Hobbiton, North Island – ‘In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit…’
To say I was ‘excited’ to visit Hobbiton would be a bit of an understatement. I was ecstatic! To see a fantasyland that had permeated so much of my life (even my wedding!) in person was a dream come true! Ok, so I’m a nerd. I’ll admit it. Seriously though, I was excited, and Hobbiton did not disappoint.
Situated in the heart of Waikato on a sheep farm, the drive to reach the Shire’s Rest was simply gorgeous. The lush green pastures and rolling hills with the monumental Kamai Range as a backdrop provided for a stunning setting; I could definitely see why Peter Jackson chose this area as the location for the films. With a café in hand, we wandered the Shire’s Rest as we waited for our tour to begin. Be sure to stop by the store, as they carry an assortment of unique Lord of the Rings fan memorabilia (I definitely walked away with a few things).
A short greyhound bus ride later, and we had arrived at Hobbiton. Yay! With forty plus hobbit holes set within the hillside, the Green Dragon Inn and surrounding village, and even the party tree, it was like being transported to Middle Earth! We were lead around the 12 acre site while our guide provided some fun facts about how the movies were made, as well as other interesting Lord of the Rings trivia. The details of the set were impressive to say the least!
With multiple stops for pictures along the way (Thanks David for humoring me), we made our way up Bagshot Row where we were given the opportunity to explore inside a hobbit hole!
As the sun set over the hills, we ended our tour at the Green Dragon Inn. With our complementary South Farthing beverages (I had the Oatbarton brew which was pretty tasty) in hand, we explored the details of the Inn before settling on the front porch to enjoy the sunset over the lake. I imagine the happiness and contentment I felt in that moment was exactly how a hobbit would feel after a long day’s work!
Only 2 hours from Auckland, or, in our case, 45 minutes from Rotorua, Hobbiton is an excellent day trip for the fan and non-fan alike! The drive through the country is spectacular (I told you driving was the best way to see New Zealand!) and the tour itself is engaging and informative set within a beautiful backdrop. Take a break from reality and immerse yourself in the fantasy of Middle Earth!
