My recent trip to New Zealand took me to a place that holds a special kind of magic for me: Hobbiton While I wouldn’t by any means call myself a die-hard fan of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies (both filmed right here!), I do cherish the memories of watching some of them with our son when he was younger. So, visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set felt like a nostalgic journey back to those special times and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

Getting to Hobbiton from Auckland is a breeze. By car the drive is just over two hours, with stunning scenery along the way. You can also book organized tours that include transportation, which is a great option if you don’t want to drive.

From the moment we arrived at the Hobbiton Movie Set, I was transported to another world. The rolling green hills, the charming hobbit holes nestled into the landscape, the lush gardens overflowing with flowers – it was all even more beautiful than I imagined. It was such a thrill to walk in the footsteps of Frodo and Bilbo, and to see all the familiar landmarks from the films.

And you know what? Even my husband Ken, who has never seen any of the movies, absolutely loved it! He was captivated by the beauty of the farm, the intricate details of the hobbit homes, and the fascinating stories our guide shared about the making of the films. It just goes to show that you don’t have to be a fan of the movies to appreciate the magic of Hobbiton.

We finished our tour with a pint at the Green Dragon Inn, the perfect way to end our day in Middle-earth. If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, I highly recommend adding Hobbiton to your itinerary. It’s an unforgettable experience for fans and non-fans alike!