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Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Review (Ultimate Guide)

I have seen some pretty cool movie set tours like the Harry Potter Warner Bros. studio tour in London and the Hobbiton Movie Set tour ranks up there with the best. In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. I will cover things like ticket prices and tours and also give you a detailed review of what the experience is like.

Table of Contents

What is the Hobbiton Movie Set?

The Hobbiton Movie Set is a hilly farmland in Waikato, New Zealand where scenes featuring “Hobbiton” of the Shire were filmed for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and The Hobbit film series. The site now offers several different tours and experiences that allow fans to enjoy the movie set in memorable ways, such as guided tours and festive banquets.

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Booking the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Below I will go into the details for all of the prices for the different tours .

One thing I will say right off the bat is that you need to book your tickets as soon as possible because the spots will fill up very quickly. This is especially true if you want to do one of the special tours that involve a lunch or banquet. This is not an attraction that you want to wait until the last minute to book!

There are four main different tours that you can choose from. Note that the prices will be increasing for all of the tours as of April 2020.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

This is the main tour that most people will do. It takes you through the major sites like the Hobbit Holes and Green Dragon Inn and takes about two hours (I’ll go into detail on this tour below). 

You can choose to be picked up from three different locations:

  • The Shire’s Rest (the tour’s main location)
  • Matamata i-SITE
  • The Hobbiton™ Movie Set Shop, 1235 Fenton St, Rotorua (more expensive)

The tours from The Shire’s Rest depart every 10 minutes so there are many of these tours every single day. When you go to book a tour you will have a selection of different time slots to choose from and you should see if there are limited spaces for certain slots.

Daily Hobbiton Movie Set Tour list and times

Here are the prices for the tour: 

(All prices below are in New Zealand dollars. For your reference, you can click on a price below and see the US dollar equivalent. 84 New Zealand dollars is ~$55 USD as of 12/19.)

  • Adult (17 years and over): $84.00 , $89.00 from 1 April 2020
  • Youth (9-16 years): $42.00 , $44.00 from 1 April 2020 
  • Child (0-8 years): Children are FREE but must have ticket allocated prior to arrival and be accompanied by a full paying adult.
  • Tours depart daily from 9am until 3.30pm.

If you are going to be late for your tour I suggest that you contact them immediately. They will work with you to try to get you into the soonest tour but keep in mind that if other tours are all sold out they might not be able to get you in that day.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour + Lunch

This is the tour that I wish I would have done. If you want to make your tour experience a little bit more memorable without paying a whole lot of extra money, I think this tour option is perfect. There are only three timeslots though and these tours need to be booked very far in advance to secure your preferred time slot.

Here are the prices:

  • Adult (17 years and over): $120.00 , $125.00 from 1 April 2020
  • Youth (9-16 years): $78.00 , $80.00 from 1 April 2020 
  • 10.05am departure begins with tour followed by lunch at 11.35am
  • 12.05pm departure begins with tour followed by lunch at 1.35pm
  • 1.25pm departure begins with lunch followed by tour at 2.25pm

Hobbiton Movie Set Evening Banquet Tours

The Hobbiton Movie Set Evening Banquet Tour is probably the coolest way to explore the Shire because it is a tour that takes place at dusk. Also, you get to enjoy the banquet at the Green Dragon which is a unique experience.

I think I would enjoy this tour but there is something special about visiting the Shire during the daytime when the sun is out shining brightly and this tour may not offer you that same type of experience.  

  • Adult (17 years and over): $195.00 , $199.00 from 1 April 2020
  • Youth (9-16 years): $152.50 , $162.00 from 1 April 2020 
  • Child (5-8 years): $100 , $104.00 from 1 April 2020. Children must be accompanied by a full paying adult- Must also have a ticket allocated. 
  • Infant (0-4 years):  Infants must be accompanied by a full paying adult- Must also have a ticket allocated.

Private Tour

The private tour is very expensive but it is probably the best option for the diehard fans and I will explain why below.

  • Private tour (up to 4 people): $750.00
  • Additional Adult (17yrs+): $84.00
  • Additional Youth (9-16yrs): $42.00
  • Additional Child (0-8yrs): Free with full paying adult

Please note: From 1 April 2020 Private Tour departures will be $1,000.00 for maximum six adults or equivalent.

Tour packages

Because the movie set tour is a couple of hours away from Auckland, New Zealand and semi-close to other attractions, a lot of people like to package together tours and spend an entire day hitting up multiple spots.

This can be an efficient use of both time and money so it is definitely something to consider. One of the popular tourist packages you can do is what is known as the trilogy and it offers the following tours:

  • 45 minute Tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Waitomo
  • 2 hour tour of Ruakuri Cave, Waitomo
  • 2 hour Tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata
  • 4.5 hours exclusive guided tour of Te Puia; Maori welcome ceremony and cultural performance & Māori Feast (traditional indigenous dinner), Rotorua

The Trilogy Package Prices

  • Family $924 (2 adults and 2 children; extra child add $171)

Don’t forget — watch the movies!

Once you book your tickets, I recommend that you re-watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy and also the Hobbit movies so that everything is fresh on your mind. And obviously if you have not seen the movies, you need to get on that ASAP!

Getting to the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Here is the address of the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour:

501 Buckland Road, Matamata 3472, New Zealand

Below are the approximate time frames it will take you to get to the movie set from major destinations:

  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves: 1 hour, 15 minutes
  • Auckland, New Zealand: 2 hours
  • Wellington, New Zealand: 6 hours

We stayed at the Hilton Auckland Hotel and so we were about a two hour drive away from the movie set, which we made in a rental car. 

The drive to the movie set from Auckland was very beautiful!

You will pass through many rolling green hills and beautiful farm landscapes. It reminded me a lot of driving through California when all of the hills are nice and green and full life.

Driving in New Zealand

Your GPS will probably take you right to the location but you will also notice several signs pointing you in the right direction as you approach the movie set. If you don’t want to drive there, you can look into getting transferred there.

Also, there are farm stays in the local area so you could stay in something like a B&B for a night and enjoy a nice complimentary dinner and breakfast. 

Hobbiton Movie Set Tourist Farm sign

Arriving at the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

There are pretty large parking lots at the Hobbiton Movie Set so you shouldn’t have an issue finding a parking spot when you arrive. 

Parking lot at Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

The first thing that you need to do when you arrive is to snap a photo of you underneath the Hobbiton Movie Set sign. It is a picture perfect sign and there is a little walkway that will take you right to the sign. 

Man standing under Hobbiton movie set sign

The Shire’s Rest

When you arrive, you will need to check in to receive your tickets if you booked online and you will want to head to The Shire’s Rest to do this. Simply follow the signs to the Shires Rest Ticketing Centre where you can get that done. When we arrived, there was only a short line to deal with. Keep in mind that they request you to check in 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time.

Ticketing area Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

If you have arrived early then you might want to spend some time at the nearby Shire’s Rest Cafe or Garden Bar. The Garden Bar offers a nice shady spot to grab a bite and craft beer before or after your tour and it’s perfect for summer days.

You can also order ice cream and milkshakes or thick shakes for around five to seven New Zealand dollars from the ice cream shop. If you really have a sweet tooth consider going with the Hobbit Crunch which is a fancy sundae that you will surely enjoy.

List of ice creams at Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

You can also explore the gift shop . However, a lot of visitors like to save the gift shop until the end of the tour so you might want to go that route. I will talk more about the gift shop below.

Getting ready for your tour

As the time approaches for your tour, you will want to line up where the sign indicates your tour will be taking off. I would suggest lining up about five minutes before your scheduled tour time.

Lines for Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Depending on the type of tour that you booked, you might be getting transported via a bus or a van. In our case, we did the bus tour.

Group getting on bus at Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

After lining up we boarded the bus and found our seats which were in a 2-2 lay out.

Bus at Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Once we got going, they played some special footage related to the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies and also provided us with some insightful content about the production of the movies, the 12-acres that was used for Hobbiton, and some other really cool and interesting facts.

I don’t want to give everything away but you will find out some little tidbits about the movie that you probably did not already know.

The drive through the Alexander family sheep farm over to the movie set is also an extremely scenic drive. You will wind through some beautiful rolling green pasture land dotted with sheep living a good life. 

Rolling pastures at Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

The bus ride from the arrival area to the actual movie set took a total of 15 minutes. 

Once everybody exits the bus you will meet up at the first sign and they will go over some of the information that you need to know about the tour. Basically they just told us to stay together and to not venture into any of the areas without permission.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

The way that the tour works is that you will travel as a group and your group will stop at several different Hobbit Holes throughout Hobbiton. At each stop, you will be able to check out the areas and get photos while learning some cool facts about each little site.

Group walking at Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

The biggest drawback to this tour is that they move along too efficiently.

Basically if you are in the back of the line you will feel rushed from the group behind you coming up.

It’s a very awkward experience when you are trying to get a photo and you have 30 tourists glaring at you as they impatiently wait for you to leave so that their tour guide can start showing them the site.

Therefore, if you are a true Lord of the Rings fan and you want to savor this experience, you probably want to consider a private tour. Yes, they will be much more expensive but you will be able to enjoy the sights without any pressure from the crowds.

Spoiler alert

If you don’t already know, you will find out that these little Hobbit Holes are not actually real little houses with rooms and lively corridors to explore. Some of them open up to a small area that is similar to a closet but most are just facades.

But still, it can be really fun to explore the exterior of the Hobbit Holes and the entire community.

One thing that fascinated me about the different Hobbit Holes was all of the details. Everything from the windows to the doorhandles are extremely intricate and it is really fun to explore them from up close. It really feels as if little hobbits are living inside behind those doors.

Hobbit hole at Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

It’s really cool to see some of the sights like the detailed clothes drying out on the clothes lines.

Clothes on line at Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Also the landscaping with all of the colorful flowers is pretty immaculate and a sight to see. When we visited in February, there were tons of butterflies fluttering around and it was a very magical experience.

Hobbit hole at Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Your tour guide will point out the residences of the most notable hobbits.

Bilbo Baggins home at Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

One of the coolest things to see are all of the live plants and produce that they produce on site. 

Hobbit hole at Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

You can even find batches of raw honey.

Jars of honey

I also appreciated the attention to detail in things like the “street signs.”

hobbiton tour lunch

Each time you stop at a little Hobbit Hole you should have enough time to get some photos and to pose in front of them. Like I mentioned though, this is much easier to do if you are at the front of the group because you will not feel as much pressure to move along quickly.

Man at hobbit hole Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Your tour should stop at at least one Hobbit Hole that they will allow you to step inside of and get some photos. And when I say step inside of, that literally means just taking like one step inside of the Hobbit Hole. 

Make sure you are listening to your tour guide because during our tour some of the tourists entered in one of the Hobbit Holes that was NOT meant to be entered in. This caused a little bit of commotion so just be mindful of this.

The tour will wind up and down the hillsides as you hit up the different sites. The walking required is not overly strenuous, but I would definitely bring some walking friendly shoes. 

The pathways are not wheelchair friendly but there are options for those who can’t complete all the walking.

Also, you are permitted to bring strollers on the tour but many of the pathways are cobblestone or bumpy and they also can be quite narrow so bringing a stroller can be a task.

Hobbit holes Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Green Dragon Inn

Eventually you will wind up at the tavern at the end of the tour, known as the Green Dragon Inn .

The Green Dragon Inn

According to the official Hobbiton website, “The Green Dragon Inn was the meeting place for all residents of Hobbiton, who would gather in the warm surroundings of the bar to chatter about the day’s events.” 

The Green Dragon Inn

The Green Dragon Inn is a really cool spot where you can enjoy some grub or even some drinks from the Hobbit Southfarthing range , which I believe is brewed right on location.

Here are some drinks that you might be interested in trying:

  • Girdley Fine Grain, Amber Ale
  • Sackville Cider, Apple Cider
  • Oatbarton Brew, Traditional English Ale
  • Frogmorton Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic)

Inside The Green Dragon Inn

Once you find yourself a drink, head over to the fireplace and relax in a nice comfy seat.

Inside The Green Dragon Inn

If you have also booked a lunch tour then this is where you will depart from the other group to enjoy the lunch buffet served in the Party Marquee. The Party Marquee is adjacent to The Green Dragon Inn, with the garden bar seating overlooking the Hobbiton Movie Set.

In our case, we only did the standard movie set tour so we then headed back to the gift shop. The entire tour lasted about two hours.

The gift shop

There are a lot of interesting items to purchase at the gift shop. You will find all sorts of different collectibles, books, and some decoration items like the maps of Middle Earth which I thought were pretty awesome.

Maps at Gift shop

For something like a map you would be paying about NZ$35.

They also had some awesome figurines of different characters and those were more expensive — usually ranging around NZ$100-NZ$300.

Figurines in case

Some of the items cannot be purchased at the store but they are on display and available at websites that will be shown on the display.

They also had a lot of standard gift shop items like candies and various types of sweets. You could also venture into the café and purchase sandwiches for around $6.50 and beverages like iced coffee or milk for around 3 to NZ$5.

Food at gift shop

If you wanted something more substantial you could order a meal like eggs Benedict for $16.50, second breakfast for $19.50, or a Lamb burger for around $18.

Food menu at gift shop

There are several picnic tables for you to enjoy your meal outside and on a nice day it can be an extremely pleasant experience.

Picnic tables outside gift shop

But there are also tables located indoors just in case the weather does not cooperate.

Indoor seating at gift shop

Lord of the Rings tours

If you are a fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy there are other tours that you can do that will take you to various destinations and locations used in the films. Some of these tours can be up to two weeks in length so you can live your fandom for days on end!

Here are some companies to look at:

  • Red Carpet Tours
  • Weta Studio Tours
  • Hairy Feet- Waitomo
  • Tongariro Crossing- Adrift Guided Adventures
  • Adventure Safari Ltd- Wellington
  • Hassle Free Tours- Christchurch

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Review (Ultimate Guide) FAQ

No, the tours are all guided and require visitors to be supervised. This is probably in the best interest of everyone.

Drones are not allowed during the normal tour hours. You can contact the site owners to inquire about after our drone usage but there is no guarantee they will allow it.

Yes, they will continue with tours in the rain. They will supply you with umbrellas but this is one reason why you want to bring quality closed toed shoes with you on this trip (or a poncho ).

You will likely only be allowed to step inside of one Hobbit Hole. And keep in mind there will only be a small closet-like area behind the door.

The standard movie set tour is approximately two hours and about 30 minutes of that is travel time to and from the movie set.

Yes, you can take as many photos as you would like just make sure they are not for commercial use. I brought out my professional DSLR camera and had no issues with photos.

You don’t need to bring anything special with you on this tour. But you would probably be good with a small backpack where you can hold things like sunscreen, a jacket if you don’t need to be wearing it, water bottles, etc. As mentioned above, I would consider a rain poncho if I were visiting when rain was expected.

Overall, the movie set tour is a must see destination for any fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy or the Hobbit movies. You will no doubt be floored by the amount of details in the Hobbit Holes and surrounding areas. But while I loved the tour I do think that a private tour would be much more enjoyable for a diehard fan even with the price tag of $1,000. 

hobbiton tour lunch

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

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Privacy Overview

  • Hobbiton Express Day Tour With Lunch

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hobbiton tour lunch

Hobbiton Tour from Auckland – includes lunch

This small group tour is an easy day trip from Auckland to Hobbiton movie set . The day includes a fully guided tour of the set as seen in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy. You get to explore the inside of a Hobbit Hole and we also have a sumptuous lunchtime buffet in the Party Marquee next to the Green Dragon Inn.

Our experienced guides look after you all day from pick up to drop off from your Auckland City accommodation. They include a full commentary on the way to Hobbiton with insights into the beautiful farmland areas you are travelling through and background to the movie set you are visiting. On the way down to Hobbiton there is a brief stop at a local café in case you want to buy some local baking or a coffee (or as we like to call it a ‘second breakfast’).

At Hobbiton you travel down to the movie set and have one of the specialist Hobbiton guides take you on a walking tour around the 44 Hobbit holes .

A highlight of the tour is the opportunity to go inside a Hobbit hole . This interactive part of the tour gives you the chance to explore inside a Hobbit home! For example – try out a hobbit sized bed, sit at the dining table and check out the amazing detail that has gone into this creation .

You will get to stand by the gate to Bilbo’s house ‘ Bag End ’ overlooking the Party Tree and the whole set to the hills in the distance. Before your feast in the Party Marquee (which is included in the price) you cross the bridge by the mill to go into the Green Dragon Inn where you can enjoy a complimentary ale, cider or ginger beer.

After lunch in the Party Marquee we’ll give you a $10 souvenir voucher to spend at the Hobbiton gift shop before we head back to Auckland, arriving back mid-afternoon before the traffic builds up.

Bush and Beach have been running tours from Auckland to Hobbiton movie set for over 11 years and work closely with Hobbiton to make sure you get the most out of your time at Hobbiton.

“What a treat to travel to Hobbiton with Bush and Beach! It was an easy, fun trip with some nice extra perks that the other companies don’t seem to have. ” – Trip Advisor review

If you want to go to Hobbiton AND Waitomo Caves see that tour see here

Tour Code BB7 – $375 per adult

Tour includes:.

  • Sumptuous buffet lunch in the Party Marquee
  • Explore the inside of a Hobbit home
  • Admissions and guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set
  • Ale, cider or ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn
  • Free souvenir voucher
  • Return transport with full commentary from Auckland
  • Bush and Beach guide with you for the whole day (no transport changes for your return to Auckland)
  • Early arrival on set to beat the crowds
  • Pick up and drop off from Auckland City

Operates 364 days of the year.

Child price for ages 5-14

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance –  learn more

Food and drinks at the morning and afternoon stops are at own cost

If you are traveling from Auckland to Rotorua you can visit Hobbiton on the way with our Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton tour .

If you are traveling from Rotorua to Auckland you can visit Hobbiton on the way with our Rotorua to Auckland via Hobbiton tour

Some highlights of the Hobbiton Express tour

hobbiton tour lunch

When you book on line you have the option to contribute to our  sustainability commitment  by donating $5 which will get a native tree planted on your behalf. We are working with  Trees That Count and their community-based planting projects to donate native trees to be planted in Auckland. (Bush and Beach will match your donation, which means every $5 donation from you equals a native tree planted in Auckland.)

hobbiton tour lunch

Explore Hobbiton sustainably with us

The map is for indicative purposes only.

hobbiton tour lunch

hobbiton tour lunch

Hobbiton Movie Set is open 7 days. Availability is very limited. Bookings essential.

Hobbiton™ Movie Set

Choose a Tour

  • Date Selected
  • Group size 1
  • Departing from Tour from The Shire's Rest™ From Matamata I-Site
  • Departing from Hobbiton™ Beer Festival - Saturday Hobbiton™ Beer Festival - Friday

hobbiton tour lunch

  • The Evening Banquet Tour

See the Shire by day and night with a shared tour of Hobbiton Movie Set followed by a banquet feast fit for a Hobbit™ served inside The Green Dragon™ Inn. 

hobbiton tour lunch

Experience Hobbiton™ Movie Set as you have never seen it before with a guided tour through The Shire™ at dusk. Making the most of the remaining daylight, your tour guide will escort you through the 12 acre site, recounting fascinating stories and anecdotes about the trilogies, including a visit to Bagshot Row ™ for a glimpse of the interiors of a humble Hobbit’s home. 

Designed and crafted by the renowned creative teams behind the film trilogies, Bagshot Row offers an authentic glimpse into the charming dwellings of Hobbits going about daily life in the Shire. Your guide will lead you through one of two Hobbit Holes offering time to explore the detailed interiors, with each home designed to create an identical experience. 

Continue along the pathways past The Millhouse, across the double-arch stone bridge and into the world-famous Green Dragon Inn for a complimentary beverage from our exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range . The guests will then be moved through into The Green Dragon dining room and treated to a banquet feast fit for a Hobbit. The tables will be heaving with traditional Hobbit fare and, as is the tradition in the Shire, second helpings are encouraged.

To conclude this premium Hobbiton Movie Set experience, after dinner the guests will re-join their guide to make their way back through the wandering paths of The Shire. The trails will be illuminated by path lighting and handheld lanterns will be provided amongst the guests to help light the way. This stunning journey under moonlight will travel through the village breathtakingly lit up, with Hobbit Hole™ chimneys smoking and lanterns glowing in the darkness.

Evening Banquet Tour includes

  • A fully guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set at dusk
  • Your first Hobbit Southfarthing beverage upon arrival in The Green Dragon Inn
  • A two course banquet feast served inside The Green Dragon Inn fit for a Hobbit
  • Additional drinks available to purchase throughout the night
  • A lantern-lit walk through the movie set under moonlight 

Numbers are limited, so booking is essential. Please advise any dietary requirements you may have at time of booking in the provided field. 

Please be aware this experience involves a shared family-style dining for dinner and dessert inside The Green Dragon Inn. You will be seated at a banquet table with others from your tour departure and the meal is self-service from the centre of the table. 

COVID-19:  See our COVID-19 page for information.

View our booking terms and conditions and cancellation policy here . 

NEW! Venture Beyond the Door: All tours now include exploring the interior of a Hobbit Hole on Bagshot Row.  Learn more about Bagshot Row here .

The Shire's Rest ™, 501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera, Matamata . 

Selected weekend departures available. To view available dates, please check the table below. 

4.5 hours approximately including transport to and from The Shire's Rest.

NEW! Venture Beyond the Door All tours after 1 December 2023 will include exploring the interior of a Hobbit Hole on Bagshot Row.  Learn more about Bagshot Row here . 

Please report to The Shire's Rest ticketing centre no later than 30 minutes before your tour is due to depart. This is a fully guided walking tour and sensible footwear is recommended. 

Please ensure your booking includes a ticket for everyone in your group even children 0-10 years. All guests must have ticket allocated prior to arrival to ensure we can accommodate your group.

All prices are in New Zealand Dollars.

Evening Banquet Menu

This menu is indicative only and subject to change with the seasons without notice

  • Selection of housemade breads and condiments
  • Golden roast chicken DF/GF
  • Roasted fillet of salmon DF/GF
  • Beef hotpot GF
  • Slow cooked lamb shanks on potato and garden pea mash with gravy GF
  • Cumberland sausages with tomato relish
  • Selection of roast vegetables DF/GF/VGN
  • Garlic and thyme roasted potatoes DF/GF/VGN
  • Kumara mash DF/GF/VGN
  • Garlic braised mushrooms DF/GF/VGN
  • Seasonal vegetable pie DF/VGN
  • Fresh green salad DF/GF/VGN
  • Kiwi pavlova with fresh cream and strawberry coulis GF/V
  • Bakewell tarts V
  • Sticky Date Pudding V
  • Seasonal fresh fruit DF/GF/VGN
  • Baked apple crumble DF/GF/VGN
  • Butterscotch sauce GF/V
  • Vanilla custard GF/V
  • Special dietary requirements can be catered for. Please include details at check out.
  • This menu is indicative only and subject to seasonal changes without notice

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hobbiton movie set have accommodation on site.

There is no accommodation available at Hobbiton Movie Set. 

For hotel, motel and other accommodation options in the Waikato region, visit www.waikatonz.com/accommodation   or contact a local i-SITE or visitor information centre. 

The recent Airbnb promotion was for 3 exclusive stays only to celebrate 10 years since the first Hobbit movie was released and is now fully booked. We will not be offering any accommodation or overnight stays in the future.

What happens if I am late for my tour?

If you are going to be late for your tour, we recommend you call us as soon as you are able to so we can discuss options with you. If you are unable to call us and arrive late, we will do our best to put you on the next available tour departure. Please note that if we are extremely busy, the next available tour may be several hours later, and in rare occurrences may not be on the same day.

Will my tour still operate in wet weather?

Yes, we operate in all weather conditions. Umbrellas are provided in the event of rain and we highly recommend you dress appropriately for the weather, with enclosed footwear.

In the event of extreme weather conditions we reserve the right to make alternative tour arrangements for you.

Does the Evening Banquet Tour and Second Breakfast Tour include the Movie Set Tour or do I need to book both to have the full experience?

Our Evening Banquet Tour and Second Breakfast Tour experiences both include a guided tour of the Movie Set at the beginning of the experience. This is the same tour experience guests get on our day tour. If you wish to do a tour at a different time of day as well, then you are welcome to book multiple experiences. 

What does 'No Departure' or 'Fully Booked' mean when searching for tour on your website?

When you are searching for a tour on our website, there are four statuses that may appear - No Departure, Fully Booked, Book Now - Limited Places and Book Now. 

No Departure means that the tour experience you are searching for is not available on that date. 

Fully Booked means that all tickets for that tour experience on that date are sold out. 

Book Now - Limited Places will appear with a gold button and red writing below. This means that there are only a small amount of tickets left (9 or less) for that tour experience on that date. We recommend booking as soon as possible if you are hoping to join one of these tours as when tickets are fully booked we cannot increase capacity. 

Book Now will appear with a gold button with white writing on it. This means that there are greater than 10 seats available for that tour experience on that date. We still recommend pre-booking as far in advance as you can to avoid missing the tour day and time that best suits your itinerary. 

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TEL: +64 7 888 1505

The Shire's Rest: 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera

Tours depart daily from The Shire's Rest and Matamata i-SITE

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IMAGES

  1. Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tour + Meal Combo

    hobbiton tour lunch

  2. Choose your Hobbiton™ Movie Set Experience

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  3. Second Breakfast Tour at Hobbiton Movie Set Now Available

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  4. Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

    hobbiton tour lunch

  5. 15 Best Hobbiton Tours

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  6. Hobbiton Evening Banquet Tour: Feasting and Fun in New Zealand

    hobbiton tour lunch

VIDEO

  1. Hobbiton Movie Set Tour and Lunch

  2. Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Rotorua, New Zealand

  3. Hobbiton Evening Banquet Tour || How You Can Feast Like a Hobbit Too!

  4. Hobbiton Movie Set Evening Banquet Tour

  5. Hobbiton Evening Banquet Tour and exploring Hobbiton in the dark! New Zealand travel vlog!

  6. Hobbiton New Zealand Movie Set Tour + Banquet Dinner

COMMENTS

  1. 2024's Best Hobbiton Tours

    Hobbiton Tours & Tickets are Selling Out Fast. Book Now to Avoid Disappointment. 5-Star Rated Hobbiton Tickets, Trips and Activities! Book Top Tours on Viator

  2. Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tour + Meal Combo

    Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tour + Meal Combo. Experience the magic of Hobbiton™ Movie Set with one of our daily shared tour departures from The Shire's Rest followed by a delicious buffet lunch served inside the festive Party Marquee. Join us and experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato ...

  3. Hobbiton Movie Set tour

    Experience the magic of Hobbiton™ Movie Set with one of our daily shared tour departures from The Shire's Rest. Join us and experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.

  4. Hobbiton Movie Set tour experiences

    A Hobbiton™ Christmas 2024. Friday 20 and Saturday 21 DECEMBER 2024 Come get merry with us at this one of a kind special Christmas feast…. Join us on a journey through the the shire, home of the Hobbits. Discover our fully guided tour experiences of Hobbiton™ Movie Set, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

  5. Tour with buffet lunch

    Hobbiton Movie Set: Tour with buffet lunch - See 10,696 traveler reviews, 11,113 candid photos, and great deals for Hinuera, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. Skip to main content ... Picked up the tour bus for the lunch and tour combo. Was great - despite the horrid weather. Weather so bad we had to take shelter in Hobbit house - how many can say ...

  6. Is Hobbiton Worth it?

    Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Lunch. Enjoying our drink at the Green Dragon. The next tour is a really good option for those who are coming from Auckland and want a little more an in-depth experience at Hobbiton. This small-group tour includes all of the above as well as a Hobbits lunch at the Shire's Rest Cafe.

  7. Hobbiton Tour + Lunch

    Excellent professionally done movie set tour and lunch. You start out on a bus where your guide talks to you about some of the history of Hobbiton, you watch a bit of a movie too. It's a short bus ride to the Hobbiton location- perhaps 10-15mins onboard. Once there, there are toilets at the start of the tour. And again at the end.

  8. Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour With Lunch

    Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour With Lunch is a popular day trip that has garnered a remarkable 4.9/5 overall rating based on 69 reviews. This full-day tour immerses Lord of the Rings fans and movie enthusiasts in the enchanting world of Hobbiton. Departing from central Auckland, visitors are treated to a scenic drive to the famous movie set.

  9. Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

    Hobbiton Movie Set Tour + Lunch Combo: A Hobbiton Movie Set Tour followed by a buffet lunch served inside the festive Party Marquee. Evening Banquet Tour: A fully guided walked tour at dusk with a banquet feast fit for a Hobbit served inside The Green Dragon Inn.

  10. Hobbiton Movie Set Tour From Auckland With Lunch 2024

    See the marvels of the Hobbiton movie set in one day with this exciting guided tour. Travel in a luxury coach from central Auckland and ride with ease across the Waikato plains. As well as exploring filming locations from "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" movie trilogies, this exciting adventure includes a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and a Hobbit feast in a party marquee.

  11. Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Review (Ultimate Guide)

    1.25pm departure begins with lunch followed by tour at 2.25pm; Hobbiton Movie Set Evening Banquet Tours. The Hobbiton Movie Set Evening Banquet Tour is probably the coolest way to explore the Shire because it is a tour that takes place at dusk. Also, you get to enjoy the banquet at the Green Dragon which is a unique experience.

  12. Hobbiton tour with lunch from Auckland with Bush and Beach

    Hobbiton Tour from Auckland - includes lunch. This small group tour is an easy day trip from Auckland to Hobbiton movie set. The day includes a fully guided tour of the set as seen in 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogy. You get to explore the inside of a Hobbit Hole and we also have a sumptuous lunchtime buffet in the ...

  13. Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

    Mid Winter Feast 2024. Escape the winter chill and warm up with a special feast in the Shire™ on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July 2024. All bookings $290.00. DURATION: 5 HOURS. Hobbiton Beer Festival 2024. Join us for another Hobbiton Movie Set Beer Festival on Friday 1 or Saturday 2 November 2024! All bookings $300.00. This event is strictly 18+.

  14. Hobbiton Movie Set Tour and Lunch

    Experience the magic of Middle Earth come to life in Hobbiton! Tour the movie set used in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films and walk among the rolling g...

  15. From Auckland: Waitomo & Hobbiton Bus Tour with Lunch

    Highlights. Journey by premium bus to Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves. Explore the wonders inside the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a guided tour. Step into the Hobbit holes at the Hobbiton Movie Set. Enjoy a picnic lunch in between your trip. See highlights like the Green Dragon Inn and the Party Tree.

  16. Hobbiton Movie Set Tour With Lunch From Auckland

    The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland allows visitors to explore the movie set in one day. The tour includes luxury coach transport from central Auckland and a delicious lunch in Matamata. The guided tour provides behind-the-scenes stories and is described as a truly magical experience.

  17. Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Lunch

    Tour includes return transport with full commentary from Auckland, entry and guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, a tasty lunch, and a complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn. Be picked up from your Auckland accommodation at between 6.30-7am and travel down through the Waikato region. Your guide will share insights with you about the ...

  18. The Green Dragon™ Inn

    The Green Dragon™ Inn was the meeting place for all residents of Hobbiton™, who would gather in the warm surroundings of the bar to chatter about the day's events. The quality of the ale and food was renowned throughout The Shire™. Since 2012, we have been privileged to present The Green Dragon Inn as part of our experience.

  19. Small-Group Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland with Lunch

    A visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set is a must for fans of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" films. This tour lets you venture even further into the mythical world of Middle Earth with a guided tour followed by a Hobbit-themed drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and lunch at the Green Dragon Marquee. Read more. from. $226.73.

  20. TOP 10 BEST Lunch Spots in Sunnyvale, CA

    Top 10 Best Lunch Spots in Sunnyvale, CA - April 2024 - Yelp - Urban Plates, Bloom, Ondam, DL Brazuca, DishDash, Redwood Place Cafe & Market, Meyhouse, Surmai, Burma Taste, Pacific Catch

  21. Frequently Asked Questions

    All experiences except our Private Tour are a shared group service, meaning you will be joining a larger group of other visitors while on tour with us. For our Hobbiton Movie Set Tour and Tour + Lunch Combo experiences, the maximum group size is 41. For our Evening Banquet Tour the maximum group size is 48.

  22. TOP 10 BEST Lunch Restaurants in Sunnyvale, CA

    Falafel Stop. Urban Plates. People also liked: Lunch Restaurants For Takeout, Outdoor Lunch Restaurants. Top 10 Best Lunch Restaurants in Sunnyvale, CA - April 2024 - Yelp - Meyhouse, Urban Plates, Mayan Kitchen Food, Bloom, Laughing Monk Brewing, DishDash, Fugetsu - Sunnyvale, Top Dumpling, Burma Taste, Surmai.

  23. THE 71 BEST Restaurants in Sunnyvale

    727 S Wolfe Rd, Sunnyvale. "The Gongura Paneer Biryani is an absolute revelation, bursting with a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate with each delightful bite. The harmonious blend of tangy gongura leaves and creamy paneer envelops your senses, delivering a robust, spicy experience that's truly captivating.

  24. Hobbiton Movie Set Evening Banquet Tour

    A fully guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set at dusk. Your first Hobbit Southfarthing beverage upon arrival in The Green Dragon Inn. A two course banquet feast served inside The Green Dragon Inn fit for a Hobbit. Additional drinks available to purchase throughout the night. A lantern-lit walk through the movie set under moonlight.