Getting there and what to see in Hobbiton
Fans of Lord of the Rings, fantasy lovers and readers of Tolkien’ s Lord of the Rings series have Hobbiton, a film set for the hobbits and Peter Jackson’s imaginative interpretation of the classic novel Lord of Rings is less than an hour from Tauranga. There is plenty to do and see nearby, enjoy planning the day and check out the small towns in the vicinity of Hobbiton.
HOBBITON VISIT – WHAT TO EXPECT ON A STANDARD TOUR
Visitors will walk through the original movie set for Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton™ tucked into the hillside of a working farm in the Waikato. The contrast between the pastoral rolling hills dotted with sheep and the stage set location of Hobbiton in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies is amazing. The local Alexander family sheep farm backdropped by the Kaimai Ranges now is the permanent home of a 12 acre movie set.
A two hour guided tour describes the filmmaking process, the intricate detail required to ensure authenticity to the original novel is kept and the quirky facts that make this film set special.
Visitors enjoy walks past the Hobbit Holes (homes buried in the hillside), the Mill and Green Dragon Inn where hobbits socialise. Each tour is approximately 2 hours and departs from The Shire’s Rest, 501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera, Matamata from 9.30 am onwards every day.
DURATION: 2 hours (including transport between The Shire’s Rest and the Movie Set). For up to date details and bookings check Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours.
For kiwis and Australians it is slightly odd and different to view an operational working farm, of which there are thousands in New Zealand and encounter a movie set framed by rolling hills, Kaimai Ranges and sheep. Kids will enjoy the fantasy world and adults become interested in the how of movie making.
Standard visit duration including travel to and from movie sets is approximately 3 hours.
WHAT TO DO THE REST OF THE DAY?
- Nearby Cambridge has an excellent weekend market, an interesting architectural main street with heritage Victorian interspersed with contemporary design, great walks and the Olympic rowing lake of Kaipiro nearby. For more ideas about Cambridge check Cambridge, Waikato trip guide, what to do, best activities.
- Matamata has bustling cafes, Hobbiton memorabilia to satisfy the most discerning collector
- McLaren Lake Reserve and waterfalls is a summer favourite for picnics and day outdoors walking through the reserve and parklands
Don’t miss Kaimai Mamaku Lookout For a selfie.
GETTING TO HOBBITON
Hobbiton to Tauranga is another great place for a day trip.
58 km is plenty of time to meet and greet the hobbits of Lord of the Rings.
Enjoy the day trip with family and friends.
BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
