbiton Movie set at Dusk just before enjoying an evening hobbit style feast.

Experience Hobbiton™ Movie Set as you have never seen it before with a guided tour through The Shire™ at Dusk.

Your tour guide will escort you through the 12-acre site, recounting fascinating stories and anecdotes about the trilogies.

The tour concludes at The Green Dragon Inn with a complimentary beverage from our exclusive Hobbit Southfarthing range.

Enjoy a Banquet Feast Dinner fit for a Hobbit. The tables will be heaving with traditional Hobbit fayre and, as in the Shire tradition, second helpings are encouraged.

To conclude this premium Hobbiton Movie Set experience, after dinner, re-join your guide to make your way back through the wandering paths of The Shire. The trails will be illuminated by path lighting, and handheld lanterns will be provided amongst the guests to help light the way. 

This stunning journey under moonlight will travel through the village breathtakingly lit up, with Hobbit Hole™ chimneys smoking and lanterns glowing in the darkness.

After you finish your fantastic Hobbit trip, we make our way through the scenic roads of Waikato for your Private luxury transfer back to Auckland.

*  Evening Banquet Tours depart at certain times a week with additional departures subject to demand over summer. Numbers are limited, so pre-booking is essential.

*Please advise any dietary requirements you may have at the time of booking.

Tour Highlights

• Pick up & Drop off at Hotel or Airport
• Private Vehicle Transport
• Professional Guide/Driver
• Complimentary Snacks & Water
• Stop for Scenic Photo taking
• Sightseeing in Matamata Township
• 2hrs Guided Group tour
• Banquet Feast Dinner at the Green Dragon Inn
• Free Beer, Ginger Beer or Cider in The Green Dragon Inn

Frequently Asked Questions

We offer complimentary pick ups and drop offs from any Auckland Central Accommodation.

The dinner is served as a Hobbit Feast Style. Its meant to be shared across the table. Please check the tour gallery as a reference.

Certainly, please let us know if you have any dietary requirements at the time of the booking to make sure we can accommodate your request ahead of the tour.

Our pick up time will vary depending on the season.  For example if your booking is during the summer time, your pick up would be around 2:00 to 3:00pm from Auckland City. During the winter, your pick up would be between 12 to 1:00pm

Exact pick up time will be confirmed once you book and pay for the tour.

The Hobbiton Evening Banquet is a very unique experience, because you will do the tour around the Hobbiton movie set at dusk, have a delicious dinner at the famous Green Dragon-Inn pub and then walk around the set at night time with your handheld lantern guiding you around the hobbit holes.

You will spend approximately 4 hours on the set.

That includes: Tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set at Dusk, Feast Dinner at the Green Dragon-inn and an evening walk around the Set lit by handheld lanterns.

DESTINATIONS

Quick links, contact details.

Auckland & Beyond Tours +64 220 474 575 [email protected]

Get in touch

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

Choose a Tour

• Date Selected
• Group size 1
• 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 V
• Chickpea 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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TEL: +64 7 888 1505

The Shire's Rest: 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera

Tours depart daily from The Shire's Rest and Matamata i-SITE

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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.

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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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