Top Experiences in Matamata

Embark on a full-day sightseeing luxury tour on our premium luxury vehicle from Auckland to see New Zealand's two most famous attractions in one day. Grab a great value Hobbiton Movie Set tour including a BBQ Buffet Lunch at the Party Marquee, the award-winning attraction made famous by the popular Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies where you'll see the intricately created 'Hobbit and float down a boat cruise on an underground river lit by twinkling glowworms.

Enter the magical world of ‘the Shire’ on this small-group movie set tour to Hobbiton from Auckland. See where the The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed and pose for pictures in front of hobbit holes.
Visit the party tree, Green Dragon Inn and have your picture taken outside the gate to Bilbo Baggins’ house. Explore inside a Hobbit home.

Afterward, enjoy a cider, ale or ginger beer in the Green Dragon Inn followed by buffet lunch in the Green Dragon Marquee. This is a must-do tour for any The Lord of the Rings movie lovers!

Experience two North Island icons on a day tour from Auckland.

Travel south from Auckland to Hobbiton. On arrival at Shire’s Rest you embark on your Hobbiton Movie Set tour. This location is the largest “green set” in the world. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the Party Tree. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the gate to Bilbo’s house, “Bag End”. Finish with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn for a drink.

Following your drink, you will be treated to a sumptuous buffet lunch in the marquee & some time to shop before continuing on to Waitomo.

On arrival in Waitomo, join a 45 minute guided tour of the incredible Waitomo Glow Worm caves. Discover an ancient world 30 million years on the making. Enjoy the delicate cave formations and be wowed in the Cathedral, before taking the iconic boat rode through the glow worm grotto (subject to water levels). Marvel in silence at thousands of magical glow worms.

Return to Auckland in the early evening.

Travel the short distance from Rotorua to Matamata, home of Hobbiton Movie Set.

Upon arriving at Hobbiton, meet your guide who takes you through this working sheep farm, a prime filming location for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movie series with incredible views overlooking the world’s biggest outdoor movie set.

Your tour group is smaller than the public tours with this tour option!

Fans will love exploring the Shire, home to hobbit holes including Bilbo Baggins’s house. Stop for photos in front of the Mill, the party tree and the double-arch bridge as you’re entertained with tales about the making of the films. Then head to the Green Dragon Inn for a complimentary cider, ale or ginger beer.

After your tour of Hobbiton, enjoy an included lunch at The Green Dragon marquee before your day trip ends with drop-off at your hotel in Auckland.

Experience this full-day tour from Auckland to the enchanting Hobbiton and Lord of Rings Movie Set, where the popular trilogies were brought to life.

We offer free pickup and drop-off from any Auckland central location.

Sit back and relax on the 2-hour scenic drive to the movie set, with a stunning stop along the way for a photo and a sightseeing drive through Matamata township.

Explore Hobbiton with a 2-hour guided tour by a professional guide. Wander past the iconic Bag End and welcoming Hobbit holes before stopping for a refreshing complementary drink in the Green Dragon Inn.

Even if you are not a fan this is a must-do in New Zealand.

Travel south after morning pickup from your Auckland hotel. En route to Hobbiton, enjoy a quick stretch break before arrival at the Hobbiton Movie Set.

Fans will love the guided tour of the Shire, a prime filming location for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movie series.
Stop for photos as you’re entertained with tales about the making of the films. Then head to the Green Dragon Inn for a complimentary drink.

After your tour of Hobbiton, you will be transferred to Rotorua by 1pm, allowing time to explore the city in the afternoon.

*please note from April to November 2023 there will be construction on set due to the Bagshot Row Development. This should not affect your tour too much apart from not seeing Samwise Gamgee’s home & a bit of construction noise. From 1st Dec 2023 the tour will be an additional 30 min to include the new Bag Shot Row experience. Lunch will also be included from 1st Dec 2023. Drop off in Rotorua will be at 2.30pm approx.