46. A Visit to Hobbiton, October 2024

The Adventures of SV JAN,

Just a two-hour drive south of Auckland, in Matamata, the Hobbiton Movie Set is the perfect place to experience Middle-earth and imagine the Hobbits going about their daily life. We set out to do just that—and were not disappointed! 

Before our trip, we refreshed our memories by watching both The Hobbit film trilogy and The Lord of the Rings film trilogy back-to-back. Even if films of fantasy adventure are not our ideal genre, seeing the films again made us realize that we couldn’t leave New Zealand without paying a visit to Hobbiton.  

The Alexander Family Farm is a lovely setting.

In 1998, Sir Peter Jackson, the Kiwi director, writer, and filmmaker began searching New Zealand for sites to film the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings were written by the English writer J.R.R. Tolkien, but realized on the screen by Jackson. His team of location scouts found the perfect piece of land when an aerial search led them to the Alexander Family farm, a 1,250 sheep farm nestled in the beautiful rolling hills and lush green pastures of the Waikato region of New Zealand. It was very similar to The Shire and would become the perfect place for Hobbiton.

Looking at Hobbiton in the distance.

The New Zealand Army brought in heavy equipment to make a road into the site. Further work included building the facades for 37 Hobbit holes, gardens, a mill and double arched bridge. Guided tours of the site began in 2002. The set was rebuilt in 2010 with stronger, more permanent materials. There are now more than 44 Hobbit holes to view. Everything was so well done—down to the finest detail.

A map of Hobbiton.
This Hobbit house in Bag End has lovely potted flowers and herbs.
The Garden is well tended with many vegetables.

More Hobbit Houses

Down to the Finest Details

Around the Town

The Frog Pond even has real frogs.
The Party Field with the Party Tree is a festive place.
Looking down on The Party Tree and Party Field from above.
The Millhouse and the double arched bridge were built for the original set.
Looking across the water to the Green Dragon Inn and the Millhouse.
Bilbo Baggin’s house is up the steps on the left.
Samwise Gamgee’s house is on the right with the yellow door.
Another view across the water of the Green Dragon Inn, and the beautiful lush hills with grazing sheep in the background.

While the Hobbits are away… the visitors play!

Inside the Green Dragon Inn: “Fancy a pint?”

It’s time to sit down and have a good ale on tap at the Green Dragon Inn!
Today, the surrounding Alexander Farm remains a livestock ranch with 13,000 sheep and 300 Angus cattle. 

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Published by The Adventures of SV JAN

We are two circumnavigating sailors who are grateful and passionate for the opportunity to visit this fascinating world. Our "home away from home" is a Hallberg Rassy 48 MK II, a fantastic bluewater sailboat.

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