Hobbiton Movie Set, Auckland Overview

New Zealand’s natural beauty has become inextricably linked with JRR Tolkien’s iconic Lord of the Rings series ever since Sir Peter Jackson’s celebrated big-screen adaptation came into fruition. The rolling green pastoral hills of the Alexander farm in Waikato became home to the Hobbits of Middle Earth, and the Shire was brought into existence.

The Hobbiton Movie Set, located on a sprawling 1250-acre cattle farm on New Zealand’s North Island, lies almost 200 km from Auckland. Initially serving only as a movie set for the Lord of the Rings movies, it was partly torn down after completing the trilogy. However, when the Hobbit trilogy began shooting, the set was rebuilt, and a more permanent structure was put in place this time. The Hobbiton Movie set is now a world-famous tourist attraction; guided tours of the farm show tourists what went into making some of the most iconic sets and most enduring movies of recent history.

Hobbiton Movie Set Guided Tours and Packages

Guided tours are the only way to access the Hobbiton Movie Set and tourists are not permitted to go on to the attraction if they are not a part of a guided tour. Guided tours of the Hobbiton Movie Set start from three locations; The Shire’s Rest, Matamata I-Site, and from Rotorua. Visitors can choose which site to start from according to their convenience.

Guided tours starting from The Shire’s Rest and Matamata I-Site pick-up locations

NZD 42 per persons aged 9 - 16
NZD 84 for adults above the age of 17
Children below the age of 8 are not charged but must be accompanied by a full-paying adult.

Tours starting from the Rotorua pick-up location

NZD 35 for children under the age of 8
NZD 77 for persons aged 9 - 16
NZD 119 for a full adult ticket.

Guided tour + Lunch combo

Buffet meals of a unique, Hobbit-inspired menu, served in a large hall decorated just like in the movies, are also a part of a guided tour package.

NZD 78 per person for persons aged 9 - 16
NZD 120 for adults
Children aged 8 and under are not charged.

The Evening Banquet Tour
This begins as dusk sets on the lush green hills of the Alexander farm as soft lights and lanterns light up the Shire, showing you a side of Hobbiton that is oft-unseen. The tour then takes you through the 12-acres of the Shire as your guide regales you with insider anecdotes of the movies in the soft light of the setting sun. The tour culminates in the Green Dragon Inn, where guests are offered complimentary drinks and quintessential Hobbit fare.

The Evening Banquet tour prices

NZD 100 for children aged 5 - 8
NZD 152.50 for persons aged 9 - 16
NZD 195 for full paying adults above 18 years of age.
Infants below the age of 5 are not charged.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Timings

Tours depart daily from 9:00 AM until 3:30 PM from the Shire’s Rest pick-up point.
Tours depart daily from 9:30 AM until 2:30 PM from the Matamata I-Site pick-up location.
Tours depart daily at 8 AM and 1:20 PM from the Rotorua pick-up location.

History of Hobbiton Movie Set

Hobbiton Movie Set, Bag End with party sign — Source

First viewed aerially in 1998 by Sir Peter Jackson and his team while scouting locations for the Lord of the Rings, the Alexander family farmland fit the description that JRR Tolkien outlined in his book almost perfectly. An almost complete lack of infrastructural development on the farm ensured that this virgin and untouched plot of greenery was the perfect place for the Shire to make its home. Partly demolished after filming of the Lord of the Rings was completed, the Hobbiton Movie Set was revived when filming of the Hobbit trilogy commenced. The surviving 17 hobbit holes were refurbished and a further 27 more were created, making a total of 44 hobbit holes. These were left as is when filming for the Hobbit trilogy concluded, and Hobbiton Movie Set as a tourist attraction was born.

Other Attractions Near Hobbiton Movie Set

Once your tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set is concluded, and you’ve finished having all the beers you can at the Green Dragon Inn, and buying souvenirs from their gift shop, an hour’s drive away are the world-famous Waitomo Caves. These caves are renowned for their extensive underground cave system, and for the bioluminescent glow-worms inside the caves that light up the darkness.
White-water or river rafting near Waitomo is another activity to explore near the Hobbiton Movie Set.
The Maungakawa Scenic Reserve, which plays a vital role in the conservation of endangered species, is a place to go to see the rare kiwi bird, the national bird of New Zealand.

How To Reach Hobbiton Movie Set

Hobbiton Movie Set lies almost 200 km away from the capital city of Auckland, in the Waikato region. The easiest way to reach there is to drive there with well-maintained roads leading the whole way. Many tour operators also ply bus services from selected pick-up locations as well.