Experience the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, the bucolic setting for The Shire that featured in the Peter Jackson directed films, The Lord of the Rings.

Your tour starts with a drive through the picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Your guide will escort you through the ten acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created.

The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth.

Upon completion of your tour of the set you will return to The Shires Rest to enjoy the Sheep Farm Experience.

Tours depart from the Shire’s Rest (501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, Matamata). Free courtesy transport departs frequently from the Matamata Information Centre / i-SITE (45 Broadway, Matamata).

Tour Duration from The Shire’s Rest 1 hour 45 minutes.
9.50am, 11.05am, 12:20pm, 1:35pm, 2:50pm 7 days a week (closed 25 December).

Extended Summer tours:
4:05pm (20 August until 20 May) and 5:20pm (27 Dec to 29 Feb)