This was an absolute stunning visit for us, fulfilling our lifelong dreams to go see where the hobbits lived in the Shire. Of course, everything is to scale in real life, but it was an unbelievable experience walking on the paths shown in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. We had purchased our tickets beforehand online on their website. Upon arriving, it was easy to find parking and the check-in lines. There was a cafe and gift shop available to peruse through while we waited. An attendant checked our ticket times and allowed us to board a bus that took us to the grounds. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about everything we saw, heard, and touched. Anything that was within arm's reach, we could touch. Everything we saw was a real flower, plant, vegetable, or fruit. Nothing was plastic. Everything was made with raw materials as shown in the movies. Different places we walked past and through, the tour guide explained which scenes in the movies were shown. The tour guide was kind enough to take pictures for each group. Pictures and videos were encouraged. The tour itself lasted nearly 2 hours, which we thought was well worth our money spent. Near the end, a free beer was offered at the tavern and light snacks were sold. Any additional beer was extra. It was relaxing sitting inside the tavern as it was enjoying the cool outdoor summer of New Zealand. Hobbiton is a must-visit and we would love to come back if we can! read more

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This review is for the behind the scene Tour. I am a huge fan of Lord of the rings. I watch it every year. So this was one of the bucket list that I want to check off while I was in New Zealand. They pick you up from the meeting area, where there is a plenty of parking spot for you, you meet up with your tour guide and at least 15-20 other people in your group. You start out with the main part of the hobbit area where you'll see many many hobbit doors, and almost to the end you get to go inside of the hobbit house where it is all decorated with kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, so it's really fun to check that part out. This was my favorite part of the Tour. After that, they take you to the green dragon inn, where you're able to get one free drink that could be cider, nonalcoholic or beer. I really like their cider and you get to kind of chill till this massive dinner that they have planned for you. You go to this separated VIP area where they have a huge table full of food for you to enjoy. Food was amazing. I have zero complaint which is saying a lot. They were able to accommodate to people who had dietary restriction, which is amazing as well. And then the actual behind the scene part of it starts. You go on another bus ride to this more like a warehouse area. Where they show you the sketches of The Hobbit and the little model of the hobbiton as well. However, I felt that this portion could have been much better. I felt that it wasn't much of a behind a scene Tour. You got to walk around another part of Hobbiton area and they offer another snacks with cheese and wine. Honestly, without all this fantastic food, I felt that it probably would not have been worth the behind the scene portion of the tour. If I would go back or recommended to others, I would recommend just going to do the regular tour. read more

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Highly recommend visiting Hobbiton even if you haven't watched the movies (I watched it on the flight over to NZ so I had a general understanding of the lingo). I did the basic tour while my partner did the behind the scenes tour. He is a big fan of the LOTR franchise and loved the behind the scenes tour which consisted of the basic tour, lunch, and the behind the scenes part after lunch. Tour guides provided a lot of useful information and we were able to take a lot of pictures and also go into one of the hobbit holes. All the tours include a drink of choice - ale, hard cider, or non-alcoholic ginger beer all produced specially for Hobbiton by Good George Brewing. The non-alcoholic ginger beer was good. Since my tour didn't include meal, I ate a pepper steak pie at their cafe before the tour and also had a beef and ale pie while enjoying the ginger beer. If you want the pies, I highly recommend getting them early/before the tour because when I got out of my tour, most of them were sold out. I also had some hokey pokey ice cream. For a very popular tourist destination, their food is surprisingly good. The unlimited lunch that my partner got as part of his tour was also very good. Reservations for this book out months in advance so highly recommend pre-booking especially during high season (their summer). If you see that they're sold out, keep a look out for cancellations. There's free cancellations available so a week before you want to go, keep a look out for other people cancelling so you can book asap. This is what I did because I didn't originally want to go but after watching some of the movies on the flight and seeing people recommending going even if you haven't watched the movies, I changed my mind. Another option is to book a tour group from Auckland which might be more expensive but at least you get to go! read more

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With limited time in New Zealand, there was only one thing I could allot ourselves to do on the North Island and it was a visit to Hobbiton. Our trip would not have been complete without a visit to the movie set we've watched time and time again. But to be able to book the Second Breakfast tour was luck in our favor. Pro tip...eat a light snack before the tour because you won't be eating until after 10 am. Thankfully, being in New Zealand in December, the sun was bright and skies blue at 8:40 am, a perfect backdrop to see the set and truly admire the awesome location for the home of our beloved Hobbits. Then came the second breakfast, and it was incredible! I don't do buffets often but this one to die for. If I only had three stomachs, I would fit right in and gorge like Halfling. read more

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I was never a big fan of the hobbit Movies but visiting the set was actually quite spectacular! It's such a beautiful landscape and scenery! The tour guide made it interesting and she was very knowledgeable! A must see if ever in New Zealand! read more

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I mean, yeah! Right? I love these movies, but I was hesitant to do this because it seemed a bit touristy. As if I'm above that. Anyway I did it and it was cool. A couple of important impressions... 1. It's a well-run attraction. You'll notice that it can be hard to book a slot because they fill up quickly. That's partly because they carefully mete the guests through so that we get a good amount of time in there and it isn't clogged with crowds. It's all well-staffed and runs like clockwork. Note that you don't run around all willy-nilly and come and go as you please. 2. Basically everything from the first trilogy was long gone when they came back ten years later to do the Hobbit movies, so you're not seeing the original sets. But you're seeing a sturdier replication that was used for that second trilogy, in the exact same spot. I would have liked to see more remnants of the filmmaking, things like prop shops and gear that was used. Even behind-the-scenes photos from production would be cool. If you come hungry, there are actually some cool food options. I think they have proper kitchens and make some good food... I had a mocha and a lemon muffin, both very good! The most effective part is that it gives the feeling of being in Hobbiton. It's not like being on a movie set, it's like being in a perfectly preserved Hobbiton ghost town. You get to go in a fully-realized Hobbit hole, one that was created long after the movie crews left but it still greatly evokes the feeling of being in that fantasy neighborhood. For what it's worth, I did also enjoy driving through the quieter parts of North Island on my way to and from here. If you're on the fence, as I was, you can be assured that I have no regrets about visiting. You'll get some dope photos! read more

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I did not really know what to expect from here. I was hoping it wasn't overly touristy, amusement park like, or overly crowded. It definitely was more people than I expected, but it is very organized and thoroughly enjoyable. It was more than I expected, and kind of got a bit emotional seeing the actual Hobbiton where they filmed the movies. The attention to details were amazing. The guide was amazing at explaining as we went around Hobbiton. I was so happy I got to visit this place! By the way, photos do not do any justice! read more

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If you're a fan of the Lord of the Rings, then the Hobbiton Movie Set tour is a must-see attraction. You don't get to walk around unattended. That's to ensure that the grass doesn't die from being trampled on and to allow all guests to visit each area. Instead, you're assigned a guide with the guests on the bus that you arrived on. So if your bus has 50 passengers then your tour group will consist of 50 people. The guide will walk you through the different areas, explaining different facts about the movies and the set. For example, there are various size doors to make people look big or small. A big door to make Frodo look small and a small door to make Gandalf look tall. The tour guide will set the pace, which is quite leisurely, so that your group doesn't interfere with other groups. My biggest disappointment has to do with large group sizes. With large group sizes, it felt rushed because everyone wants a picture at every stop, which means less time seeing each area. The walking tour is 1.5 hours long and runs like clockwork. At the end of the walking tour, there are 3 Hobbit holes that you can enter. These were created a year ago. The other Hobbit holes that you visit, like Bag End, is only an exterior with a working door. The actual interior was filmed in Wellington. These are expertly crafted with a lot of attention to detail. There are different rooms such as a kids room, a master bedroom, kitchen, den, living room, etc. that you can enter and interact with. But with a large group, it also feels like a rush to get in, take pictures as quickly as possible, and move on. After the walking tour, we were treated to a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. I had the non-alcoholic ginger beer. Unfortunately, I was disappointed that it didn't have a strong ginger taste. Next was a buffet lunch. The lunch was excellent and there was quite a variety of food that will leave you full. That was one of the highlights of the tour. Finally, the gift shop is back at the farm, away from Hobbiton. It's not a large shop, so when you have multiple groups in the store at the same time, it gets quite chaotic. My bus group only had 15 minutes before the bus departed. Overall, though, I'm glad that I got to visit Hobbiton. It's quite incredible. But I don't think I'll do it again. read more

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For the record, I've never seen any of the Lord of the Rings or Hobbiton movies. So perhaps this place has even more meaning to the fans of these movies. Having said that, I thought it was a very cool activity on our New Zealand adventure. The fact that all the homes and furnishings were built from scratch for these movies, and the detail that went in to it all, was amazing. Our tour guide was also exceptional and genuinely enjoyed what he was doing. read more

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Review: Hobbiton Movie Set - A Journey Into the Heart of Middle-Earth Stepping into Hobbiton isn't just a tour--it's a time-warp portal into a living painting of nostalgia and wonder. Nestled in the rolling hills of Matamata, New Zealand, this cinematic sanctuary doesn't just replicate the magic of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit: it is the magic. It's where Tolkien's words sprouted into reality, and where Peter Jackson's lens made them immortal. The guides are friendly and the hobbit jokes abound. You haven't fully lived until you've raised a frothy pint of "Cinder" at The Green Dragon Inn. Brewed exclusively for Hobbiton, this apple-tinged golden ale has the crisp freshness of the Shire's orchard winds and the mischievous warmth of a hobbit feast. As you sip beside the roaring fire in the Dragon's inn with hand-carved beams overhead and mugs clinking in cheerful rhythm, you realize: this is not just a drink--it's a rite of passage. Bilbo's Hill and The Party Tree: Then there's the crown jewel--Bag End. Perched like a wise elder atop the hill, Bilbo's home watches over the Shire with an air of gentle mischief. And standing sentinel just beyond it is the tree--a sprawling, man-made marvel with thousands of hand-painted leaves. It looms large with mythic presence, as if Yavanna herself whispered it into being. It's not just a prop--it's a monument to dedication, detail, and cinematic love. The Water Mill & The Mill Pond: As you wander down the stone paths toward the water mill, the sound of the wheel turning in the gentle stream lulls you into that pastoral peace only Tolkien could dream up. Ducks drift by. Willow trees hang lazily. You could swear Gandalf is about to trot around the bend in a cart, fireworks in tow. Tiny Hobbit Homes, Details and more! The hobbit holes scattered along the paths are a masterclass in storytelling through architecture. Each has its own personality--tiny windows, crooked chimneys, laundry on the line, and hand-painted signs. Some are barely waist-high, others large enough to walk into. Together, they tell a silent story of unseen residents baking seed cakes, smoking pipes, or planning the next garden party. A Living Painting But what elevates Hobbiton from theme park to legend is the set itself. The gardens bloom with unforced beauty. The grass is uneven and perfect. Butterflies flit through clover. The air smells of flowers, woodsmoke, and imagination. It is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful pieces of production design on the planet--and the fact that it still lives after the cameras have stopped rolling is a testament to how deeply it resonates with all who wander its hills. Final Thought Hobbiton is not just a film set. It's a pilgrimage site for dreamers. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a curious traveler, you'll find something here that stirs the soul--a moment, a view, a pint, a path--that whispers, "You are home." read more

Hobbiton Movie Set - Hobbiton - Walking Tours Near Me - Matamata, WKO

Beautiful, breathtaking, phenomenal adventure through Hobbiton. Andrew was an amazing tour guide, gave us many behind the scenes lore on Hobbiton and Lord of the Rings. Visiting Hobbiton and New Zealand was a dream come true and was surreal for me. It felt like an out-of-body experience just to witness the beauty of the country. I appreciated the small groups we were split into to avoid overcrowding, the staff did a superb job on organizing and keeping the location clean and the pace of the tour was perfect. Everyone was very friendly and made me feel very welcomed. I would definitely experience this again when given the chance. Book your tour today! read more

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All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us- The Fellowship of the Ring Amazing visit to Hobbiton. So much fun exploring the movie set with our very enthusiastic guide, Ben. Walking through The Shire was so beautiful. Winding trails, Hobbit Holes, The Mill, The Green Dragon Inn, Bag End. Easy to see why Peter Jackson fell in love with the beauty of this location to create Middle-earth. Go behind the doors of a Hobbit Hole to explore how a typical Hobbit family would live. So cool. The Hobbit homes on Bagshot Row just recently opened for guests to visit. Even if you are not a fan, it is so much fun to enter through the winding hole in the earth and then go from room to room. Warm up by the roaring fireplace in the living room. Sit on the couch. Check out the hobbit-sized bunkbeds. Take a quick nap in the master, but no shoes on the bed. Check out the pantry. Bake a blueberry pie or stir the pot of soup. Read the guide to mushrooms. Something is always cooking for the seven meals a day! Go past The Mill to reach the Green Dragon Inn to enjoy a frogmorton ginger beer, a sackville apple cider or a pint of ale. These brews are locally brewed and only available at the inn. The Hobbiton Movie Tours sell out especially in the summer, so a reservation is strongly recommended. I used Shore Tours & Trips. Our guide, Gary, was great. Met him right next to the cruise port at Tauranga and he gave so much information about the local area on our 45 minute drive. Fun fact: The Party Tree was almost cut down prior to Peter Jackson scouting sites for Lord of the Rings. The enormous pine tree was disruptive to the flow of sheep. Mr. Alexander had sent for someone to cut down this magnificent tree, but the blade was too small so the job was never started....fortunately. Also, when the scouts first approached Mr. Alexander to view his sheep farm, he was engrossed in watching a football game and asked them to come back. How is that for Middle-earth karma. read more

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My wife and I were on vacation in Auckland, New Zealand and I signed up for the Hobbiton/Glowworms cave tour. I am so glad I did. We hung out at the gift shop/bus stop for about 45 minutes and I bought a magnet of The Shire. We boarded a bus that takes you through the family farm and they play a little video from Peter Jackson for the five minute ride. Lots of sheep and very serene. We got off the bus and they have 44 hobbit houses along a hill and there is a mill and a bridge and The Green Dragon inn. It was really cool. Our guide was from Australia and I liked her a lot. She said she moved to New Zealand just for this job. I would recommend this cool day trip, we only had five days and New Zealand, and I am glad I spent one of the days doing this. read more

Hobbiton Movie Set - Sign at the bus stop - Walking Tours Near Me - Matamata, WKO

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While some of the sweeping views from the Lord of the Rings universe are actually mostly on the South Island of New Zealand, the cozy country hideaway of Hobbiton is just a short drive from Auckland on the North Island. We booked a tour through InterCity and that was the most cost effective way we found that included the tour and transportation roundtrip from Auckland (there and back again!) The bus stops in Matamata at the iSITE station where you will wait for your shuttle to take you to the movie set in the countryside. If you get there a tad early, you can have lunch at the Lord of the Rings themed pub/restaurant in town there that is so so good (Redoubt). The food there was hearty and excellent, and right on theme. Once we finished up with lunch, it was time for our tour to depart. We went in April when the weather is nice and warm but there are some pretty rainy days. We got so super lucky that it rained the morning of our visit (just for the bus drive to Matamata from Auckland) but right when we arrived at Hobbiton in the afternoon, the clouds parted and we had a rainbow over the Shire and the whole place to ourselves. A little bit of mud didn't bother us, to get this basically private tour experience for the price of the general admission. We were taken around by a great tour guide who told lots of fun stories about the books/movies and the filming location itself. We had a snack (beef and ale pie!) and Hobbit beer at the Green Dragon Inn (also all to ourselves) - and we even got to go behind the bar for some pictures! We also got to go inside a few of the Hobbit holes/houses and spend more time there, which would usually be full of people on the nicer/busier days of the year. I honestly just didn't want to leave, but they wouldn't let me move in for good. The farmland around the Hobbiton movie set is also gorgeous and makes for a pleasant ride home back to Auckland. I say if you are a big fan of the movies or books in the Lord of the Rings series, you absolutely should make this one day of your trip to the North Island. It is worth it and enjoyable, even for a casual fan! read more

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What a wonderful experience. We booked our tour straight through Hobbiton. We decided to do the late tour with the hobbit feast and it was the perfect choice. We arrive to Hobbiton and were the last group of the day. We got to walk around with no other people but the ones in our group. It was stunning and so well done! Getting to see it all up close was a dream. After our walk around, we made our way to the green dragon. There we got a drink and sat by the fire while we waited for dinner to be done. Then it was dinner time. We sat at these big wooded tables and the food was all served family style. There was so much food! It was pure wonderful chaos as everyone started grabbing and passing food. Amazing conversation was had and the food was delicious. After dinner we were given lanterns for the walk back. We got to see the hobbit holes lit up for the evening, and stopped in a field to look at the stars and learn more about the area and films. Then we got on the buses and headed back. We absolutely recommended the feast tour! read more

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If you've made it to Auckland, you might as well head to Matamata (a two hour drive by auto from Auckland). What's there- the Hobbiton movie set, of course! In a large working sheep/cattle farm, you'll find the original location of the shire from the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) trilogy and from The Hobbit as well. They kept the site up as a tourist attraction for all the world to see. There is a cafe, the Green Dragon Inn and an obligatory gift shop with lots of LOTR merchandise too! Above all, you'll find beautiful and idyllic hobbit homes complete with working chimneys and clothes lines. A bit further along, you will find a pond, a mill and actual vegetable gardens. As a fan of the books and movies, you'll be thrilled to go on the tour. Even if you aren't, it's quite fascinating to see what they've done to create movie sets in the middle of a livestock farm. Go for the lunch/tour combo and enjoy ginger beer at the Green Dragon. On the way out, greet the sheep. Not all of them will be happy to see you, however, as some of the fluffy animals don't like visitors. read more

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As a Lord of the Rings and Hobbit Ultra-Fan, visiting Hobbiton was fire! The gift shop had all sorts of Weta Workshop memorabilia, posters and cool lotr stuff in general, the tour was really great too, our guides let us in on some fun bts stories about production. Going through the hobbit hole was spectacular, especially seeing the craftsmanship of the set designers from lotr. After the tour, we had dinner at The Green Dragon, and the dinner was crazy good! They had awesome hobbit-like food piled buffet style on the tables, and after the awesome meal, they brought out dessert, and man, that stuff was gas! They had merengues, (raspberry filled, i think, delicious), watermelon, and so many other delicious things i can't even remember! After dinner, we walked out of Hobbiton carrying lanterns, and we were told some hobbit tales, and the vibe was sweet!!! Also, while you wait for your tour, stop at the café, and grab a snack, they have a great selection. What an amazing experience, I can't wait to visit again! read more

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Was good to experience once. A bit pricey per person but it was neat to see the Hobbit houses and get the tour guide commentary. Was cool to have a drink at the green grotto. The scenery was stunning. We won't need to go again. read more

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Amazing experience! We took the bus tours and a bit pricey but it includes a very good lunch. I am impressed with the employees, they are mostly young Americans and you can hear the accent. It was rain and shine day but you really need good feet and catching up with your group. Lovely and fun time here!! I still remember the cat that the Hobbiton have adopted, hope she's still there just sitting in that couch read more

I love New Zealand! Whether you like the movies, books or neither, this is a must see! It is so interesting to get an insight into how the movie was made and just how intricate every detail is. You line up in groups of when you reserved your spot. Every guide has a unique way of explaining the many scenes and sharing some laughs on the way too. I would definitely recommend this for anyone, the complimentary drink at The Green Dragon is something to look forward to and the views and landscapes are stunning! I would absolutely come back again and again. read more

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Loved this place; one of my favorite planned stops during our trip to New Zealand this past December. Our tour leader, though he seemed like he might be a little new to the job, did pretty well. At the beginning of the tour, they offer you an umbrella (tip: we went in December, and it was fairly sunny and warm). There are a lot of opportunities to take fun photos. The trouble is, waiting for every member of your group to also take their pictures is pretty time-consuming. Regardless of the taping that took place on this properly, it is absolutely stunning. Our best pictures and views of New Zealand's pristine pastures came from this tour. Bonus: at the end of the tour, you get to sit down and enjoy your choice of dark beer, light beer, or non-alcoholic ginger beer. read more

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What an amazing experience. The tour guide was great. Memory of a life time. Shout out to the Hottie with the Doc Martins and Cute Spider earring in the gift shop. You know who you are would have flirted had you not been working. read more

An excellent experience on every level. The guides had a lot of stories about the makings of the movies & notes of the local area. The movie set is everything we dreamed it would be. We went in the spring where it was particularly picturesque with the rolling hills and the sweet lambs with their mums. The lantern tour at night was very beautiful but difficult to get pictures unless you have a specific camera for it. The tour guide Drew was very nice. The night turned out chillier than we thought and he gave my wife his jacket, what a guy! At the Green Dragon the feast was really good I can't believe there's only one chef. Of the three alcoholic beverages available I would say the dark beer was probably my favorite but the cider was very good as well. Highly recommend for any LOTR fan. read more

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