Is It Worth It to Visit Hobbiton?

Thinking about visiting Hobbiton during your New Zealand adventure? You’re not alone! This iconic movie set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies has become a major tourist attraction.

Note: I visited Hobbiton in May 2024. While I will strive to keep this post as up-to-date as possible, I recommend you visit the official website for the most current information about tours and prices.

Small round green door in a hillside at Hobbiton movie set attraction. — *Bilbo Baggins’ home in Hobbiton, Bag End. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.*

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For most visitors, especially fans of Middle-earth, a trip to Hobbiton is absolutely worth it despite the cost. You’ll step into the enchanting world of hobbits, wandering through the green Shire, and exploring adorable hobbit holes.

The attention to detail is amazing, from the colorful round doors to the perfectly manicured gardens.

Keep in mind that tickets aren’t cheap. As of November 2024, they are priced at NZ$120 (about US$71) per adult. But for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to immerse yourself in movie magic, many travelers find the splurge well worth it.

You’ll leave with unforgettable memories and plenty of photos to make your friends back home jealous.

The Hobbiton tour experience

It’s no exaggeration to say that you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight into the Shire. As you wander through the village, you’ll encounter 44 meticulously crafted hobbit holes. Each one is unique, with its own special touches.

The attention to detail in Hobbiton is truly unbelievable. You’ll spot tiny hobbit-sized clothes hanging on washing lines and miniature wheelbarrows in the gardens.

Your tour guide will share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about the filming of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies. You’ll learn how this working sheep farm was transformed into a movie set.

Don’t miss the chance to snap a photo in front of Bag End, Bilbo’s famous home.

The tour culminates at the Green Dragon Inn, where you can enjoy a complimentary drink. Sip on a specially brewed ale or ginger beer while soaking in the cozy atmosphere.

Gardens and small hillside homes with round doors in a rolling green countryside. — *Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.*

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Bagshot Row

Tours now include the truly wonderful experience of getting to enter a fully realized (and I mean FULLY) Hobbit hole on Bagshot Row.

You’ll get about 15 minutes to wander through the meticulously crafted rooms like the living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and more.

It’s one of those things that you really have to experience for yourself to understand how remarkable it is. One of the best things about it is that it’s fully immersive. Don’t treat it like a museum. You can explore and touch things. I even sat on the bed!

Small hobbit home with a yellow door in a low hillside. A sign in the foreground points to Bagshot Row and Green Dragon. — *Bagshot Row takes into a fully built out and decorated hobbit hole. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.*

Planning your visit to Hobbiton

Visiting Hobbiton requires some preparation to make the most of your experience. Here’s what you need to know about timing, tour options, and booking your adventure.

You should plan to book your tour in advance as they can sell out, and you don’t want to be disappointed. There’s no penalty for booking in advance. You can cancel for a full refund as long as it’s more than 24 hours before your scheduled tour.

You can also change your booking if you need to. After I had booked our tour, we decided to change the date we wanted to visit Hobbiton, and the staff there were very responsive over email and changed our booking to the new date easily.

Two people peeking from behind a round red door in a hobbit hole in New Zealand's Hobbiton movie set. — *Our tour guide took the time to make sure everyone got the photos they wanted.*

Tour Options

Hobbiton offers several tour options. The standard Hobbiton Movie Set Tour lasts about two and a half hours and takes you through the movie set with a knowledgeable guide. You’ll see Hobbit holes, Bagshot Row, and the Green Dragon Inn.

Other tour options include the Second Breakfast Tour, private tours, a new Behind the Scenes Tour, and the Evening Banquet Tour. There’s even a tour that provides transportation from the nearby town of Matamata.

We opted for the tour with lunch in the party tent (the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour + Lunch Combo). This may sound a little crazy, but it was one of our favorite meals in New Zealand. Now we did go in with pretty low expectations, but the food was quite delicious in our opinion. And there were PLENTY of vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Buffet line decorated to look like a hobbit party from the Lord of the Rings movies. — *Lunch in the party tent was a highlight of the tour + lunch combo. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.*

What to expect and important things to know

Plan to arrive at The Shire’s Rest at least 30 minutes before your tour departure time to check in at the ticketing office.
If you arrive waaay early (like we did) you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a flat white or a little treat in the cafe before your tour bus departs.
You’ll have about a 10-minute bus ride from The Shire’s Rest to the actual movie set. During the bus ride we watched a short video about the set and the farm where the set is located. Of course, you take a bus back to the Shire’s Rest also after your tour.
Your tour guide will give you AMPLE opportunities for photos and is happy to take photos for you.
There is a lot of standing and walking during the 90-minute tour, so please wear comfortable shoes.
Tours go on as planned in all weather, so make sure you check the forecast and dress accordingly.
You’ll get to spend about 20 minutes at The Green Dragon Inn. It was nice to enjoy a beverage and sit for a bit. Your beverage is included in the tour price.
Access to the movie set is by guided tour only. There is no self-guided option for exploring Hobbiton.
If you don’t book a tour that includes a meal, the Shire’s Rest Cafe has a lot of great food options including for those with gluten restrictions.
There is a gift shop in The Shire’s Rest that offers some good souvenirs.

TIP: Keep track of all of your important travel details with a digital travel planner like this.

Wood and corrugated metal building. Signage points out entrances to the ticketing office and a cafe. Stairs lead up to a second level with an outdoor seating area. A man with white hair leans against the second-level railing. — *Hubby enjoys the view of the countryside around the Shire’s Rest. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.*

Flat white coffee drink in a brown cup with a matching saucer on a wood table. Next to the flat white are a map and brochure from the Hobbiton movie set attraction. — *The Shire’s Rest Cafe makes a good flat white. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.*

Where to stay

Unfortunately, there are no hotel accommodations within the Hobbiton movie set. Wouldn’t that be a dream come true?!

The nearest town to the movie set is Matamata. You may find more accommodation options in Hamilton, which is the largest city in the Waikato Region. Hamilton is about a 45 – 60 minute drive from Hobbiton, and it’s a popular home base for day trips in the area.

During our visit to New Zealand, we stayed in Rotorua at Silver Fern and drove to Hobbiton from there. Aura Accommodation is also a highly rated and affordable option worth looking into.

The bottom line

Spending a day in Hobbiton is a must for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit fans. You’ll step into the magical world of Middle-earth and experience the Shire firsthand.

The tour isn’t cheap. But for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s worth considering.

The meticulously crafted set will transport you to Tolkien’s universe. You’ll be stunned by the attention to detail at each hobbit hole and garden.

Keep in mind that tours can be crowded, especially during peak season. Book in advance to secure your preferred date and tour time.