Visiting Hobbiton: Movie Set of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings

When I booked a trip to New Zealand, the number one question I was asked, are you planning on visiting Hobbiton, the movie set from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. As it is one of the most famous sights to see in New Zealand and only a two-hour drive from Auckland, the answer was yes – of course!

However, for those of you who know me, I am not a big fantasy or fiction lover and can’t stay awake during long movies. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I have not seen all of the Lord of the Rings or Hobbit movies. I have, however, seen the first LOTR movie and the second half of the third. I feel like this gave me a pretty solid rendition of the tale… I tried.

Now, let’s take a look at how you can visit Hobbiton from Auckland to see one of the coolest movie sets on your bucket list. Yes, it’s cool, even for us non-Hobbit lovers!

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Getting from Auckland to Hobbiton

There are a few ways to travel to Hobbiton from Auckland: Rent a car, take a tour, piece together public transit, or schedule a private transfer.

The best route… well that depends on you. Who are you with? What’s your budget? How confident are you driving on the left side of the road or navigating public transit? Let’s take a deeper look at the options to help you determine how to get to the Hobbit Movie Set from Auckland.

Where is the Hobbiton Tour?

The Shire’s Rest Address:  501 Buckland Road, Hinuera

Car Rental to Get to Hobbiton

Driving from Auckland to Hobbiton is one of the most convenient options, covering approximately 108 miles (175 kilometers) in 2 – 2.5 hours. Just head south from Auckland on State Highway 1 towards Hamilton. Then continue on State Highway 2. Finally, switch to State Highway 27 towards Matamata.

Renting a car in Auckland provides the freedom to explore stops along the way, such as the scenic Waikato River or the town of Matamata. Best of all? There is plenty of parking at Hobbiton, so you don’t worry about that!

This is ultimately the route my friends and I took. Or if I’m using Hobbit terms correctly, we were excited as “We’re going on an adventure!”. Be forewarned, they do drive on the left side of the road in New Zealand, so this may take some getting used to.

Guided Tour to Hobbiton from Auckland

If you don’t have a car, consider booking a guided tour from Auckland to Hobbiton. These tours usually last around 8 – 9 hours in total and include round-trip transportation, entry fees, and a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set.

Tour companies generally will pick you up straight from central Auckland hotels, and the prices range from NZD $100 to $200. This is an excellent choice if you don’t want to deal with driving yourself. You’ll also be able to enjoy fun details from your guide about the filming locations as you explore the Shire.

Hobbiton Bus and Shuttle Combination

If you’re traveling alone and trying to do so on a budget, there is another way to reach Hobbiton. Take the InterCity bus from Auckland to Matamata. It takes just 2 hours and 30 minutes. Once in Matamata, there’s a direct shuttle service to the Hobbiton Movie Set every day. It’s just 20-minutes away.

The bus from Auckland to Hobbiton will run you about NZD $25-35 and the shuttle is included in your Hobbiton ticket if you book the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Matamata isite. Though this option requires coordinating the bus and shuttle schedules, it is the most cost-effective way for solo travelers to get to the Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand.

Shuttle pick up is located at the Matamata isite Gatehouse: 45 Broadway Matamata.

Transfers to Hobbiton from Auckland

Last but not least, you can book a transfer from Auckland to Hobbiton. Choose from private transport companies, most of which offer door-to-door service, or the more affordable small-group transfers. Both allow you to relax and enjoy the trip without any additional stops or waiting times.

This is perfect for families or groups who want to set their own schedules and not worry about driving. Prices for transfers are a bit more varied, ranging from NZD $80 to $400 depending on if you’re going the group or private route.

About the Hobbiton Tour

When visiting Hobbiton, you need to prebook a tour of the Shire, better known as the Lord of the Rings Movie Set and the Hobbit Movie Set. Each tour lasts 2.5 hours and takes you through the surrounding sheep farm into the depths of Hobbit land (Or should I say Middle Earth?).

Important: As the set is on private land, you can only visit Hobbiton via the official tour company.

Hobbiton Tickets

As I mentioned, the Hobbiton Movie Set is a popular destination in New Zealand. As such, you need to book your tickets in advance. They do sell out – to this day! Fortunately, there are dozens of tours each day – sometimes as frequent as every 10 minutes!

Adults: NZD $120
Youth (11-17yrs): NZD $60
Child (0-10yrs): NZD FREE $0 – They still need a “ticket” reservation.
Family Pass: NZD $306 – This includes 2 Adults and 2 Youths.
NZ Gold Card Holder: NZD $110

Find the latest information on the official Hobbiton website.

What to Expect on the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Your journey to Middle Earth begins at The Shire’s Rest Ticketing Office on Buckland Road in Matamata. Here, you’ll check in and collect your bus tickets. Just be sure to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

After checking in, you’ll board a bus for a short, scenic 10-minute ride through the Alexander family farm, which sets the stage for the magic to come. Upon arrival at the movie set, your guide will lead you on a walking tour through the sprawling 12-acre site, where you’ll follow in the footsteps of beloved characters like Frodo and Bilbo.

The Hobbiton Movie Set is only accessible through guided tours. The tours include a stop at Bagshot Row, where you’ll step inside a Hobbit’s home. Walking through The Shire, you’ll see iconic spots like the Party Tree, the Mill, and more. Your guide also will share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about the set’s creation.

Next, you’ll arrive at The Green Dragon Inn. This beautiful pub, which some of you might be familiar with, comes with a complimentary beverage from the exclusive Hobbit Southfarthing Range. Choose from specialty ales, cider, or a non-alcoholic ginger beer as feel like a character in one of Tolkien’s novels.

After your visit to The Green Dragon Inn, you’ll board the bus back to The Shire’s Rest. Here you can check out The Shire Store for Hobbit-themed souvenirs or enjoy a snack or meal at The Shire’s Rest Café before heading off on your next adventure.

The picturesque scenery of "Middle Earth" at Hobbiton

4 Very Cool Things about Hobbiton

Let’s review. I am not a Lord of the Rings or Hobbit fan per se, but Hobbiton is an amazing stop and 100% worth the visit – even if you don’t know the locations you’ll visit or the characters they’ll reference.

Here’s a few reasons I think it’s worth visiting Hobbiton.

1. Be impressed with the details of Hobbiton.

Honestly, the Hobbit Movie Set is really cool. It definitely exceeded my expectations. In creating the set, they took every tiny detail into consideration. During the tour, they share some of these off the wall stories and inside details, like:

The New Zealand sheep didn’t look “old enough” so they brought in different “older” looking sheep for the movie.
The laundry lines are perfectly drooped from having clothes actually hung on them daily.
The worn paths to access the holes were actually created by repeatedly walking on it.
There are tiny little tools and tables lying around.

2. Learn how they make the Hobbits look short.

Each hobbit hole had all of the details complete and perfect. From the small circular doorways, the fences, and the flowers surrounding them, every inch of it is equally impressive. If you’re wondering how the hobbits appear so short in the movies, they let us in on a little secret… Some of the holes are big and some are small to help make Hobbits look short and Gandolf look tall. So logical when it’s explained!

A picturesque hobbit hole with a red door and flowers - part of the tour when visiting Hobbiton

3. Find out what the inside of a Hobbit hole looks like.

They pointed out the important holes where some of the characters’ homes were but you aren’t allowed inside most of them. There is one slightly larger one which makes for great photos, and you can see the interior of one Hobbit home on Bagshot Row.

Hiding in a hobbit hole while visiting Hobbiton, New Zealand — Hiding in a Hobbit Hole

4. Drink at Green Dragon Pub.

After thoroughly exploring Hobbiton in all of its glory, and it really is glorious, the tour ends at the Green Dragon Pub. A pint of beer is included in your ticket. Excellent choice on their part.

My Key Takeaways from Visiting Hobbiton

Having not seen all of the movies, I still thought the set was really cool. If you are an avid fan, definitely check it out. The tours are well run and the guides well spoken. We were fortunate to have a small group of only eight of us, but many groups are much larger. Visiting Hobbiton is a great experience! In the words of Nike, “Just do it.”

Plan Your Trip to New Zealand

Now that you’ve surely added a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set to your New Zealand itinerary, there’s a lot more to check out. In fact, New Zealand is full of amazing places and sites.

Check out these useful posts to continue planning your trip to New Zealand:

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Visiting Hobbiton: Movie Set of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings