Experience the Charm of a Real-Life Hobbit Hole in New Zealand
Now you can explore the enchanting Hobbiton Movie Set in Waikato, New Zealand! Delight in the magical realm of Lord of the Rings as you venture into the long-awaited Hobbit Holes that were previously inaccessible An ultimate haven for fans, this experience is an absolute must-visit!
For many fans of "Lord of the Rings," the vast and beautiful landscapes of New Zealand are closely associated with the fictional land of Middleâearth. Even though J.R.R. Tolkien's home of the Hobbits only exists in his imagination and is off-limits to tourists, the Hobbiton Movie Set offers a great alternative experience.
Formerly a sheep farm in the Waikato region, this unassuming location gained notoriety in 1998 when "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson visited, putting it on the movie map. The farm, located two hours south of Auckland on the North Island, served as the backdrop for the original "Lord of the Rings" movies and the subsequent Hobbit trilogy.
Since 2002, the Hobbit sets, which mostly consist of facades integrated into landscaped hillsides, have been open to tourists. However, up until recently, most of the Hobbit Holes were off-limits to visitors.
The Hobbiton Movie Set formed the backdrop to the "Lord of the Rings" movies and the subsequent Hobbit trilogy and is now a tourist attraction.
Shaun Jeffers presents two newly opened Hobbit Holes, fully decorated and open to the public for the first time. The interiors have been expertly recreated by the talented illustrators and designers from the movies, capturing the cozy and welcoming spirit of a hobbit's home.
Director Peter Jackson expressed his joy at the opening of the Hobbit Holes to visitors, stating that Hobbiton remains his favorite "Lord of the Rings" movie location. "When you're at Hobbiton, there's a sense of curiosity and a desire to venture beyond the door, which has remained closed until now," he said. "The team has done a fantastic job bringing the experience to life. It looks like it's been lifted straight out of the pages of [â¦] Tolkien's book."
Peeking inside
The Hobbit Holes have been decorated in detail by experts who worked on the original films.
Shaun Jeffers
Visitors can now explore the Hobbit Holes as part of the Hobbiton tour, with two uniquely designed options to choose from. Each hole features a labyrinth of fully themed rooms, including an entry hall, bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, dining room, pantry, and parlor. The authentic detail is sure to please "Lord of the Rings" fans, who are encouraged to take their time exploring each space, though taller guests may need to crouch a bit.
The Hobbiton movie set tour costs $120 NZ (around $74 USD) for adults and $60 NZ (around $37 USD) for children aged 17 and under.
The couple who travel the world recreating movie scenes
LOTR and New Zealand
If you're considering a Lord of the Rings-themed journey to New Zealand, there are numerous other places to explore after you've completed your visit to Hobbiton. The New Zealand tourism board proudly proclaims that filming occurred in more than 150 spots throughout the country's North and South Islands.
Highlights on the North Island include the Tongariro Alpine Crossing - a challenging day hike that offers stunning views of Mount Ngauruhoe (also known as Mount Doom). Visitors can also experience skiing on Mount Ruapehu, which served as the backdrop for Mount Doom and Mordor in the movies.
New Zealand's Mount Ngauruhoe which doubled up as Mount Doom in the "Lord of the Rings" movies.
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Conor McNish-Lane, a "Lord of the Rings" enthusiast from the UK in his early 30s, fondly reminisces about his teenage trip to New Zealand. He expressed his admiration for how the country wholeheartedly embraced what many consider to be the greatest movie trilogy in film history.
McNish-Lane was delighted to visit recognizable "Lord of the Rings" locations, with a highlight being a day spent at Mount Sunday near the Rangitata River in Hakatere Conservation Park in southern New Zealand, which doubled as the Home of Edoras.
"It was an amazing walk in a secluded area around the Home of Edoras - Rohan's capital city - where in the movies, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf meet with King Théoden," McNish-Lane reminisced.
No permanent buildings were left on Mount Sunday, as they were only temporary sets for the movies. However, a plaque commemorates the filming location, and visitors can truly feel the incredible atmosphere and understand why it was chosen.
Conor McNish-Lane, "Lord of the Rings" fan
From Mount Sunday, hikers can also admire Dry Creek Quarry, the site used as Helms Deep.
"LOTR fans are aware that the people of Rohan embark on a challenging journey to Helms Deep, setting the stage for the epic battle in The Two Towers," McNish-Lane explained. "What some may not realize is that the site of Helms Deep, a temporary structure on the side of a nearby mountain, is easily visible from Mount Sunday due to their close proximity."
McNish-Lane's previous trip to Hobbiton was unsuccessful, but the news of the site's expansion and the opening of the Hobbit Holes has him dreaming about future adventures. "I live in London and I'm 32 now, so it's been a long time since I was in NZ," he said. "Of all the movie sets in the world, reading about Hobbiton makes me want to hop on a plane and take that long journey back to Middle-earth."
CNNs Thomas Page contributed to this article
