Hobbiton

Useful Information

F090-113 — Smial at Hobbiton. Public Domain.

Location:	Near Matamata, Waikato region, North Island. Matamata Information Centre, 45 Broadway, Matamata
Open:	All year daily 9:30, 10:45, 12, 13:15, 14:30, 15:45, 17. [2006]
Fee:	Adults NZD 50, Children (10-14) NZD 25, Children (0-9) free. [2006]
Classification:	Cave House
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Rings Scenic Tours Ltd, Matamata Information Centre, 45 Broadway, Matamata, Tel: +64-7-888-6838, Fax: +64-7-888-5653. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

F090-114 — Smial at Hobbiton. Public Domain.

Of course, Hobbiton does not exist. It is a location of the fantasy book Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. What exists are the remnants of the original Hobbiton village set from Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, directed by New Zealander Peter Jackson. It is located on a private farm in the Kaimai Ranges near Matamata. The rolling green hills of the farmland reminded so much the landscape of the Shire, as described in the book.

The farm, producing sheep and and cattle, is still working, and most of the set has been removed after the filming. But 17 of the original 37 smials remain on the property. Most important is of course Bag End, the famed smial of Bilbo Baggins and Frodo. And there is the Party Tree, the remnants of the old oak tree.