As a traveller planning to land in New Zealand, Hobitton is one of the must-see destinations in the country.
It is known worldwide and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. No matter the season, Hobitton is always an excellent place to visit!
In this guide, I will explain how to get there (from Auckland), what you can expect while driving to Hobitton and what you will find there. Followed by nearby destinations, like Rotorua, Tauranga, Mount Manganui and Lake Taupo.
1. Auckland: The Starting Point
The adventure commences in Auckland, the biggest city in New Zealand. Where the international airport is located, so most of the visitors are departing from this small but busy city.
As a tourist, you have multiple options to get to Hobitton: you can rent a car or campervan or pick a travel operator.
The Hobitton website has packages to book the entire experience. However, more tour operators like Viator or BookMe offer, if different, a similar experience.
The distance from Auckland to Hobbiton is about 168 km and usually takes 2 to 2.5 hours, so it’s an ideal choice if you plan a day trip while you are staying in Auckland.
It is also an excellent stop if you keep going down the North Island to visit nearby places or on your way to Wellington.
2. On the Way to Matamata
As you leave Auckland behind, you will start seeing a more green scenario; just 30 minutes after our departure, the scenic vistas change dramatically, from busy to all green with little traffic around.
Sometimes, the motorway can get busy as only one is going to Hamilton, but just during peak times, as we should leave in the morning, this should be fine.
Other ways of transportation can be by train, but it will stop in Hamilton, so you will need to find your way to Matamata by different means; it is also popular to share a car with other tourists; many backpackers are always looking for rides or sharing their vehicle to go to Hobbiton.
There are no platforms in New Zealand for this means, but it is quite common to see requests in many backpacker Facebook groups.
3. Arriving to Hobitton
Once you get to Hobitton, you will have to wait for a tour operator to group all the people arriving at that particular time.
Since you can’t go around Hobitton by yourself, you will need to be part of a group where a guide will be with you at all times, explaining all you need to know about this iconic site.
The duration of the Tour usually takes 1.5 hours and doesn’t require physical fitness.
Regarding costs, adults pay around 120$NZD, and children pay around 60$NZD.
It is always best to check with the tour operator for up-to-date prices, as they may change depending on the season, availability, etc.
4. What you will find while doing the Tour?
The Hobbit Holes
When you get into the Tour, you will see the movie set as it looks in the film; the scenario is quite extensive with numerous “hobbit holes”; in real life, you will find them small, despite how they look in the film.
It is not a place where anyone can live, not even a hobbit, but as art pieces, they are interesting to watch; there are many different ones that are similar at the same time.
The “Mill” or Millhouse
It has a similar setup as the tavern I will explain in the following points, but it’s more of a private atmosphere for guests who want a dinner experience.
It is available for hire and can host up to 32 guests, and the minimum is 4.
Not only that, but it includes a self-contained space with a kitchen, bathroom and some basic amenities; it is famous for weddings, business meetings and group tours.
The Party Tree
This tree isn’t just a tree; it’s the centre of social life in Hobbiton.
A spot where hobbits come together for dances and feasts. The trunk is decorated with multiple lanterns, where stories are told on each celebration.
When visiting Hobbiton, you won’t find it decorated, but it will still impress you due to its size and location.
The Stone Bridge
As the name states, it is built of stones and represents hobbit architecture.
The film represents the passing of pedestrians and small carts to transport food and tools; it gives the overall Hobbiton scenery a nice touch.
The Hobitton Gardens
Maintaining the Hobbiton Gardens is a collective effort of hobbits, where they are actively involved, with regular gardening tasks to ensure they remain productive, especially during the change of seasons.
You will also find all hobbit hole houses have a small garden outside for their particular use.
Obviously, during the Tour beyond flowers, you won’t find any kind of food production.
The Hobbiton Lake
It is designed to provide constant freshwater to the hobbit community. It gives a touch of peace to the overall scene.
In real life, it helps to maintain the Hobbiton scene, all the gardening in its surroundings. You will find it clean at all times, and guides encourage visitors to keep their trash with them. Still, you can find bins in different spots while doing the Tour.
The Tavern: Green Dragon Inn
At the end of the Tour, visitors are allowed to drink something in the tavern without any rush to leave; buses are available at different times to return to Auckland if you want to stay a bit longer.
There is also a merchandising shop where you can buy almost anything related to the film the Lord of The Rings, so between the tavern and the shop you can spend a long hour between both places.
On the other side, not as a part of the typical tour, there are additional tours that include a dinner on the mill, but this should be booked as a different experience and take place more in the evening.
Remember, the everyday Hobitton experience starts in the morning, departing from Auckland, and you can expect to return in the afternoon unless you get there by car and plan to keep going to a different city or destination.
5. An Overview of Hobitton
Overall, as you can see, Hobitton is not just hobbit holes; there are more things to see on each esplanade.
Also, most people pay more attention to getting photos than what the guide is talking about, so do not worry about taking your time, but keep an eye on the group so you can stay caught up and make the rest waiting for you.
6. Best Times to Visit Hobbiton
As said previously, there is no best time to visit Hobbiton as the experience will be the same regardless of the time of the year.
The only preference will be a sunny day rather than a rainy or windy day, but still, in summer, you can get into one of these days since the weather in New Zealand can change rapidly.
7. Back on the Road: Matamata to Rotorua
Leaving the hobbit magic behind, as an alternative, you can keep your day trip to Rotorua, which is about a 50-minute drive and where you can find fantastic geothermal activity.
Actually, Rotorua is a great place to spend at least 1–2 days doing different activities, as there are plenty of things to do.
Also, the road trip is an experience; with green landscapes, driving around New Zealand is always a fantastic experience.
8. Rotorua: A Thermal Paradise
Rotorua is known for its geothermal activity and the Maori culture that prevails, as this city and its surroundings have an important Maori population.
The most interesting Maori experiences you can find in New Zealand are based in Rotorua, and if you would like to be part of one, this city is the place to achieve them.
If you are coming directly from Hobitton, you can expect to spend a 1-hour ride to get to Rotorua; it’s a short trip and a place where you can end your journey and spend the night.
Beyond Maori activities, there are plenty more you can do; the most popular are:
- Te Puia and Wai-O-Tapu (Geothermal Activities)
- Redwoods Treewalk
- Whakarewarewa Forest
- Kaituna River for Rafting
- Agrodome (farm shows)
- Blue and green lakes
If you are looking for a more relaxed experience, Rotorua offers many hot pools for those seeking tranquillity and not-so-adventurous activities.
The most recommended hot pools are:
- Polynesian Spa
- Kuirau Park
- Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park
- Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
- Rotorua Lakefront Pools
- Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
- Hamurana Springs
9. Tauranga and Mount Manganui
Tauranga and Mount Maunganui are fantastic places to visit for a beautiful escape; they are also ideal spots if you like the tranquillity of the sea, since Mount Maunganui beach has tranquil waters and plenty of activities to do in its surroundings.
It is another destination you can go from Hobitton; it is also a 1-hour drive, and you can spend at least a couple of days thoroughly enjoying this area.
For hiking lovers, there are dozens of tracks in this area, from small ones to a more extended hike that can take half a day to complete.
As a destination, I would prefer it for summer. Do a walk to the top of the mountain and enjoy the breathtaking views; this spot is famous for photography, where you are on the top with sea views of the beach and the entire coastal town.
Furthermore, you can do more activities, and there are many free ones that you can enjoy apart from hiking, such as:
- Relax at Mount Maunganui Beach
- Explore Pilot Bay
- Visit The Elms Gardens
- Enjoy a scenic walk along Tauranga Harbor
- Check out Tauranga Art Gallery (some exhibitions may be free)
- Explore nature trails in Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park
- Window shop at Eat Street
- Take a scenic drive around the area
- Picnic at Memorial Park
- Witness a beach sunset
- Explore local markets (some items may cost)
- Walk around a golf course for scenic views
- Watch aircraft at Classic Flyers (outside observation)
- Attend free community events or festivals
If you are looking for a more adventurous experience or on the luxury high-end, you can find some of the following:
- Skydiving
- Helicopter Tours
- Private Boat Charter
- Golf at Premier Courses
- Spa Day
- Exclusive Wine Tours
- Fishing Expedition
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Private Surf Lessons
- Exclusive Art Experiences
- Private Yoga Retreats
10. Lake Taupo
This could be a final destination for a few-day trip, starting from Auckland to Hobbiton, then stopping in Rotorua for a day, ending up in Taupo.
Depending on your time, it could be a 2 to 4-day trip where you can enjoy plenty of things to do and see. It’s time enough to discover this small city centrally located on the North Island.
Lake Taupo also has plenty of activities as it is a popular destination, less than Rotorua, but busy enough to spend at least a couple of days seeing diverse landscapes, fishing in the lake, or hiking different tracks.
It is important to mention that this lake is the biggest in New Zealand, with around 600 square kilometres.
11. Final Thoughts and Tips
It is essential and will help your budget if you plan your trip ahead, since all the activities can be booked online with different New Zealand operators; some offer significant discounts if you book in advance; even within months, you can find fantastic deals.
For activities, Viator and BookMe are recommended.
For accommodation, if you are travelling on a budget, you can use HostelWorld, Air BNB, or a Couchsurfing app.
For a more luxurious accommodation, you can find deals on Booking; there are also exclusive resorts available all around the region, not just only in the North Island; the South also has plenty of exclusive resorts where you can have unique experiences and enjoy certain types of activities in the same complex.
It is always recommended to compare different deals since prices can vary a lot depending on who and when you book.
Hope this Hobbiton and beyond guide gave you insights about the different experiences on single or multi-day trips. See you in the Long White Cloud!
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