Behind The Scenes Tour

Departure

The Shire's Rest,  
501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera, Matamata.

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

Please report to The Shire's Rest no later than 30 minutes before your tour is due to depart.

Price

$290.00

ADULT(18+ years) valid for tour departures until 31 March 2028.

$232.00

YOUTH(11-17 years) valid for tour departures until 31 March 2028.

$174.00

CHILD(5-10 years) valid for tour departures until 31 March 2028.

FREE

INFANT(0-4 years) Ticket Required

OUR NEWEST PREMIUM EXPERIENCE

Your guide will escort you on a walking tour through Hobbiton Movie Set, in a group of up to 28 people, making for a more intimate experience. Journey around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Holes™, explore Bagshot Row™ for a glimpse inside the humble home of a Hobbit before heading to The Green Dragon Inn™ for a tipple of choice from our exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range.

Food and cheer is important in the Shire, so you will be treated with a hearty feed in The Millhouse, our private fully themed venue. Enjoy a decadent banquet lunch piled high with all the trimmings... second helpings are encouraged! Once you have had your fill, follow your guide as you embark on the next chapter of your adventure.

Take a peek behind the curtain of how the Hobbiton magic is made with a visit to the Art Department's workshop. Your guide will share some fascinating insight into the creation and maintenance of Hobbiton Movie Set and the set decorating that keep the movie set looking alive and lived in. You'll visit some of the real workstations of our props masters, carpenters, scenic painters and crafters, with your guide as your host through this exciting behind-the-scenes workshop.

The final leg of your journey will venture down some of Hobbiton’s unwandered paths for a Hobbit style platter of cheese, chutneys and fruit overlooking a stunning vista from a secret spot, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Shire to conclude your adventure.

Please be aware there is ongoing maintenance & restoration work underway at Hobbiton Movie Set. Learn more here.

View our conditions of entry and cancellation policy here.

Numbers are limited, so booking is essential. Please advise any dietary requirements you may have at time of booking in the provided field during your purchase.

Please be aware this experience involves a shared family-style dining for lunch inside The Millhouse. You will be seated at a banquet table with others from your tour departure and the meal is self-service from the centre of the table.

Behind The Scenes Tour 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 30 minutes before your departure time and have your booking reference number on hand and our team will print your bus tickets.

Board our bus and journey to the movie set

A short 10-minute bus ride through the picturesque 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!

Enjoy a banquet lunch in The Millhouse

Follow your guide as you journey back over the bridge to The Millhouse.

Lunch is served banquet style. See menu below.

A glimpse behind the scenes at the Art Department

Your guide will escort you through the Art Department where you'll learn how the movie magic is made here.

A journey through an unwandered part of the Movie Set

A leisurely self-guided stroll through an area of the Set not accessed by our other tour experiences

A delicious cheese platter overlooking the Shire

Hobbit style platter of cheese, chutneys and fruit served with a glass of bubbles.

Board our coach and return to The Shire's Rest

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

Behind The Scenes Menu

Banquet Lunch

Served inside The Millhouse

Selection of homemade breads and condiments
Rosemary Crusted Roast Lamb
- DF/GF
Golden roast chicken
- DF/GF
Mixed vegetable tart
- V
Cottage Pie
- DF/GF
Vegetable Soup
- DF/GF/VGN
Selection of roast vegetables
- DF/GF/VGN
Garlic and thyme roasted potatoes
- DF/GF/VGN
Braised Cabbage
- DF/GF/VGN
Herb and Garlic mushrooms
- DF/GF/VGN
Fresh green salad
- DF/GF/VGN
Hard Boiled Eggs
- DF/GF

Dessert Cheese Platter

Served overlooking The Shire

Selection of New Zealand Cheeses
- V
Seasonal Fresh Fruit
- GF/DF/VGN
Assortment of Relishes, Chutneys and Fruit Jelly
Selection of Crackers

Please note, we do our best to accommodate a wide range of dietary needs and allergies. We are a ‘halal-friendly’ kitchen and follow a strict allergen management plan, however our kitchen handles many allergens and we cannot guarantee dishes are completely free from trace amounts. To help us prepare safely, please inform us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking or at least 48 hours in advance by emailing [email protected]. Our menus are indicative only. Some menu items may vary based on the season and availability.

Due to the nature of the Dessert Cheese Platter, we are unable to accommodate for dietaries during this portion of the experience.