Hobbiton is a unique place in the world. Hobbiton allows you to fully immerse yourself in the world of the Lord of the Rings. Stroll through the streets of Hobbiton, have a beer at the Green Dragon Inn, smoke a pipe atop Gandalf’s carriage, and even see Bilbo Baggins’s legendary home from the outside.
An adventure designed especially for Lord of the Rings fans. Get ready and feel like you’re part of this legendary Middle-earth story for a day.
I have to confess, from the very day I decided to travel to New Zealand, Hobbiton was a stop I absolutely had to make. When I finally got to visit the Hobbit Village, the experience didn’t disappoint.
Now, looking back, I’m happy to be able to share it with everyone and recommend it firsthand. Enough with the sentimentality, let’s get to it!
The Hobbiton set was built in the heart of the Waikato region in 1999. In fact, as Peter Jackson tells us, they discovered the place by chance in 1998: a pair of green slopes, grazed by sheep, leading to a stream that fed the lagoon. The image was so inviting that they decided to contact the owners of the farm and create the town of Hobbiton on that very spot.
Likewise, according to…. Wait, wait, wait. Should I keep telling you about Hobbiton? Give me a second to think about it, and in the meantime take another look at that gorgeous photo in the foreground.
Ok! Decided. There are many details and anecdotes about this place that I could tell. But in this case, doing so would be a spoiler and we don’t want that. The best thing is for you to go and check it out in person. Of course, I’ll leave you with photos that will surely feed your curiosity ☺️
There are two main ways to get to Hobbiton: by car, or by bus. However, in any case, to visit Hobbiton you must do so following one of the tours organized by the Hobbiton Movie Set company.
If you choose to go by car, you will need to drive to Matamata first. From Auckland, the journey will take around 2.5 hours. Once in Matamata, you will drive along a back road to the Hobbiton Movie set offices. Here you can buy your tickets, and a bus will take you to the entrance of Hobbiton. The transfer takes no more than 15 minutes.
If you prefer to go by bus from Auckland, you will need to take the Inter City Bus to Matamata. The bus will drop you off in front of the Matamata I-site center. You can buy tickets there. Finally, a bus will pick you up and take you to Hobbiton, where you will immediately immerse yourself in the visit.
The best time to visit Hobbiton is spring and summer, from October to March. Spring is ideal for seeing the gardens full of flowers and the little birds fluttering around. Summer is better so as not to get cold during your visit. Although if you go in winter a good beer in the Green Dragon tavern will keep you warm, don’t worry.
As I mentioned before, all tours are organised by the Hobbiton Movie Set Company. Here is the basic information about all of them.
The most basic and at the same time the most popular, a guide that includes a walk around the whole town with explanations and interesting facts. The route ends with a beer at the Green Dragon tavern, although this is not included in the price. This is the tour that I took, and it was very good, even though I was left wanting more.
Prices are as follows: Adults, NZ$89, youth 9-16 years old, NZ$44, children… Free!
Booking in advance is essential for this tour due to limited space. And what can you expect on this tour? In addition to a private guide around the Hobbiton site, it includes a banquet and a walk under the moonlight. The banquet is held in the Green Dragon Inn itself, where you will enjoy a dinner worthy of Hobbits. Afterwards, you can stroll through the small streets of Hobbiton at night.
Prices are as follows: Adults; 199 NZ$, Youth from 9 to 16 years, 162 NZ$, Children from 5 to 8 years, 104 NZ$, and children under 4 years… Free!
“Do you think he’s heard of the second breakfast?” For those who remember this mythical phrase from Pippin, this is the tour for you. You’re greeted with a brew at the Green Dragon Tavern. You then go on to explore the entire Hobbiton site. The tour ends at The Millhouse where you’ll enjoy a continental-style second breakfast. Sounds good to you?
Prices are as follows: Adults, 149 NZ$, Youth from 9 to 16 years, 99 NZ$, Children from 5 to 8 years, 49 NZ$, and children under 4 years… Free!
This tour is available from 23rd December 2023. This tour must be booked in advance. Not only will you be able to tour Hobbiton, but it will also allow you to explore the inside of different Hobbit Holes in full.
The only thing missing from Hobbiton was the ability to enter and explore the home of the Hobbits, and now, with this tour, we can finally do so.
You can also find different tours that depart directly from other cities. Although they include different attractions, they all coincide in their guided tour of Hobbiton. Again, the tours are organized by private companies, the tour of Hobbiton will always be supervised by Hobbiton Movie Set.
From Auckland you can book a bus tour. Here you will not only visit Hobbiton but also include an excursion to the Waitomo Caves.
From Rotouroa, this 8-hour tour takes in the stunning Kaimai Mountains and is worth booking for that reason alone if you are in Rotorua and want to visit Hobbiton.
From Matamata the visit is shorter. The tour plus the bus will only last 3 hours.
