If you are a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic high fantasy novels “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” a trip to the otherworldly glorious Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand is a must. The Hobbiton Movie Set, located on a family run sheep farm, about 5 miles west of Hinuera and 6.2 miles southwest of Matamata, in Waikato region, is a world-famous travel destination for Middle-earth adventure seekers. This unique New Zealand spot was used as the movie set for the Peter Jackson directed “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “The Hobbit” films.
The popular movies of the New Zealand film director left behind some 44 permanently reconstructed Hobbit holes admired for their beautiful earth-walled interiors. Highlights of the tour around the 1,250-acre property of the Alexander family on North Island, are Bagshot Row, Bilbo’s Bag End home, the Mill, the Party Tree, the Shires Rest Cafe, and the famous Green Dragon Inn pub, the Hobbit’s favorite drinking hole.
The Hobbiton Movie Set started offering guided tours to the public in 2002. Since then, adorned with gardens, bridges, and the Mills, it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand, drawing in more than 350,000 visitors per year.
It all started when Peter Jackson spotted the picturesque sheep farm of the Alexander family while conducting an aerial search of the North Island. He soon realized that it would perfectly fit J.R.R. Tolkien’s description of “The Shire,” an area settled exclusively by Hobbits in “The Lord of the Rings” novel.
New Zealand visitors are invited to book in advance to join the fascinating Hobbiton Movie Set tours either individually or in small groups to learn all about how the movie magic was really made.
Info
501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, Matamata 3472, New Zealand, United States