New Zealand Trilogy 4 Day North Island

 The story of Hobbiton Movie Set
In 1998, Sir Peter Jackson’s team of location scouts were searching for the iconic rolling hills and lush green pastures of Hobbiton™. An aerial search led them to the Alexander farm, a stunning 1,250 acre sheep farm in the heart of the Waikato. They noted the area’s striking similarity to The Shire™, as described by JRR Tolkien, and quickly realised that the Hobbits had found a home. In one particular part of the farm, a magnificent pine tree towered over a nearby lake, adjacent to a rising
hill. Bag End now sits atop that hill, overlooking the Party Tree, as that pine would later be known. The surrounding areas were untouched; no power lines, no buildings and no roads in sight. This meant that Sir Peter Jackson could leave the 20th century behind, and fully submerge himself in the fantasy world of Middle-earth™. In March 1999 the crew began the nine month quest to bring the ideas for Hobbiton to fruition; help was provided by the New Zealand Army, and soon 39 temporary Hobbit Holes™ were scattered across the 12 acre plot used for the set. Secrecy was key, and strict security measures were put in place by the production company throughout construction and filming. Filming commenced in December 1999, and it took around three months to get a wrap on The Shire.
After an initial attempt at demolition, 17 bare plywood facades remained. These shells would serve as the catalyst that propelled Hobbiton forward into the public eye, with tours commencing in 2002.In 2009, Sir Peter Jackson returned to film The Hobbit Trilogy, and he left behind the beautiful movie set you’ll see
today; 44 permanently reconstructed Hobbit Holes, in the same fantastic detail seen in the movies.
There’s an abundance of movie magic nestled inside the fully operational farm.

Venture Beyond The Door

The door has opened on a new adventure and we invite you to step inside and explore the humble home of a typical Hobbit family on Bagshot Row. All tours of Hobbiton Movie Set now include an interior Hobbit Hole™ experience, designed and crafted by the renowned creative teams behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies. Located on Bagshot Row, these Hobbit Holes offer an authentic glimpse into the charming dwellings of Hobbits going about their daily lives in the Shire.
Mind your head as you wander and weave through the maze of rooms and hallways, all constructed with a Hobbit’s stature in mind. Intricate hand-painted details and carvings adorn the walls, complemented with a plethora of colourful hand-stitched linens and decorative flourishes throughout. Hints of the inhabitants’ family lineage is seeded throughout, with heirlooms and trinkets from generations of Hobbits from yesteryear, a well-stocked pantry with all the fixings to cater for their seven daily meals, and a cracking hearth all give a peek into the lives these halflings lead.

Encounter the Southern Hemisphere’s largest natural geyser, Pōhutu Geyser, which naturally erupts skyward over 15 times during a day. This is New Zealand’s most prolific geyser and is a sight to behold.

Watch skilled carvers and weavers demonstrate their expertise at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where indigenous material culture is on display through the lens of internationally recognized artists.

During the day, embark on the Te Rā Guided Experience, led by passionate guides who infuse a personal touch into Te Puia’s history and lineage. Explore a Jurassic-like landscape featuring native bush, geysers, and mud pools.

Add a spine-tingling cultural performance to your tour for the Te Rā + Haka combo. This includes the traditional welcome ceremony, songs, chants, poi, and haka within the impressive traditionally carved wharenui or meeting house.

When the sun goes down, Te Puia takes on a whole new life and feel. Enjoy a Hāngī Buffet Dinner + Haka with our evening Te Pō from 5:30pm or upgrade to our Te Pō Combo (Guided Experience, Buffet Dinner + Haka) which starts every day at 4pm with an afternoon guided experience and then guests are invited to join Te Pō diners in Pātaka Kai Bar, Restaurant & Café for a sumptuous hāngī dinner buffet. Our evening hosts then usher you to the exquisitely carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua, for a night of cultural entertainment before boarding the electric shuttle to finish the evening with a hot chocolate beneath the stars, surrounded by geothermal steam and sound.

As the sun sets and the world hushes into darkness, the most captivating love story in Rotorua’s geothermal wonderland awakens, and you’re invited to be part of it. Geyser By Night is a magical journey that until now, was a closely guarded secret. Te Whakarewarewa geothermal valley reveals its secrets under the velvet embrace of night, promising a sensory spectacle that exists nowhere else on Earth. This evening walking tour explores parts of the geothermal valley that are not seen during the day.