Can you really visit New Zealand without a trip to the Lord of the Rings Hobbiton movie set? Well, you can, but why deny yourself a day trip to this fantastic place? We took a tour from Auckland, including a stop in Rotorua to visit Te Puia, the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute and Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Park. Payton especially loved this Hobbiton tour from Auckland, as she loved the LOTR movies!
Is it easy to take a day trip to Hobbiton from Auckland?
Yes indeed! It’s a long day, because Hobbiton is located a little over 2 hours from Auckland. But there are many tour company options where you can combine activities for those on a short visit.
Our tour to Hobbiton, Te Puia, Rotorua – with hangi and cultural visit
Transport to Hobbiton in Matamata
We booked a combination tour on Viator and it was really good. It offered the maximum amount of activities we could squeeze into one day. The van was comfortable and it was a small group, so didn’t feel too busy.
Hobbiton Movie Set
Visiting Hobbiton – what to expect
The Hobbiton first seen in the Lord of the Rings movies was only a temporary movie set. But after the popularity of the movies, it was decided Hobbiton should be a permanent fixture. These days, the immense gardens and hobbit houses scattered around really are incredible. Combined with character charm and amenities like the Green Dragon Inn, it is a truly immersive experience.
Hobbiton can only been seen as part of a guided tour. While it is relaxed and an easy pace, it is organised like this to ensure the venue doesn’t become overrun. It is a very popular attraction after all. Shuttles leave every 20 minutes and take you to the location (in the middle of a working farm), so I would recommend using the facilities before you leave!
What to see in Hobbiton
You’ll see a replica of the Green Dragon Inn, the double arch bridge, and many many Hobbit houses. But the gardens are also amazing.
The Hobbit houses are just the facades, there is nothing actually inside – sorry to disappoint you! There are so many photo opportunities in Hobbiton. Each house has its own character, with glimpses into the lives of the Hobbit who lives there – items on clothes line, veggie patches and personal items. It has been done really well.
The guides are great at taking photos for you, so you’ll be sure to get the perfect souvenir of your visit.
Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Park
Our next stop was the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Park. New Zealand sits along fault lines, where the earth’s tectonic plates meet. Meaning that the volcanic and geothermal activity is second to none.
Getting to see the geysers and mineral falls on this walk was a real treat. Surrounded by lush forest, the landscapes at Te Whakarewarewa are unbelievably beautiful.
Hangi Food
Hangi is the traditional underground cooking style of the Maori. This indigenous cooking style is similar to that of the Fijian Umu or Kālua in Hawaii. This earth oven creates a smokey, earthy flavour of the meat and vegetables. It’s a taste unlike anything we’ve ever tried before.
It’s definitely an acquired taste, with the long slow cook making things a little mushy. But we really loved getting the chance to try it.
Te Puia Cultural Centre
Learning about different cultures is one of the things we value the most about traveling. Te Puia Cultural Centre allowed us to learn about some of the traditional Maori art and culture. We enjoyed it so much, we would love to go back and spend more time learning from the guides (as we did in Fiji) – an activity for next time.
Tip: Don’t do what some of the people in our tour group did and not listen to the guide. The guides at Te Puia are so knowledgeable, and many of us wanted to hear the stories, yet there were people who just wouldn’t stop talking over the top of her. It was infuriating and so disrespectful.
If you take the time to travel to another country, make an effort to learn about the cultures within it!
Is it easy to take a day trip from Auckland to Hobbiton, Rotorua and beyond?
It’s a long day trip from Auckland to take the Hobbiton tour, but it is well-worth the long day – especially since you get time to experience the geothermal activity and cultural experiences near Rotorua. If you are in New Zealand for longer, you could road-trip down the North Island and see a lot more. But if you only have a short time, as we did, a day tour is a great option.
You can also take a two-day tour to include more in the Rotorua area if you have more time.
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