Hobbiton Movie Set Tour: Visit The Shire in Matamata, New Zealand

Take a fantasy tour to the core of the Middle-earth by visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, New Zealand. You can choose to enter the colourful world of the Shire, and walk around the beautiful Hobbiton, the one in the Lord of the rings and the Hobbit trilogies, in this magical this destination.

Overview of Hobbiton hole

The Hobbiton Movie Set gives a magnificent peep into the hobbit hole settlements scattered all over the fertile and rolling hills of the Shire. Every carefully designed hobbit hole gives a distinct glimpse at the hobbit sized world which is the dream of J.R.R. Tolkien and which is brought to life by Peter Jackson.

History and Creation by Peter Jackson

The farm belonging to Alexander in Matamata on the North Island of New Zealand became the place of the perfect location of the Shire as Peter Jackson was searching. The picturesque rural landscape, which has the look of Tolkien, persuaded the location scouts. This was the start of the transformation of Hobbiton Movie Set.

The Enchanting Village and Hobbit Holes

Tour the magical Hobbit village and see the 44 hobbit holes sunk into the hill. Wander through the carefully tended gardens and vegetable plots, and visit such classic sites as Bag End, the residence of Bilbo Baggins, and the Party Tree.

Planning Your Visit to Hobbiton 

Visiting Hobbiton in advance means you are guaranteed of a smooth and enjoyable ride. The logistics of reaching Matamata, finding tickets, and picking the most appropriate time to visit are all things that are important to do when you are making the most out of your time in Middle-earth.

How to Get to Matamata

One will have to go to Matamata town in order to visit Hobbiton, which is reachable by Auckland or Rotorua. The Shire Rest is within a short distance of Matamata centre. It is the starting point of the guided walking tour of the Hobbiton Movie set.

Tickets and Pricing for the Tour

Jetstar tickets to the Hobbiton Movie Set can be booked over the internet. The prices of the tickets depend on the kind of tour that is picked. It is always better to make reservations beforehand during the high season so as to avoid disappointment.

Best Times to Visit Hobbiton

The shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are the most appropriate when the weather is not hot and there are fewer people to see Hobbiton due to the low season. Tours at early morning hours or in the later afternoons are less busy and you get the magic of the Shire to enjoy.

Types of Tours Available

Hobbiton has various forms of tours to suit the varied interests. There is the typical movie set tour and the behind the scenes tours and evening banquets, all of which will help any visitor immerse him or herself in the world of the hobbits and the lord of rings.

Standard Movie Set Tour

The standard movie set tour is a 2.5 hours guided walking tour which has taken you through the center of Hobbiton. This tour will provide a total examination of the movie set as well as your guides feedback.

Behind the Scenes Tour

To go into more depth, the behind the scenes tour is an option. Such guided tour provides exclusive access to the places where there is no usual entry and is a great insight to the film-making process and how Hobbiton was created.

Evening Banquet and Second Breakfast Tours

Here are some of the exciting tour options available:

• The evening banquet tour, offering a festive feast inside the party marquee.
• The second breakfast tour.

Both of them feature a tour around the Hobbiton Movie Set, and there is a themed meal at the Green Dragon Inn.

Dining Options at Hobbiton 

Lunch Combo Offerings

Taking the scenic guided walking tour around the Hobbiton Movie Set, there is an option of taking delightful lunch combo options. These combos, which will be offered in the Rest cafe of the Shire, offer an ideal way to get re-energized. They are the spirit of hobbit hospitality and serve multiple dishes that are reminiscent of the fertile fields of the Shire.

Feasting in the Shire

In order to be totally absorbed in the hobbit way of life, one could consider attending a feasting event at the Hobbiton Movie set. The Green Dragon Inn provides hearty foods that are worthy of a hobbit giving its customers a chance to enjoy traditional food in a genuine Middle-earth atmosphere. They are frequent themes in the feasting in the Shire experience.

Scenic Views from the Dining Area

Hobbiton dining areas are not only able to serve good food, but also provide splendid scenic views of the rolling hills and Hobbit holes. Imagine being able to eat, and looking out at the green landscapes that Peter Jackson created. This gives the feel of magic to the whole process of dining in this bright hobbit village.

Magical Experiences at Hobbiton 

Charming Hobbit Homes

Explore the village and wonder at the quaint Hobbit houses which are built into the hill. The 44 Hobbit holes are carefully designed and they provide a peep into the special hobbit-like houses. The elaborate gardens and the bright colors make the Lord of the Rings fan enchanted.

Iconic Movie Spots

Many of the most iconic locations in the lord of the rings and Hobbit Trilogies can be found in the Hobbiton Movie Set. Tour Visit the home of Bilbo Baggins, Visit the Party Tree where Bilbo held his birthday party. These places are the ideal place to capture pictures that would be remembered and have a closer association with the world that Tolkien created.

Green Dragon Inn

No one goes to Hobbiton without visiting the Green Dragon Inn, a meeting place of hobbits in the Shire. Have a free beverage at the hotel and relax in the intimate ambience. The significance of the inn is to enjoy the scenic view and have a first-hand experience of the hobbit hospitality.

Guided Storytelling Tours

Make your trip to Hobbiton more exciting and take a guided storytelling tour, which will be guided by the experienced guides who will tell you about the behind the scenes facts of the movie set construction and filming. These 2.5 hours tours enable one to know very interesting facts of how Peter Jackson made the vision of Tolkien come true. You will also get to know the complex construction of every hobbit hole.

Hidden Middle-earth Gems

In addition to the famous sights, Hobbiton has numerous secrets of Middle-earth that are to be uncovered. Go out of the way and see the vegetable gardens, the flower gardens and other delightful details. These secretive spots contribute to the feeling of amazement, and make the world of the Hobbits come to life in a grandiose manner.

Conclusion

FAQS

Q1: What is the best time of day to go to Hobbiton?
The best time to visit Hobbiton is early morning or late afternoon. These hours offer fewer crowds, softer lighting, and perfect conditions for photos of the scenic Shire and hobbit holes.

Q2: Can you rent a hobbit hole in New Zealand?
You can’t stay overnight in a hobbit hole, but you can explore them on the Hobbiton Movie Set tour in Matamata. The tour offers a detailed look at the world created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.

Q3: What is The Hobbit village called?
The Hobbit village is called Hobbiton, a movie set located in Matamata, New Zealand. It features 44 detailed hobbit holes and replicates J.R.R. Tolkien’s Shire from the films.

Q4: Who built Hobbiton?
Hobbiton was created by Peter Jackson’s film crew and designers. They built it on Alexander’s farm in Matamata, transforming the landscape into the authentic Shire seen in the movies.

Q5: Hobbiton which city?
Hobbiton is near Matamata, in New Zealand’s Waikato region. It’s easily reachable from Auckland and Rotorua, with tours starting from the Shire’s Rest near Matamata town.