I've never been a huge Hobbiton fan. Don't get me wrong. I truely enjoyed the books as a child and have loved seeing the movies with my children as an adult, but I didn't think too much about all the hype about the movie set until my niece shared her excitement about going. I said, let's go then and we arranged to go in the holidays and boy am I glad!!!!
It was just stunning! We had a bit of a funny start with my silly GPS taking us way off the beaten track to get there. But again, it was so worth it. Stunning scenery! Then getting there, having some lunch at the cafe (delicious!!!), then jumping on a typical old NZ country school bus to get to the set.
We learnt so much from that bus journey and the wonderful driver. All about where things were set up, how the set was found and so on. It was so interesting!
Our guide (Dan) was also full of energy and keen to show us all the set with fun and information.
My sister and I kept going "wow, this is so beautiful". We really couldn't believe how amazing this part of the country was and how well they had preserved the set. We both commented to each other how realistic it looked and that we were expecting a pack of rampaging Orcs on horseback to come riding over the hills.
The kids enjoyed the tour as much as us adults, if not more.
One of the things I found so amazing was Peter Jacksons attention to detail. In the book, it talked about hobbits sitting around under plum trees. Well, the farm had pears and apples, not plums. So they took off each pear, each apple, each leaf and replaced them with plums and plum leaves. Just for a 3 second part in the movie.
The tree above Bilbo Baggins house had 220,000 leaves added to it. Amazing! Who would like to have that job? Not me! But it was done for authenticity and I have to say wow to someone with such focus and vision.
The Green dragon was FANTASTIC. A great way to end the tour. I wish we had more time there to leisurely drink and eat in such glorious surroundings.
We went on a day that was drizzling on and off. Overcast. Not sunny. But it was still one of, if not my most favourite 'tour' taken in NZ. I think if you have just one day here in New Zealand, and you want to see the countryside and a bit of special magic, then this is the tour to do. And if you're a kiwi and haven't been yet. Set some time aside and make the trip. So very very worth it!
To find out more, just click on the tour website.
Wow, these are incredible pictures...I want to move in!! Thanks for sharing these with us Trina. I think we might be planning a trip to Matamata! :D
Posted by: Lainie | January 24, 2014 at 12:15 AM
Wow, amazing pics, just gorgeous :) Makes me want to go and I have not seen the movies... maybe I should put them on the list :)
Posted by: Teryl | January 24, 2014 at 09:01 AM
Love your photos, so vibrant - I don't know how on middle-earth you are going to scrap them. Great commentary too by the way.
Posted by: Denise Spicer-Boyes | January 24, 2014 at 09:54 AM
Would love to visit one day. Stunning photos :)
Posted by: Vicki Parker | January 24, 2014 at 09:57 AM
I thought it was amazing to Trina, the tour guides are fantastic too. We went before Christmas and it rained most of the way round but that didn't stop our enjoyment. The Green Dragon makes up for the rain :-)
Highly recommend this to everyone.
Posted by: Erica Lasham | January 24, 2014 at 02:58 PM
how cool!!! love all the pics too
Posted by: mandyb | January 26, 2014 at 11:51 AM
Gorgeous photos! I am dying to go to Hobbiton sometime, and seeing your pics makes me want to even more! What a fun outing for your family and Vonny's.
Posted by: Hannah | January 28, 2014 at 10:57 AM