Hobbiton Movie Set and Banquet Tour Review

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour New Zealand

I’ve wanted to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set since it opened to the public. I wasn’t a huge lord of the Rings fan (in spite of reading all of the books and watching all of the movies). But the Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand looked absolutely charming so I just had to go! When we confirmed New Zealand as one of our honeymoon destinations, this tour was the first thing we booked. We decided to splurge and go for the Hobbiton Banquet Tour, which included the tour as well as a Hobbit-style banquet feast!

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour New Zealand
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour New Zealand

Hobbiton Move Set: Location

The Hobbiton Movie Set is in a small New Zealand town called Matamata – about a 2-hour drive south of Auckland. Matamata is a tiny town, with a population of only about 7,000. Because our tour ended late in the evening, we stayed overnight at the Matamata Motel. If you’re going for an earlier tour though, keep in mind there aren’t many tourist activities other than the set tours.

We did head down from Matamata to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and the Kiwi & Natural Bird Park from Matamata the next day, which was convenient since it’s just another 30-minute drive south from Matamata!

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour New Zealand
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour New Zealand

Hobbiton Movie Set: Tour Options

There are a number of options you can choose from at the Hobbiton Movie Set, including:

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour New Zealand
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour New Zealand

The Hobbiton Movie Set:

The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour starts at the Shire’s Rest – basically the parking lot and lobby area for the tour. You check-in, and when the time comes, you’ll ride a bus through the rolling hills while you get to know your tour guide and learn fun facts about the set. Once you arrive, the official walking tour starts and lasts for about 2-2.5 hours. I know that sounds long but it’s not because of the distance or amount of walking. It’s because they give you plenty of time to explore and take photos. For ‘photographers’ like me (I quoted that since I’m in no way a professional photographer!), the amount of time we got to explore pockets of the set freely was much appreciated!

Keep in mind, though, there will be a lot of walking and while I’m not 100% sure, I get a feeling it is not ADA friendly. Wear flats or sneakers to stay comfortable.

Hobbiton Banquet Tour Review
Hobbiton Banquet Tour Review

The Hobbiton Banquet Tour: Review

The Hobbiton Banquet Tour is everything described in the walking tour plus a meal. Not just any meal, a Hobbit’s banquet! Don’t let the higher prices deter you from going for the Hobbiton Banquet Tour. We were reluctant about it too since our honeymoon was costing us an arm and a leg already but we’re so glad we went for this choice! Not only do you get the tour and food, but there’s also an unmentioned benefit of being the last guided tour through Middle Earth, which means your photos have very few other people and it truly feels like you’re on a small private tour. You’re also the only group of the day that gets to walk through the Hobbiton Set again in complete darkness with lanterns. The lights turn on at night and it gives a completely different vibe to the Hobbit Houses.

Hobbiton Banquet Tour Review
Hobbiton Banquet Tour Review
Hobbiton Banquet Tour Review

As for the food, it’s a blast! We checked in and start with beer on tap that’s exclusive to the Hobbiton Movie Set. Then the staff welcomed us into the banquet hall filled with tables adorned with food, Hobbit style! You chat, drink and feast the night away which felt amazing after the long tour. After the meal, they clean the tables and bring out dessert (best part, in my opinion!) to finish off the evening. I’ve seen reviews of the Hobbiton Banquet Tour food being bad but I’m wondering if they’ve improved it since I personally (amongst others) thought it was delicious and very well curated!

Hobbiton Banquet Tour Review
Hobbiton Banquet Tour Review

Information: 

Hobbiton Movie Set 
Address: 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, Matamata 3472, New Zealand
Phone: +64(7)888-1505
Website: http://www.hobbitontours.com
Parking: Free Parking Lot

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12 Comments

  1. Teesh
    May 6, 2018 / 7:46 am

    Oh wow, that feast looks so good!

    Teesh ♥ Adventures of Cupcake Girl

  2. Kana Imamura
    May 9, 2018 / 1:21 am

    It was delicious! So much fun. Have you been?

  3. Unknown
    July 6, 2018 / 3:30 pm

    Wow this place is truly fascinating! You are so lucky you got to visit it 🙂
    #FlyAwayFriday

  4. Indira
    July 6, 2018 / 4:02 pm

    Oh my goodness! That spread looks amazing! I'm always down for any kind of feast, especially a themed one. Lol

  5. TheSterlingTraveler
    July 6, 2018 / 6:37 pm

    This looks like so much fun! I'm not a huge fan of LOTR, but it's always interesting seeing a movie set. It's great that they've made it an attraction and the food does look delicious! #FlyAwayFriday

  6. Josy A
    July 6, 2018 / 6:38 pm

    This looks amaaaazing! We didn't visit Hobbiton in the end when we were in the area (we only had a few hours to spare, so we visited one of those awesome volcanic areas and a hot spring instead!) However I did really like the idea of it. You have made it look awesome, especially the food!

  7. Unknown
    July 6, 2018 / 10:35 pm

    How did you even get through the Lord of the Rings books? Seriously? I got 62 pages into The Hobbit and I threw in the towel. I didn't even bother trying with the Lord of Rings. But the movies are great 😉
    Hobbiton is high on my bucket list! #FlyAwayFriday

  8. Jennifer Dobson
    July 7, 2018 / 3:02 am

    This is cool. I want a Hobbit's banquet! It looks delectable.

  9. Liana
    July 7, 2018 / 6:09 pm

    I would LOVE to do this! And, your photos are amazing! #FlyAwayFriday

  10. Melina
    July 8, 2018 / 10:43 pm

    How fun! The food looks amazing! I’ll have to add this to my NZ list! #FlyAwayFriday

  11. Juliette
    July 9, 2018 / 7:38 am

    I'm a bit embarrassed to say I've never actually been here! And I live so close! I've driven past it and seen it in the distance, but I guess perhaps many New Zealanders take this sort of thing for granted, because LOTR was HUGE at the time of filming & the movie releases and you couldn't escape from it ha ha! But it is beautiful for sure. I love the fact every winter I get to see Mt Doom though multiple times…on the way to our local ski field! #flyawayfriday

  12. Unknown
    July 20, 2018 / 12:33 am

    Looks absolutely fantastic. I wish I had gotten to the North Island when I went to NZ! Well, it's an excuse to go back 🙂