Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tour + Lunch Combo

Departure

Departs from The Shire's Rest
501 Buckland Road, Matamata

Tour departure dates are available a minimum of 10 months in advance to book. To view available tour departures, please use the date selector above

Times:
10.10am departure begins with tour followed by lunch at 12.10pm
11.10am departure begins with tour followed by lunch at 1.10pm
11.40am departure begins with tour followed by lunch at 1.40pm

Please report to The Shire's Rest ticketing office no later than 20 minutes before your tour is due to depart. This is a fully guided walking tour and sensible footwear is recommended.

Price

$160.00

ADULT (18+ years) valid for tour departures until 31 March 2026

$170.00

ADULT (18+ years) valid for tour departures from 01 April 2026

$100.00

YOUTH (11-17 years) valid for tour departures until 31 March 2026

$105.00

YOUTH (11-17 years) valid for tour departures from 01 April 2026

Free

CHILD/INFANT (0-10 years)

GUIDED TOUR AND BUFFET LUNCH EXPERIENCE

Join us and experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies.

Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey on a short bus ride through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will then escort you on a shared walking tour around the movie set, showing the intricate details, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how movie magic was made here.

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.

Designed and crafted by the renowned creative teams behind the film trilogies, Bagshot Row offers an authentic glimpse into the charming dwellings of Hobbits going about daily life in the Shire. Your guide will lead you through one of two Hobbit Holes offering time to explore the detailed interiors, with each home designed to create an identical experience.

Continue along the pathways past The Millhouse, across the double-arch stone bridge and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn, where you will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive beverage from our Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range before following your guide up to the Party Marquee.

The Party Marquee is adjacent to The Green Dragon™ Inn with an exquisite view across the water. The painted canvas exterior, vibrant bunting and colourful lanterns means visitors are immersed in the festive magic of the movies. Your meal is served buffet style from a specially themed table, bursting with hobbit fare, with shared table seating to dine family style with your group to conclude your Middle-earth adventure.

Please note: pre-booking your tour is essential. Our tours can sell-out well in advance so please pre-book to avoid disappointment.

Tour + Meal options are only available in conjunction with selected Shire's Rest departures.

Please be aware this experience involves a shared dining experience inside the Party Marquee. You will be seated at a banquet table with others from your tour departure and the meal is self-service from the buffet.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour + Lunch Combo includes:

Hobbiton Movie Set is only accessible via guided tour.

Check in at The Shire's Rest Ticketing Office

501 Buckland Road, Matamata

Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your departure time and have your booking reference number on hand and our team will print your bus tickets.

The Shire's Rest™

Board our bus and journey to the movie set

A short 10-minute bus ride through picturesque the Alexander family farm.

Guided walking tour through the 12-acre movie set

Please remain with your tour guide for the duration of your experience.

View accessibility information here.

Explore the interior of a Hobbit's home on Bagshot Row

Follow your guide as you journey through the interiors of a humble Hobbit's home.

Visit The Green Dragon Inn

Enjoy a complimentary beverage from our famous Hobbit Southfarthing Range at The Green Dragon Inn - home to the brew for the brave and true!

The Green Dragon™ Inn

Enjoy a buffet lunch inside the festive interiors of The Party Marquee

Follow the instructions of your guide as you make your way to the Party Marquee. You will be seated at a banquet table with others from your tour departure group and the meal is self service from the buffet.

See menu below.

Board our coach and return to The Shire's Rest

Journey back through the Alexander family farm to conclude your adventure.

Return to The Shire's Rest

Be sure to visit The Shire Store and The Shire's Rest Cafe before you continue on your travels.

Venture Beyond the Door

The door has opened on a new adventure and all tours now include exploring the interior of a Hobbit Hole on Bagshot Row. We invite you to step inside and explore the humble home of a typical Hobbit™ family.

Bagshot Row™

Marquee Festive Feast

Mains

Served Buffet Style

Slow roasted beef rump
- DF/GF
Marinated chicken
- DF/GF
Minted lamb casserole
- DF/GF
Battered fish with a tartare sauce
Creamy Pesto Pasta
- V
Chickpea vegetable curry
- DF/GF/VGN
Chefs choice of seasonal vegetables
- DF/GF/VGN
Herb roasted gourmet potatoes
- DF/GF/V
Bulgur wheat salad
- DF
Garden fresh green salad
- DF/GF/VGN
Hobbit Slaw
- DF/GF/VGN
Steamed rice
- DF/GF/VGN

Desserts

A selection from the Green Dragon dessert kitchen including sweet slices and cakes
Baked apple crumble
- DF/GF/VGN
Seasonal fruit salad
- DF/GF/VGN

Special dietary requirements can be catered for, please include details at time of booking. Please note, while we offer Gluten Free menu options, we are not a gluten free kitchen. Cross-contamination could occur and we are unable to guarantee that any item can be completely free of allergens.

DF - Dairy Free / GF - Gluten Free / V - Vegetarian / VGN - Vegan

This menu is indicative only. Some menu items may vary based on the season and availability.

Do I need to book in advance or can I just show up?

We strongly recommend booking in advance as our tours are known to sell out, especially over the Summer months between December - February each year as this is typically our busiest time. Our website has live availability so you can book online - You can make a reservation online by clicking here. Alternatively you can make a reservation by calling us on (07) 888-1505 or by contacting us here.

Please note, all of our tours are subject to availability at the time of booking. If you do not make a booking in advance, we cannot guarantee you will be able to join a tour.

When will I know if my preferred date is available for booking?

Our departure dates are available a minimum of 10 months in advance to book. We recommend frequently checking on our website to view the most up to date availability. We do not hold a waitlist for when specific dates are available to be booked due to the number of different products that we operate and the number of enquiries that we receive.
What happens if I am late for my tour?

If you are going to be late for your tour, we recommend you call us as soon as you are able to so we can discuss options with you. If you are unable to call us and arrive late, we will do our best to put you on the next available tour departure. Please note that if we are extremely busy, the next available tour may be several hours later, a different tour experience than initially booked and in rare occurrences may not be on the same day.
What is The Shire's Rest™?

The Shire's Rest ™ is our headquarters and location where all of our tours depart from. It is located at 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, Matamata - click here for directions.

It is located approximately 15 minutes from Matamata town centre, and from here it is about a 10 minute bus ride to the Movie Set which is included in our tours.

You do not need to book a tour to visit The Shire's Rest. On site here at The Shire's Rest is our Ticketing Office, Retail Shop and Cafe. There is ample parking here on site, with plenty of space for large vehicles and camper vans too.
Do I have to go on a tour or can I go by myself?

To ensure all our guests have the complete experience the only way to access the Hobbiton Movie Set is with a fully guided walking tour. The movie set is located on private farm land and is not publicly accessible outside of our guided tour experiences.
Will my tour still operate in wet weather?

Yes, we operate in all weather conditions. Umbrellas are provided in the event of rain and we highly recommend you dress appropriately for the weather, with enclosed footwear.

In the event of extreme weather conditions we reserve the right to make alternative tour arrangements for you.