Review: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour, Matamata, NZ

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Among the rolling green hills in the heart of the North Island’s Waikato region, you will find the ‘real’ Middle-earth.

The Hobbiton Movie Set — which featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies — is located just a short drive from the town of Matamata. Also referred to as ‘the Shire’, it’s currently one of New Zealand’s most visited tourist attractions. Its rise to worldwide fame began with an aerial search for that perfect filming location, and this working sheep farm, owned by the Alexander family, was chosen.

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Construction started in 1999 in preparation for the filming of The Lord of the Rings, and ten years later many of the structures were made permanent in a rebuild for the production of The Hobbit. The enchanting Hobbiton Movie Set is now visited by around 500,000 people a year.

I am not a fan of the books or movies, and truth be told I haven’t seen any of The Hobbit films. Even living in the Waikato region for several years didn’t entice me to visit Hobbiton. But more recently, curiosity got the better of me, and I decided it was time I found out what all the hype was about.

My visit to Hobbiton is in early May — just when the renowned Waikato fog becomes a common occurrence. The weather and time of day can definitely impact on your experience. Any time of the year is fine if the sun is shining, but there’s more chance of getting a sunny day over the summer months. If you want the best light for photos, a morning tour is recommended as The Shire largely faces the morning sun.

As I make my way to The Shire’s Rest cafe and shop, the fog is thick and low, and I’m a little worried it won’t lift before my 12.40pm tour. The Shire’s Rest is where Hobbiton tours begin. I arrive early to give myself time to collect my ticket, browse in the store and buy some lunch. The store offers a fantastic range of merchandise, and the cafe is reasonably priced. I enjoy my lunch out on the balcony overlooking the picturesque farmland. And what do you know, the fog begins to clear! There is a touch of magic here!

Pre-booking your ticket is essential, especially during the busy summer months. You can book online and make your own way to The Shire’s Rest. Alternatively, there are organised tours available from Matamata, Rotorua, and even Auckland, which include your transfer and ticket.

I board a tour bus with the rest of my group for the short trip out to The Shire. We’re greeted by our lovely guide and a video introduces us to the history of the Hobbiton Movie Set. We’re also given strict instructions about sticking together. Our guide has a great sense of humour and some funny stories about what might happen if we lose her (no one wants to end up with the wrong group and on a bus back to Rotorua instead of The Shire’s Rest!).

The two-hour tour is conducted on foot and we’re all pretty excited to get going. And it’s not long before we reach our first hobbit hole. The novelty of it means we spend quite some time taking photos. Patience is key as everyone wants to get that perfect shot!

There are around twelve acres of hobbit holes, gardens, water features, and cute corners, nooks and crannies to see. We move at a good pace, but with ample time to stop for photos and to listen to interesting facts about the set from our guide. The distance covered is not that great; neither is the physical ability needed to enjoy the tour. There is an incline up to Bag End (the home of protagonist Bilbo Baggins), but it would be manageable for most people.

Our guide points out the most famous locations from the films and some of the less obvious details. Her knowledge is really impressive. We stop at one particular hobbit hole where we’re able to pop inside the door for a photo (and in case you are wondering, the majority of the hobbit hole doors have nothing behind them; they’re just doors in the side of a hill). Our guide is happy to take the photos, which is great for solo travellers, or groups who always have one person missing from their holiday snaps.

From Bag End, the tour descends to the Party Tree, and then around the lake past the Mill, across the double arch bridge, and finally to the charming Green Dragon Inn. Upon entering, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve been transported to another world. Here we’re treated to a complimentary beverage — a choice of two ales, a cider, or a non-alcoholic ginger beer. There’s also a cafe where snacks and other beverages can be purchased. From here it’s a short walk back to a bus, which returns us to The Shire’s Rest.

My verdict on the Hobbiton hype? It’s pricey but worth the money if you are a fan of the books and movies, or you just want to see a real film set. Our guide did a superb job on the tour and managed the group very effectively. However, you do need to be prepared for the crowds.

All in all, I’m glad I finally spent some time in magical Middle-earth.

For more information, visit www.hobbitontours.com. You can book this experience here.

Browse our full range of New Zealand tours and experiences here.

Cover image: Tourism New Zealand/Ian Brodie. Additional images: Bigstock

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