A WELL TRAVELED PAIR
Hobbiton: Take a Trip to Middle-Earth
by Katie McCabe | @awelltraveledpair | April 14th, 2018
After the release of Peter Jackson's famed Lord of the Rings trilogy, millions of visitors flocked to New Zealand to experience a piece of Middle-Earth.
Built on a 1,200 acre sheep farm on New Zealands' North Island, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours takes its guests around the iconic movie sets from both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Visitors wander past numerous Hobbit homes, stroll through the Shire, and stop by the infamous Green Dragon Inn for a refreshing red ale or ginger beer.
How to Get There
The easiest way to get to the Hobbiton Movie Set is by driving. Driving time estimates are as follows....
Hamilton - 45 minutes
Tauranga - 50 minutes
Rotorua - 1 hour
Taupo - 1.5 hours
Auckland - 2.5 hours
Parking is free and plentiful.
If you don't have a car, check out the Hobbiton Movie Set Tours website. You'll find a list of local transfer companies that offer round-trip transportation to Hobbiton.
Which Tour to Take
There are a handful of tours to choose from.
The most popular tour is the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. This is a guided tour (all of the tours are guided) that takes visitors around the 12-acre Shire, past Hobbit Holes and the Mill, before ending at the Green Dragon Inn for a complimentary beverage. Tour prices are $84 for adults aged 17 and up, $42 for children aged 9 to 16, and children under the age of 8 are free as long as they accompany a full paying adult. Lunch can also be added to this tour for an additional fee. See the official website for current pricing.
Another popular tour is the Evening Banquet Tour. Visitors are guided around the Shire at dusk before heading into the Green Dragon Inn for a traditional Hobbit feast. After dinner, visitors are guided back through the Shire with handheld lanterns to light the way. Guests marvel at the glowing village, illuminated Hobbit Holes, and smoking chimneys under the magical moonlight. Tour prices are $195 for adults aged 17 and up, $152.50 for children aged 9 to 16, $100 for children aged 5 to 8, and children under age 4 are free as long as they accompany a full paying adult.
Private Tours and Chinese Tours are available as well.
When to Go
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours is open year-round. Anytime is a good time to go, but the weather tends to be drier and more comfortable during November to March.
Tour times vary throughout the year, so check the website for the most up-to-date information.
