Experience the magic of Hobbiton
By Vroom Team • Reviewed 20 Jan 2026
Some call it “Middle-arth,” others, “the Shire,” but the magical Hobbiton is famously known as the home to Hobbits like Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, and Samwise Gamgee. Located in the heart of the Waikato region, and only a two-hour drive from Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau with a hire car, this sheep farm in Matamata was director Peter Jackson’s pick for bringing the setting of the Shire to life. Since being used in the productions of both the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, the Hobbiton movie set has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in New Zealand.
Once you've been to Hobbiton, you’ll understand why the Hobbits in the movies always return to the Shire in the end. Consisting of 44 unique hobbit holes, plus the double arched bridge and the renowned Green Dragon Inn, we won’t be surprised if you, too, end up returning to Hobbiton someday. Follow this VroomVroomVroom guide to every film geek's dream — also a great side trip perhaps during a campervan hire tour from Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara.
Driving durations
From Hamilton / Kirikiriroa to Hobbiton: 45 minutes
From Rotorua to Hobbiton : 45 minutes
From Tauranga to Hobbiton: One hour
From Taupō to Hobbiton: One hour 30 minutes
From Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau to Hobbiton: Two hours
The highlights of Hobbiton
Guide to Hobbiton
A must-see while in New Zealand, a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set is guaranteed to be an amazing experience, sure to charm travellers from all across the globe whether they’re fans of the movies or not.
The only way to access the Hobbiton Movie Set is by taking an official guided tour. It’s recommended to book in advance with HobbitonTours to avoid missing out on the magic of Hobbiton.
Immerse yourself in the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of The Shire as portrayed in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, and see the submerged Hobbit Holes that decorate the rolling hillsides.
Wander the twelve-acre set, and hear fascinating stories and anecdotes about the movies from your tour guide.
The tour ends at the famous Green Dragon Inn, where you can sample their exclusive, specially brewed drinks.
About the author
Vroom Team
VroomVroomVroom’s writing team brings together decades of writing expertise to share their insights into travelling around New Zealand by rental car. Let our team help you get the most out of your rental car experience.
