I arrived into Rotorua around 9:30pm, walked to my hostel, showered and passed out — the exhaustion of long-haul travel catching up with me completely. But I had one reason to be up early the next morning and it was at the very top of my New Zealand list. I am a massive Lord of the Rings fan. Hobbiton was non-negotiable.
The Hobbiton Movie Set — the actual filming location used for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies — sits on a working sheep farm in the Waikato, about an hour from Rotorua. It is the only part of the New Zealand film sets preserved in its entirety after filming finished, and visiting it is one of those experiences that makes you genuinely glad you came to the other side of the world.
The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
The Hobbiton tour was the only thing I booked in advance for the entire New Zealand trip and it was completely worth it. Tour buses depart from Rotorua and take you to the Alexander sheep farm in Matamata — the bus ride itself is part of the experience, passing through rolling green hills that look exactly as much like the Shire as you are hoping they will.
A view of the Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand
The guided tour lasts around two hours. Our guide was exceptional — full of production facts, behind-the-scenes stories and genuine enthusiasm for both the films and the set.
The Hobbit Holes
There are 44 hobbit holes across the set and no two are the same size — intentionally. The larger holes were built to make the hobbits look small against Gandalf's scale. The smaller ones made Gandalf look enormous. The same scene required multiple takes on different sized sets to achieve the forced perspective the films are famous for.
The centrepiece is Bag End — Bilbo and Frodo's home, with its famous round green door and the Party Tree above it. The tree above Bag End did not have quite the right look during production, so the art department removed every single leaf and repainted them individually. Every single one.
The Party Field
The huge open area used for Bilbo Baggins' eleventy-first birthday celebration, where he puts on the One Ring and disappears. Standing in that field, in the actual landscape that became the Shire, is one of those travel moments that is genuinely hard to describe.
“"It's a dangerous business, going out your door." — Bilbo Baggins
The Green Dragon Inn
Every tour ends at the Green Dragon Inn — the Shire's famous pub, fully reconstructed and fully operational. They brew their own ales and ciders on site and one drink is included in the tour price. I had the apple cider. Fantastic. No wonder the hobbits loved this place so much.
Hobbiton Tip
Book your ticket before you arrive in New Zealand — not just before you arrive in Rotorua. Hobbiton sells out weeks in advance during peak season. Morning tours are slightly quieter than afternoon. Wear comfortable shoes.
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Practical Information
Location: 501 Buckland Road, Matamata — about 1 hour from Rotorua, 2 hours from Auckland.
Getting there: Tour bus from Rotorua or self-drive to join a tour on site.
Tour duration: Around 2 hours guided.
Booking: hobbitontours.com — book before you arrive in New Zealand.
What's included: Guide, Green Dragon drink, bus from Rotorua (most packages).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, even if you are only a casual Lord of the Rings fan. The craftsmanship and detail across the 44 hobbit holes is extraordinary, the guides are excellent, and the setting on a working sheep farm in the Waikato is beautiful regardless of the film connection. Fans will be overwhelmed in the best way.
