Hobbiton, New Zealand
August 9, 2014 by Helen
Filed under Travel destinations
Ready to visit The Shires? Well, there is the tourist information centre (rather looks like a building a Hobbit would live in doesn’t it) in Matamata, New Zealand…and look, there is the specially marked bus that will take us out of town, through the lovely countryside, and into the land of the hobbits…Hobbiton.
Did you have trouble finding a parking spot? Even though the parking area next to the tourist information centre is quite large it was full when we arrived about 10:30 in the morning. But we are rather persistent (and hopeful) people so we drove three times through the parking lot and on the fourth round a car was pulling out so we got that spot. Whew!
Got your ticket from the information centre? We pre-booked before we got here, so we can hop right on the bus.
Ready? Let’s go.
Catch the bus in Matamata
Our bus driver is a jovial gentleman who entertains his international group (Canada, Brazil, England, Japan, Australia and a few Kiwis) with stories about the countryside we are traveling through. Before you know it we arrive at the farm where the Hobbiton movie set is.
Off we hop to wait for the next bus that will drive us the short distance up the hill, through flocks of sheep, and down into the movie set.
Oh, my. I am not sure what I expected, but this is delightful! The attention to detail at each Hobbit residence (hole) is superb.
Hint: click on any picture to enlarge it.
Sign post in Hobbiton
Which way shall we go?
Fortunately we have a guide with us! I appreciate her presence but my husband would rather we were on our own and could set our own pace. 
Over there on the left (above)…that’s the young lady who was our guide at Hobbiton.
The Pond at Hobbiton
And what is on the other side of The Pond? (Those of you who are fans of the movie or the books know the answer, don’t you.)
Yes, it is The Green Dragon Inn.
There is time to have a light meal and a refreshing drink before heading back.
What a lovely journey.
When you are on the North Island of NZ, do stop in for a visit.
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Happy travels!
