44 Unique Hobbit Holes
Every dwelling on the set was individually designed to reflect the personality, status, and lifestyle of its imaginary hobbit resident — from the humblest burrow to Bilbo's beloved Bag End.
New Zealand · Waikato · Matamata
Step Into
Step Into
Middle-earth
Walk through the Shire, explore 44 unique hobbit holes, and raise a glass at the Green Dragon Inn. The most magical film set in the world — just 2 hours from Auckland.
The Magic of the Shire
Experience the Magic of Middle-earth
Nestled in the rolling hills of Waikato farmland, the Hobbiton Movie Set is where Peter Jackson's vision of J.R.R. Tolkien's Shire came to life — and where you can step inside it yourself.
Journey to the heart of the Shire and discover the world-famous Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata, New Zealand. This fully guided small-group tour takes you through the stunning 12-acre estate where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were filmed. Walk in the footsteps of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, explore 44 individually designed hobbit holes, stand beneath the Party Tree, and finish your tour with a complimentary beverage at the legendary Green Dragon Inn — the most immersive film location on Earth.
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The Green Dragon Inn
Built with real oak, stone, and hand-crafted furnishings, the Green Dragon Inn is a fully functional pub. Your complimentary Hobbiton-brewed beverage is included in every tour.
The Party Tree
Stand beneath the iconic tree where Bilbo Baggins celebrated his eleventy-first birthday. Its leaves were individually hand-wired — a months-long process repeated for every film.
Expert Film Guides
Our passionate guides bring the filmmaking stories to life — revealing hidden details, clever set tricks, and behind-the-scenes secrets that casual visitors simply walk past.
Photo Gallery
The Shire in Every Direction
Behind the Scenes
Hobbiton Filming Secrets
Six fascinating facts that make Hobbiton far more extraordinary than any film set has a right to be.
🏗️ Built Twice — Rebuilt to Last
Hobbiton was originally constructed from plywood and polystyrene for The Lord of the Rings in 1999, then dismantled and the farmland restored. When Peter Jackson returned for The Hobbit in 2011, the set was rebuilt using permanent materials — concrete, steel, and real timber — so fans could experience it year-round, forever.
🌳 The Party Tree Took Months to Decorate
The famous Party Tree that shelters Bilbo's eleventy-first birthday celebration has one of the most labour-intensive backstories on the set. The real tree was fitted with thousands of individually hand-wired artificial leaves, colour-matched and shaped to achieve a specific autumnal look — a process that needed repeating before each phase of filming.
💡 Stand below the Party Tree and look up — the canopy detail is extraordinary from that angle.
🎭 Perspective Tricks Everywhere
To make hobbit-sized doors and windows convincing alongside full-sized actors, the set uses forced perspective — the same technique Tolkien-era illustrators used on maps. Doors, windows, furniture, and garden details were scaled to different sizes in different areas of the set. Your guide will reveal which props are which, and why.
🐑 It's a Real Working Sheep Farm
Hobbiton is not a purpose-built film park — it sits on the privately owned Alexander sheep farm near Matamata, chosen by helicopter by Peter Jackson himself for its untouched, storybook hills. The farm is still operational today. Sheep graze on the same hillsides that Gandalf's cart once rolled across on screen.
🍺 The Green Dragon is Fully Functional
The Green Dragon Inn was constructed using traditional pub-building methods — real oak beams, stone floors, handmade furniture, and a working kitchen. The exclusive Hobbiton Brewery produces Southfarthing ales and lagers brewed specifically for the inn. Your complimentary drink on this tour uses genuine Hobbiton-produced beer or ginger beer.
💡 The barrel ceiling and stone fireplace make it one of the most atmospheric pubs in New Zealand.
🔍 Details You'd Miss Without a Guide
Many of Hobbiton's most extraordinary details are invisible without an expert eye. Hidden fans pump smoke from chimneys. Clotheslines are arranged by fictional hobbit family sizes. Gardens are planted with vegetables at different stages of growth to suggest each household's harvest cycle. Every hole tells a different story — guides know every one.
Quick Shire Facts
Did You Know?
Your Day in the Shire
Tour Itinerary
A full day from Auckland and back, with every detail arranged for you.
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17:30 AM · Auckland CBD
Depart from Central Auckland
Your journey begins with a comfortable pickup from designated central Auckland locations. Settle into our luxury small-group coach — maximum 16 guests — as we head south through the Waikato. Your guide introduces the day and shares the fascinating backstory of how a working sheep farm became the world's most celebrated film set.
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210:00 AM · Matamata
Arrive at Hobbiton — Welcome to the Shire
Pass through the farm gates and feel the outside world drop away. A short farm truck ride delivers you to the edge of the set, where your guide begins an immersive, 2-hour walking tour through hobbit holes, gardens, and laneways. Photography is encouraged throughout — your guide will show you every iconic angle.
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312:00 PM · The Green Dragon Inn
Drinks at the Green Dragon
Every Hobbiton tour concludes with a complimentary beverage at the legendary Green Dragon Inn. Choose from Hobbiton-exclusive ales, lager, or ginger beer as you sit in the warmth of a real hobbit pub, complete with barrel ceiling, stone fireplace, and wooden furnishings. Raise your glass — you've earned it.
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41:00 PM · Return Journey
Depart Hobbiton — Return to Auckland
Board the coach and begin the comfortable return journey north, arriving back in central Auckland at approximately 3:30 PM. Your guide is on hand for questions, recommendations, and to help you plan the next leg of your New Zealand adventure. Many guests combine Hobbiton with Waitomo Caves the following day.
Pricing & Booking
Reserve Your Place in the Shire
From
$189
per person · AUD · all inclusive
✓ Return luxury coach from Auckland
✓ Fully guided 2-hour walking tour
✓ Complimentary beverage
✓ All entry fees included
✓ Small group max 16 guests
✓ Children under 8 discounted
Book Your Hobbiton Tour
What's Included
Everything Taken Care Of
Return Coach Transport
Luxury small-group coach from central Auckland and return — maximum 16 guests for a personal experience.
All Entry Fees
Full Hobbiton Movie Set access including all 44 hobbit holes and all film locations — no extras to pay on arrival.
2-Hour Guided Walking Tour
Expert guide commentary throughout, revealing filming secrets and film-accurate hobbit lore at every location.
Complimentary Green Dragon Drink
One beverage of your choice at the Green Dragon Inn — Hobbiton-brewed ales, lager, or ginger beer included.
Photography Throughout
Unlike many attractions, photography is welcome at every location — your guide points out the best spots.
Family-Friendly Pricing
Children under 8 receive a discounted rate. Small group size ensures personal attention for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hobbiton Tour FAQs
Everything you need to know before your visit to Middle-earth.
How long is the Hobbiton Movie Set tour from Auckland?
The full-day tour runs approximately 8 hours from Auckland, departing at 7:30 AM and returning by approximately 3:30 PM. The Hobbiton walking tour itself is around 2 hours, followed by time at the Green Dragon Inn. Travel time to and from Matamata is around 2 hours each way.
Is the Hobbiton tour suitable for children?
Yes, the tour is fully family-friendly and suitable for all ages. The walking tour follows mostly flat, well-maintained paths with gentle gradients that are manageable for children and most fitness levels. Children under 8 receive a discounted rate. There is no minimum age requirement.
Can I take photos at Hobbiton?
Absolutely — photography is actively encouraged throughout the entire Hobbiton Movie Set. Unlike some attractions, there are no photography restrictions at Hobbiton. Your guide will point out the most photogenic locations and camera angles used during filming, making this a photographer's dream destination.
What's included in the tour price?
Your $189 AUD per person price includes: return luxury coach transport from Auckland, all entry fees, a fully guided 2-hour walking tour of all 44 hobbit holes and film locations, and a complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn. No hidden extras. Maximum group size of 16 ensures a personal experience.
Is food provided on the Hobbiton tour?
A complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn is included in your tour. The Shire's Rest Café, located near the Hobbiton entrance, is available for lunch and snacks before or after the tour. We recommend bringing a light snack for the coach journey. Additional food and drinks are available for purchase at the café and inn.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are essential — the Hobbiton path includes some grassy and slightly uneven terrain. Dress in layers as Waikato weather can change throughout the day. Sunscreen and a light rain jacket are recommended. Bring your camera, a water bottle, and your sense of wonder.
Ready to Visit Middle-earth?
Small groups, expert guides, and every detail arranged — so you can simply step through the gate and let the magic begin.