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.

Combine a luxury transfer from Rotorua to Auckland with a visit to 2 world-famous attractions. After pick-up in Rotorua, we drive across the Mamaku Plateau to the Hobbiton Movie Set, made world-famous as the original setting of Sir Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies. On the 2.5 hour Group tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, get astonishing insights into how these movies were made and which parts of the movies were filmed here. We then continue on to Waitomo Caves, in the Waikato region, taking in the special region as we drive through the beautiful countryside of New Zealand’s North Island. At Waitomo, experience the underground wonderland that is Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a Group tour.

Join our small group tour from Auckland for a fully guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Your guided walking tour around the 44 Hobbit holes includes the chance to explore the inside of a Hobbit hole. Stand by the gate to Bilbo's house and enjoy views of the whole set looking over the Party Tree to the Green Dragon Inn. After a delicious lunch in the Party Marquee at Hobbiton we continue on to Waitomo Caves for a guided walk through the limestone caves. This is followed by the iconic boat ride to glide along through the world famous glowworm grotto. (Boat ride subject to water levels).

Our small group tour to Hobbiton starts by going South from Auckland, your guide will give you commentary with information about the areas you are traveling through and insights to the background to the movies. On arrival at Hobbiton we get a specialist Hobbiton guide to take you on your walking tour of the Hobbiton movie set. This location is the only part of the set remaining in New Zealand. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. You can take a photo at the gate to Bilbo’s house “Bag End” & explore inside a Hobbit home with the new interactive experience. After a visit to the Green Dragon Inn where you can enjoy a free drink the tour includes a sumptuous lunch fit for a Hobbit in the Party Marquee.

The Matamata isite Visitor Centre is part of New Zealand's official nationwide Visitor Information Network. Centrally located in the busy rural Waikato town of Matamata and nestled at the base of the scenic Kaimai Ranges our isite staff are local experts and can assist you with all your enquiries. As well as being a departure point for the Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Matamata offers a wide range of walking and tramping options, golf courses, and an extensive selection of cafes & accommodation.

Enjoy some of New Zealand’s most beautiful scenery and combine a luxury transfer from Rotorua to Auckland with a visit to the world-famous Hobbiton Movie Set along the way to Auckland. After pick-up in Rotorua, we drive across the Mamaku Plateau to the Hobbiton Movie Set near the rural town of Matamata, made famous as the original setting of Sir Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. On the 2.5 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. Not only movie fans will enjoy this unique experience with inside views of the Hobbit village including Hobbit Holes, Bag End and The Green Dragon Inn.