Matamata Lodge

Experience Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Your guided tour starts with a drive through our picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Journey past the colourful Hobbit Hole™ doors that scatter the hillsides, including the iconic Bag End, home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, before arriving at Bagshot Row™ for a glimpse of the interior of a humble Hobbit’s home. Continue along the pathways past The Millhouse, across the double-arch stone bridge and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn, where you will enjoy a complimentary, exclusive beverage Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range to conclude your Middle-earth adventure.

This is a woodland park where imaginations are inspired, creative exploration encouraged and mental and physical health restored. A place for the whole family or groups of friends to enjoy together - a great destination to meet up with others. It has many layers of interest to engage a diverse range of people. A destination that contributes significantly to the region by attracting national and international visitors and that also serves the local community and Waikato businesses as an outstanding venue for meetings, promotions, and staff training. A rehabilitated quarry site where care of the environment is a core driver.

Combine a luxury transfer from Auckland to Rotorua with a visit to 2 world-famous attractions in New Zealand: Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Hobbiton Movie Set. At Waitomo, experience the underground wonderland that is Waitomo Glowworm Caves with thousands of Glowworms as the major attraction. We continue on to the Hobbiton Movie Set near the rural town of Matamata, made world-famous as the original setting of Sir Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies. On the 2 ½ hour tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, get astonishing insights into how these movies were made and which parts of the movies were filmed here. Then continue to Rotorua for drop-off.

Carved out of a hillside, this 42 acre former hard rock quarry has been transformed into a magnificent park with collections of trees and shrubs from around the world. The dramatic landscape provides the setting for the more than 70 sculptures on display - the park is the most extensive outdoor sculpture gallery in New Zealand. Featuring three new curated exhibitions per year, the park is open every day of the year. All weather walking tracks (sturdy shoes recommended) and ample parking; most sections accessible by wheelchair. The self-guided tour of at least 2km, provides a full-on sensory experience.

Experience Hobbiton™ Movie Set as you have never seen it before with a guided tour through The Shire™ at dusk. Your tour guide will escort you through the 12 acre site, recounting fascinating stories and anecdotes about the trilogies. The tour concludes at The Green Dragon™ Inn with a complimentary beverage from our exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range. Enter the Green Dragon dining room where the tables will be heaving with traditional Hobbit fare and, as is the tradition in the Shire, second helpings are encouraged. To conclude this premium experience, guests will re-join their guide to make their way back through the wandering paths of the Shire.

On this best-selling private tour, you have the unique opportunity to experience one world-famous visitor attraction on a personally guided one-day tour. On the way to Hobbiton we pass through the beautiful countryside of the Waikato and King Country. Our experienced guides will tell you about New Zealand and the amazing places you’ll see along the 2.5hr journey from Auckland to Hobbiton. As we drive southwards, we show you the sacred Taupiri Mountain as well as Ngaruawahia, the site of the famous Turangawaewae Marae (Maori meeting place) and seat of New Zealand's Maori King. We continue on to the Hobbiton Movie Set near the rural town of Matamata. Now you can see the Hobbiton Movie Set during a 2.5 hour GROUP tour. Drop-off in Rotorua.