Hobbiton Movie Set Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Hobbiton Movie Set. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest

• Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl Lunch

• Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland

• Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland

• Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch

Admission to the Hobbiton Movie Set costs NZ$130 for adults, and NZ$65 for youth ages 11–16. There’s no cost for children ages 10 and younger to visit—but their free tickets must be booked in advance. Guided tours of Hobbiton start at around US$74.

Yes, the Hobbiton Movie Set is worth visiting—especially for Lord of the Rings fans. There's plenty to explore beyond its 44 hobbit holes. Travelers can stop by the Green Dragon Inn for locally brewed beer and Middle-earth-inspired meals, or get a glimpse of daily Shire life at Bagshot Row.

Per one customer who booked the Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest, "It was magical to be on the set and see the full scale Hobbiton. Sam was an excellent guide and might give Andy Serkis a run for his money with the impression he did of Gollum.  Finished off the tour with an adult beverage at the Green Dragon. Super, highly recommended if you are in New Zealand!"

Standard walking tours of the Hobbiton Movie Set take just over two hours, including transportation time. While most of the tour involves walking, you will have a chance to siti and grab a drink at the famous Green Dragon Inn. Both the Behind the Scenes Tour and the Evening Banquet Tour take four hours. And both the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Lunch Combo and the Second Breakfast Tour take 3.5 hours.

The Hobbiton Movie Set is enjoyable year-round, and the tours operate in all weather (except during extreme conditions). Summer is generally the sunniest and driest time to visit, but this is when the attraction is busiest. While Hobbiton celebrates Christmas by decorating a tree and hosting a special feast in late December, it’s closed on Christmas Day.

No, you can’t stay overnight at the Hobbiton Movie Set. However, there are accommodation options in nearby Matamata and throughout the Waikato countryside. While you won’t find major hotel chains or five-star properties in these parts, you’ll find plenty of cozy B&Bs, casual lodges, and no-frills motels. If you’re camping, the area also has a few RV parks and campgrounds.

Yes, parts of The Lord of the Rings movies and the Hobbit Trilogies were filmed at the Hobbiton Movie Set. Filming took place at more than 150 sites across the North and South Islands, and Hobbiton was one of these sites. According to Hobbiton’s website, “When location scouts found the Alexanders' spectacular 1250 acre sheep and beef farm just outside of Matamata, it was clear this would be the perfect setting for Sir Peter Jackson's adaptation of these classic works by J.R.R. Tolkien.”

Tours of Hobbiton include a 10-minute bus ride through the family farm and a 90-minute guided walking tour of the village. Here, you’ll tour the film set and visit the Green Dragon Inn for a complimentary drink. Choose from traditional ales or non-alcoholic soft drinks. You’ll also see views of the landscape, many Hobbit Holes, and the Mill. If you choose to book a tour that comes with a meal, you’ll dine in the Party Marquee or the Green Dragon Inn.

Yes, booking a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set in advance is strongly recommended as they sell out. Outside of the peak summer season, you may be able to turn up at The Shire’s Rest in Matamata and book a tour, but this can’t be guaranteed. If you want to avoid crowds, book the Evening Banquet Tour. All of the other tours will have left for the day, so you’ll feel like the only people on the property.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in the North Island:

• Waitomo Caves

• Auckland Harbour Bridge

• Te Puia

• Government Gardens Rotorua

• Mt. Victoria Lookout

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in the North Island.