The drive down from Auckland airport to Matamata the home of the Hobbits from the film and books - Lord of the Rings - Hobbiton is about 150 kilometers and takes about one and three quarters hours on State Highway 27. The director of the films, Peter Jackson a New Zealander choose the countryside around Matamata because of its gently sloping grasslands and trees. Hobbiton is now a thriving tourist industry with tour buses arriving every hour or so. If you are a fan of the book or the film - Lord of the Rings, then if touring New Zealand this is a must visit place.
The i-Site tourist office is worth a visit as the building is constructed to look like one of the Hobbit dwellings (see photo). These tourists information office are to be found in all of New Zealands major towns, cities and places of interest. There you will find information on what to see and do locally, book accommodation if required or take away free maps including local walks. They are a must visit if you are a tourist in New Zealand. I always go when I am touring as they have always been so helpful to me in the past.
A good place to eat is the Redoubt Bar & Eatery which you’ll find at 48 Broadway. It is a lively place with lots of flags and pictures on the walls. I enjoyed the Jack Daniels Smoky Ribs at $29 but the menu is extensive so take your pick.
This truly looks like the Shire! What an amazing article. Congrats, @Grant1 ! That grabbed my attention DO you happen to know if any scene or feature for Lord of the Rings has been filmed there?
Hi @FlameFox thanks for your kind comments. The Shire was also used in the very first Lord of the Rings film. The Fellowship of the Ring when Gandalf came to the Shire to ask Bilbo Baggins to go on a journey. However I believe the Shire appears in all of the films at some point.
It’s amazing to hear that the place has been used as a filming location indeed. From what I have seen from the LotR, they mainly had landscape sets. Knowing that’s not entirely the case makes the series even more exciting! Thank you for clarifying on that, @Grant1
As a massive Lord of the Rings and Tolkien fan, I sadly missed Matamata on my trip to New Zealand many years ago, @Grant1 !
Thanks to your write-up and photos, I was able to sneak in a little virtual trip. I love that the town and surrounding businesses have really embraced tourism, just like the adapted visitor center building!
This looks like an unforgettable trip for sure! Do you live in New Zealand? I bet these places are super popular among the tourists? It would be amazing to visit one day and I’ve seen photos from New Zealand and it looks amazing.
DO you happen to know if any scene or feature for Lord of the Rings has been filmed there?