Guided Tour Ticket Only
Hobbiton Movie Set: Guided Tour Ticket
Ticket-only guided tour from NZ$73, rated 4.9 from 8,930 reviews; arrange your own transport.
From$73Check availability
The Short Answer
Hobbiton Movie Set is the permanent film set built for The Hobbit films on a working sheep and beef farm near Matamata, New Zealand. It is only accessible on a guided tour, departing from The Shire's Rest. The Signature Tour costs NZ$130 per adult and lasts about 2.5 hours, ending with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
Hobbiton Movie Set sits on the Alexander family's 1,250-acre sheep and beef farm in the Waikato region, roughly 10 km southwest of Matamata. Originally built in 1999 for The Lord of the Rings, the set was rebuilt in 2010 for The Hobbit films, this time with 44 permanent hobbit holes across 12 acres of rolling pasture. It is the only permanent set remaining from either trilogy.
Visitors cannot wander freely. Every visit is a guided walking tour with timed entry, which keeps the lanes and gardens looking photographed and orderly. The standard Signature Tour covers the set's highlights, includes access to some hobbit hole interiors on Bagshot Row, and finishes with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Tours run daily and in all weather, so pack for the conditions.
Compare The Tours
The tours below differ mainly in where they start and what they bundle in. Options depart from Matamata itself, Auckland (with or without lunch, small groups, or early access), and Tauranga for cruise passengers, plus a combo that pairs Hobbiton with the Waitomo Caves. Choosing comes down to transport needs, group size, and extras.
Walking Tour From Shire's Rest
Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest
Starts at The Shire's Rest itself, ideal for self-drivers; rated 4.8 from 4,029 reviews.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
Hobbiton And Waitomo Combo
Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch
Pairs the movie set with the Waitomo Caves and lunch in one long day from Auckland.
From$205Check availability
Tauranga Shore Excursion, 6 Hours
Hobbiton Movie Set Shore Excursion from Tauranga (6 Hours)
Six-hour excursion from Tauranga designed around cruise ship arrivals and departures.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
Auckland Day Trip With Lunch
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with lunch from Auckland
Round-trip Auckland transport with lunch included, removing all planning from the day.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
Tour Departing Tauranga
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour - Departs Tauranga
Tauranga departure for Bay of Plenty visitors not tied to a cruise schedule.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
Early Access Signature Tour
Hobbiton Movie Set Signature Tour Early Access (Avoid the crowds)
Early access entry timed to avoid the busiest crowds on the set.
From$189Check availability
Standard Tour From Auckland
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland
Straightforward Auckland departure covering the core guided tour without extras.
From$511Check availability
Compact Auckland Departure
Hobbiton Movie Set Small Tour from Auckland
Short, efficient Auckland option for travellers who want the set and little else.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
Small-Group Tour From Auckland
Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour with Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Small-group format from Auckland with Cheeky Kiwi Travel for a more personal guide experience.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
Small Group With Marquee Lunch
Small-Group Hobbiton Tour from Auckland with Party Marquee Lunch
Small-group Auckland trip with a Party Marquee lunch on the set grounds.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
What You Will See
44 Hobbit Holes
The set's defining feature, spread across the hillside with distinct gardens, doors, and props. Several holes on Bagshot Row have accessible interiors, a change introduced so visitors can step inside rather than peer through round doors.
Bag End
The hilltop home of Bilbo and Frodo sits above the rest of the set and offers the classic view over Hobbiton. Guides pause here for photos and behind-the-scenes stories from both film trilogies.
Green Dragon Inn
Every tour ends at the Green Dragon, where a complimentary drink is included. The inn was rebuilt in permanent materials for The Hobbit and functions as a fully themed pub.
Party Tree
A large established tree beside the lake, used as the setting for Bilbo's birthday celebration in the films. It is one of the most recognisable stops on the walking route.
Bagshot Row
The lane below Bag End lined with hobbit holes, some of which can be entered on tour. Interiors give a sense of the set's construction and dressing.
Stone Trolls
Sculptures recreating the scene from The Fellowship of the Ring, located away from the main set. They feature on some tour itineraries, so check what your chosen option includes.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
All tours depart from The Shire's Rest at 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, about 10 km southwest of Matamata. Self-driving is straightforward, or you can park at the Matamata Information Centre and use a connecting transfer. Many visitors instead book a day trip with transport included, with departures available from Auckland (around two hours away), Hamilton, Rotorua, and Tauranga. Cruise passengers calling at Tauranga have dedicated shore excursion options timed to ship schedules.
Tickets, Hours And Timing
There is no general admission: the official Signature Tour costs NZ$130 per adult and NZ$65 for youth, with family passes available, and runs about 2.5 hours including the Green Dragon drink. Children aged 10 and under are free but still need a booked ticket and must be accompanied by a paying adult. Entry is timed, tours run daily and in all weather, and summer dates fill far in advance.
Booking Tips
- Book well ahead: the site recommends reserving up to 10 months in advance for summer visits.
- There is no waitlist, so cancelled plans mean rebooking from scratch.
- Children 0-10 travel free but must hold a ticket and be with a paying adult.
- Tours run in all weather, so bring layers and rain gear.
- Maximum group size varies by tour type, so compare options if crowds matter to you.
On The Map
1 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Visit Hobbiton Without A Tour?
No. Hobbiton Movie Set is only accessible on a guided tour with timed entry. There is no self-guided option and no general admission. Self-drivers still need to arrive at The Shire's Rest for a booked guided walking tour, or join a departing tour with transport included.
How Much Does It Cost?
The official Signature Tour is NZ$130 per adult and NZ$65 for youth, with family passes available. Children aged 10 and under are free but must hold a booked ticket and be accompanied by a paying adult. Third-party tours with transport from Auckland or Tauranga cost more.
How Long Does A Visit Take?
The Signature Tour lasts about 2.5 hours, including the guided walk, interiors on Bagshot Row, and a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Day trips from Auckland add roughly two hours of travel each way, and combo tours with Waitomo Caves take a full day.
How Far Ahead Should You Book?
Far ahead. The operator recommends booking up to 10 months in advance, and summer dates are heavily booked. There is no waitlist, so if you miss out there is no automatic way in. Book as soon as your New Zealand dates are fixed.
Does The Tour Run In Bad Weather?
Yes, tours run in all weather. The set is outdoors on farmland, so paths can be muddy and rain frequent in the Waikato. Bring a waterproof layer and sturdy shoes, and remember the walk covers hilly terrain between the hobbit holes.
Where Is Hobbiton Located?
On a working 1,250-acre sheep and beef farm about 10 km southwest of Matamata in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. Tours depart from The Shire's Rest at 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, and Auckland is roughly a two-hour drive away.
Hobbiton rewards planning more than spontaneity. Decide first how you will arrive: self-drive to The Shire's Rest, or a day trip from Auckland, Rotorua, or Tauranga. Then match the extras to your style, whether that is a small group, an early start, a marquee lunch, or a Waitomo Caves combo. Book early, dress for the weather, and the Green Dragon drink at the end becomes a fitting finish.
