While New Zealand’s South Island typically gets all the praise and glory, there is a lot to explore up in the north as well. We spent beautiful time discovering the city of Auckland, sampling wine on Waiheke Island, and hiking through the rain forest of Waitakere Range. Although, one place we were particularly anxious to get to was Hobbiton Movie Set. The 12-hour tour that we booked included a visit to the magical world of the Middle-earth, as well as Glowworm Caves in Waitomo – which is magical in its own way. Our bus driver Damien had a real gift for storytelling and kept us entertained the whole way with interesting facts and stories about New Zealand, as well as the sights we were visiting.
‘The Lord of the Rings’ Hobbiton Movie Set
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.”
For well over a decade now, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Hobbiton Movie Set has been attracting crowds from all over the world every single day. And for a good reason. The place is every bit as spectacular as you’d imagine. For the uninitiated, the Hobbiton Movie Set is located on a stunning 1,250-acre sheep farm of Alexander family close to the town of Matamata in the central part of New Zealand’s North Island.
His very long search for a perfect movie set in 1998, finally brought Peter Jackson to the doorsteps of Alexander family. It was literally love at first sight. The location had everything he was looking for – the iconic rolling hills, lush green pastures, and a magnificent pine tree towering over a nearby lake. The surrounding areas were untouched; no power lines, no buildings and no roads in sight – ideal spot for creating a fantasy world of Middle-earth. Plus, it was secluded enough, which meant secrecy and no threat of exposure from media. Peter Jackson was able to tick all the required boxes, and after making corresponding arrangements with Alexander family, the crew started to create this imaginary world.
The initial movie set took nine months to construct and featured 39 temporary hobbit holes. It was never intended to turn into a popular tourist destination and the plan was to demolish everything and return the farm to its initial state. However, once the movie came out and the word got out about the location of the movie set (by that time there were 17 bare plywood facades remaining), public drew in to the Alexander farm to see the Hobbiton in person.
In 2009, Peter Jackson returned to the farm to film The Hobbit trilogy and was determined to create the most authentic-looking fantasy world a human eye had seen. He thought through every detail and made sure everything was constructed using high quality, durable material, which is now maintained all year round by a specialized staff. It is also worth noting that Hobbiton is the only full movie set left in-tact in New Zealand. Indeed, the attention to detail that went into creating this world is simply incredible and absolutely adorable: laundry lines with washing hung out to dry; a picnic set up on the dock, moss and lichen growing on the fences, brooms and gardening tools near hobbit doors, signs on notice boards. Unfortunately, you cannot go inside any of the hobbit holes, because there are just facades. The interior sets were all shot on a sound stage in Wellington.
Important thing to note about visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set is that you are not allowed to enter and wonder around independently. If you decide to get a rental car and drive here, you’ll join one of the tours provided by the staff on the set. There is a parking lot available. You can grab a bite at the café right there, buy souvenirs and, most importantly, purchase tickets for one of the tours – group, private or an Evening Banquet (delicious affair, but advance reservation might be needed). You’ll then board a bus that drives you through the Alexander farm to the movie set, get a guided walking tour and be escorted back to the parking lot. You can find out more about the available tours and events on their official website.
Needless to say, it was beyond amazing to wonder around the 12 acre set through the wandering paths of The Shire, past Hobbit Holes, the Mill and into the Green Dragon Inn, where we got to sample a pint of in-house brewed cider and beer to conclude our own Middle-earth adventure. By then we felt quite famished and were treated by a banquet lunch (included in the price of the tour) under a tent inside the movie set. I didn’t get the photos, but the food – served buffet style – was quite delicious and featured a variety of dishes. Overall, despite the hunch that it might be a tourist trap I must confess: Hobbiton was really worth visiting!
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
We then hopped back on a bus and set off to our second destination – Waitomo Glowworm Caves which sit in the heart of a lush New Zealand rain forest. The caves are actually a private property and belong to a Maori family. Every single person employed there is related.
Once you arrive, you join a guided tour that takes you through three different levels and begins at the top level of the cave and the Catacombs. You get to see breathtaking caverns featuring beautiful limestone formations of stalactites and stalagmites. The second level is called the Banquet Chamber where early visitors stopped to eat, while the third and final level goes down into the Cathedral which is absolutely beautiful and has perfect natural acoustics. Our guide even told us that their family often holds private events here, including weddings!
We then went further down into the bowl of the earth to an underground river and boarded a boat. The boat tour is unreal as you are led from pitch black caverns that are lighted by thousands of glowworms.
Glowworms, species found exclusively in New Zealand, glow to attract insects, which get caught in the glowworms sticky lines. When a female reaches adulthood it uses the light to attract a mate. The glow also protects them from getting eaten by predators and is used for burning waste. The glow is a reaction between chemicals given off by the glowworm and oxygen, otherwise known as bioluminescence. Glowworms can control how light its tail is by changing the amount of oxygen reaching its light organ.
Now, I should warn you that they are not as bright and shiny as they look on the photo above – adults are around the size of an average mosquito. Instead, imagine a night sky dotted with thousands of living lights. It was absolutely mesmerizing to see. We sat there for a while in total silence and darkness. The only thing I could hear was a soft echo of a trickling water and the only thing I could see were the myriads of these tiny creatures glowing beautifully replicating a starry night’s sky. I can honestly say that I have never had another experience even come close to what I saw in these caves.
I won’t lie it was a very long day. We headed home exhausted but full of great memories. We hardly made a dent on North Island, but I believe it deserves its own spotlight and is well worth the visit, if you plan to travel to New Zealand.
Have you been to any of these places? What did you think? I’d like to know!
xoxo, nano
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I recently discovered this place and can not wait to see it in person! Your pictures are stunning! <3
Aww, Thank you so much for reading and sharing your sweet words! I hope you get to visit soon, this place is every bit as stunning (and so much more) as on the photos. xx
amazing~~~ *eyes full of hearts*
Been in one of my travel checklist since the early phase of my adulthood hahaha
“tourist trap” for a good reason, surely! :D
Thank you for sharing!
Haha you should definitely visit :)
nice!
Thank you!
This is a dream come true!! All these locations are absolutely stunning and thank you so much for sharing your journey. I had never heard much about the North and it’s harder to find information searching the internet especially if you’re someone like me who is so far away (London).
I can’t wait for your next post and please share more of your trips because they’re amazing!!
Dizem, thank you so much for reading and reaching ou. Your feedback means a lot! I hope you’ll get to visit NZ soon. xx
Awesome place. I would really visit it. U took great photos btw. Keep doing it.
So nice of you to say so. Thank you so much for reading! xx
It’s so beautiful and peaceful!
Amazing Quality!
So nice of you to say so. Thank you so much for reading! xx
This Photos Quality is amazing!
Great photos and an interesting post. Looks like you absolutely loved it there. We’re just coming to the end of 3 months touring NZ so love the country, just as much. It’s a wonderful place to visit.
It truly is a wonderful country, and has so much to offer. Wish we had more time to explore. I imagine how much you got to see and do in 3 months! So nice of you to say so. Thank you so much for reading! xx
No problem. We haven’t been to Hobbiton so interesting to see what its like and what you thought of it.
Been there before. Good fun :)
Isn’t it?! Thank you so much for reading! xx
Hi Nano! This is a marvellous post with such beautiful pictures! The glow caves look surreal and enchanting. Got to visit soon.
Aww so glad you enjoyed the post. The caves were indeed so special. Thank you so much for reading! xx
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Magical place!
It was! Thank you so much for reading! xx
Nothing but envious
Haha I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for reading! xx
I’m so jealous you saw glowworms 😍 one of my friends just got back from Auckland from a semester abroad and I don’t think she had the opportunity.
Glowworms were phenomenal, don’t think anything would compare to it. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for reading! xx
This would be a wonderful vacation spot! Love it! Inspires me to re-read the The Lord of the Rings Books! http://www.survivingisnotenough.com
I actually rewatched the movies now that I know where they were filmed. So much fun! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for reading! xx
😍😍😍 This looks like the perfect trip!!!
It truly was :)
Wow! Looks magical! Amazing photographies!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for reading and for your nice compliments! xx
I have quite a connection to your blog. I was born in Wellington, and when I was 13 we moved to the Waikato area. I lived about 5km from Hobbiton and went to high school in Matamata. It was a very sleepy little town in those days! I haven’t been to Hobbiton (I live in Australia now) but looking at your photos, I think I should make the effort!
Oooh thank you! It means a lot to hear a praise from the native. Your country is absolutely stunning. :) xx
I think you enter a parallel world here like the story. Fluffy Happy dreams of fantasy. Beautiful place.
Very true, that’s how I felt :)
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for reading and for your nice compliments! xx
Wow!! It’s like a dream come true!! So envious😊✨
Thank you Miko!
It’s beautiful. Would love to visit the Shire !!! A must place to visit for Hobbit, LOTR fans !!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for reading and for your nice compliments! xx
Breathtaking photos! What month did you visit? My husband and I are planning a trip that might have to be in our summer/their winter.
Hi Rosie! We traveled in mid-November, which was late spring in NZ and still a bit chilly. But it worked out. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for reading and for your nice compliments! xx
This is remarkable!! Thank you for sharing- I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand and now I have yet another reason to go!
Marissa, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Hope you’ll get to visit NZ soon. Thank you so much for reading and for your nice compliments! xx
This was absolutely amazing to read! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Aviana, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for reading and for your nice compliments! xx
Great post and great photos. Really enjoyed! Also want to be able to visit NZ soon and write about it on my blog.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Hope you get to visit NZ soon! Thank you so much for reading and for your nice compliments! xx
It’s beautiful 😍
Thank you!
It’s so beautiful… seems like there are still hobbits inhabiting there… pictures taken so perfect with every single details… even the sign which Frodo in the movie put on the gate outside of Bilbo’s house “No admittance, except on party business”… I’ve always loved ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbits’ series and these pictures made fall in love with it even more… Thank you so much for sharing these.. 🙂
I kept thinking a hobbit would pop out of one of the holes the whole time :) I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for reading and for your nice compliments! xx
I couldn’t stop myself… it’s worth complimenting.. it was such an amazing read… And how awesome it would’ve been if they actually popped out of there 😄… Oh I so wish they were real! And this place were not just a movie set but an actual place.. I wish I could ever visit Hobbiton 😊… So many wishes 😜… But to be very honest it’s me who should thank you for sharing this. I still keep looking into these pictures.. I just can’t get enough of it.. 😊
So sweet of you to say so! xx
This is so cool! I would love to visit there.
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This looks fabulous, I would love to go there!
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SO beautiful! it’s my dream to go visit one day.
This looks like such an amazing trip! I’ve always wanted to visit Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves look insane!!
Emma, thank you so much for reading. Photos don’t even do it justice. I hope that you can visit both spots at some point – they are absolutely amazing in their own way! :) xx
I have just featured Hobbiton in my 2018 bucket list as I’ve always wanted to go since seeing the films. Your photos are absolutely stunning and have made me want to visit even more! I have never heard of the glow worm caves but they look absolutely incredible! A wonder to the eye I bet! How magical! I have saved this post so I can keep it when I finally save up to go myself!
Jaz xoxo
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Jaz, thank you very much for reading. Oooh I’ll definitely read your travel bucket list, I always find them so inspiring. I hope you do travel to Hobbiton, it is such an amazing place. Glowworm caves ware astounding in their own way, so very much worth visit. Really haven’t seen anything like that before.
We’re headed to New Zealand in February! CANNOT WAIT to visit the Hobbiton set!!! xo
Kana, that sounds amazing! I think you’ll absolutely love New Zealand – so much to explore!! Cannot wait to see all your beautiful pictures. xx
Ow wow I so want to visit, the Hobit Houses looks amazing what a pretty place to visit and Chris would just love it as he is a huge Lord of the Rings fan, and omg those caves xx
Thank you Sarah! Both places looked insane, and would amaze kids and adults equally. Hope you’ll travel there and experience it yourself some day. xoxo
What wonderful places to visit! If I ever visit New Zealand I’ll definitely make sure these are on the list :)
You definitely should, you’ll have an unforgettable experience! xoxo
We are such LOTR fans, this is definitely on our bucket list to do! Love your pics Nano, looks like a great day. ;)
Lorelle, you should definitely visit both places – it was so impressive! xx
This is amazing.
Thank you Yvonne! It was a fantastic experience.
Hobbiton looks like the cutest place ever!
It was absolutely magical! xx
Two of my favourite things to do with visitors, as they are SUCH fun!
Emma, I’m jealous you have it “in your backyard” back home, and can visit as many times as you want. xoxo
Wow! The cave looks so surreal. I guess it was a magical experience for you! But sitting in the dark for a long time is not really “incentive” :) If I were you, I must beaten by mosquitos or some kind of insect. They hate me haha.
Haha Len, no mosquitoes, it is too chilly for them down there. Definitely a worthy experience, really surreal. Hope you’ll visit some day! xoxo
This is so stunning! I love all the lush greenery with the gorgeous pops of colour from the flowers and the doors – what a lovely combination!
It was surreal, just like a painting in a book. :) xoxo
Ahh, so envious. Gorgeous photos – that clothesline and little outdoor table…! They really should make hill houses you can stay overnight in. I’d never want to leave!
I hope they do make that option possible – it would be a lovely experience to stay there overnight and then wonder through the hobbit holes during sunrise, when no one is still there. I just read two days ago that they did open a small hotel in the States with a hobbiton theme though!
It’s my dream to visit, but it also LOOKS like a dream! Argh, this has given me such a serious case of wanderlust, Nano!
xo Jaime
Angloyankophile
Jaime, It really was like a dream. I hope you visit some time. I think you’ll absolutely love it. I wish I had more time to wonder around. xoxo