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.

Departures from The Shire's Rest,
501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, Matamata.
(Tour Duration approximately 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)
5:20pm (27 Dec to 29 Feb)

Extra tours to Hobbiton Movie Set
From 24 Dec until 31 January 2012 we are operating additional daily tours. All our departure times are listed below but please note that only the times listed on our reservations page can be booked in advance via the internet. If you wish to take one of the other tour times please just arrive at The Shires Rest Cafe at least 15 minutes before departure time. We guarantee seats.

From The Shires Rest Cafe

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)
5:20pm (27 Dec to 31 Jan)