Hobbiton: Yes, You Have to Go
Just about any tourist coming to New Zealand is aware of the Lord of the Rings movies. And Hobbiton was a must-see for every single person who came to visit me while I lived there. Which means I went more times than I can count and the tour guides were starting to know my name.
A bit of background if you don’t know the story. When Peter Jackson’s location scouts found the Alexander family’s 1,250-acre sheep and beef farm outside Matamata, they knew they’d found the Shire. The village was built for the Lord of the Rings films, but after filming wrapped it was taken down — the farm went back to being a farm.
Then came The Hobbit. Jackson’s team wanted the same location and the Alexander family agreed — but this time on one condition: the village stays up when you’re done. Probably one of the greatest decisions in New Zealand tourism history. Today Hobbiton is one of the most visited attractions in the country and the farm is still very much a working farm, which makes the whole thing even more charming.
It is definitely a tourist thing but not to be missed even if you’re not a big LOTR fan. It’s cute, it’s fun, and they do a really good job of managing the number of people on the site and giving you time to take pictures and enjoy it along the way. The set is beautifully maintained — the hobbit holes, the gardens, the mill, the Green Dragon Inn. It feels surprisingly real.
There are several tour options. The standard Hobbiton Movie Set Tour is the classic — a guided walking tour of the 12-acre set with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn at the end. There’s also a Tour and Lunch Combo, a Second Breakfast Tour, and a Behind the Scenes Tour for repeat visitors who want to go deeper.
The one I’d most recommend for a special occasion is the Evening Banquet Tour. You tour the set at dusk and then sit down to a banquet feast inside the Green Dragon Inn — candlelight, shared tables, more food than you can possibly eat, and genuinely good quality. Not your typical buffet. We did it when my stepsons came to visit and it was a highlight of their trip. The evening tour takes you to a few spots the day tours don’t include which is a nice bonus. Groups are capped at 48 people so it feels more intimate than the daytime tours.
One important note — book well ahead. The Evening Banquet in particular books out 4-6 months in advance. December through April is peak season and many days sell out entirely. Walk-ins are generally not possible. Check the Hobbiton website for current availability and book as early as your itinerary allows.
