Hobbiton Travel Guide: Movie Set Tour & Visitor Tips

Overview

Fans of Middle-earth won't want to miss the Hobbiton Movie Set, a beautifully preserved film location tucked into the rolling farmland of Matamata, built for both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies and kept as a permanent attraction ever since.

About the Movie Set

The set features over 40 hobbit holes with their own tiny gardens and chimneys, the party tree, the mill, the double-arched bridge and the Green Dragon Inn — all built to the same scale and detail seen on screen.

Booking Tickets

Tickets should be booked online well in advance, especially during New Zealand's summer (December-February) and around school holidays, when tours regularly sell out days ahead.

What to Expect on the Tour

A guided walking tour lasts around two hours, led by a costumed guide who shares behind-the-scenes stories, and finishes with a complimentary ale, cider or ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn.

Combining with Other Stops

Hobbiton sits roughly midway between Auckland and Rotorua, making it easy to combine with either as a full-day trip, or to break up the drive between the two cities.