Hobbiton (Matamata)

Storybook memories are strong in us all, so it’s unfortunate that most of the wonderful places that are very real in our minds are not “real” in the sense that we could go visit them, enjoy their beauty, smell their flowers, knock on their front doors. But there is one place on earth – specifically “Middle Earth” of J.R.R. Tolkien’s creations The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy - that can be visited: welcome to Hobbiton in Matamata, New Zealand.

Thrilling for children, but an enjoyable experience for movie fans of any age. Tour the Shire in a small group of up to 20 people and revel in experiencing the actual movie set where all the scenes of The Shire were shot, perfectly preserved. There are beautiful gardens in front of every round Hobbit door. Bookings are recommended online at https://www.hobbitontours.com/.

A 1.5 hour drive from Orokawa Bay Retreat, the address is 501 Buckland Road, Matamata.