By: Luke Baum
Contents:
During my time in New Zealand, I took a couple excursions outside my main hub: Auckland. A trip to the iconic film set for "The Lord of the Rings" was essential during my trip to New Zealand, as the setting of J.R.R. Tolkien's on-screen adaptation of Middle Earth was this volcanic country.
Instead of tearing down the set after completion of filming, the team behind "The Lord of the Rings" films decided to keep Hobbiton alive. This charming town commemorates the film, story, and setting -- not to mention offering the perfect tourist trap!
Above: Driving away from Ezi Car Rental in Auckland, New Zealand*. 2023 by Luke Baum
Hobbiton is located outside of a town called Matamata, and taking a bus from Auckland to Matamata was out of the question. Renting a car was by-far the cheaper option, and it gave me the flexibility of planning my own trip across "Middle Earth".
If you want to hear more about my car rental experience in Auckland, click here and find that information in the "Au Revoir Auckland" section!
*Disclaimer: I do not condone operating a phone or camera while driving.
Above: Along Highway 1, from Auckland to Hamilton, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
Through valleys and pastures, I soaked in the landscape of the country. I felt blessed to experience this beautiful land. New Zealand is volcanic, exotic, and sprawling with varied landscapes -- as an adventurer, it's easy to feel the allure.
Hamilton Gardens
Above: Recreation of classical Chinese koi pond in Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
First stop on my roadtrip: Hamilton Gardens. A friend of mine at YHA (my home in Auckland) told me of a pretty spot on the way to Hobbiton, called Hamilton Gardens. The best way to travel is by making the most of every stop along the way, so I decided to make this part of my itinerary! I also wanted to follow up on this lead because of my interest in architecture and nature.
Above: Recreation of a traditional Maori food-storage hut in Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
I was captivated by this detour. Each section of these gardens is designed around a certain period of time and region of the world. I felt like I was leaping through time and space along my journey through these gardens. Enjoy these additional pictures I took of select sections that only barely captured the essence of the Hamilton Gardens.
Above: Recreation of an Italian villa in Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
Above: Recreation of an Italian villa cont. in Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
Above: Recreation of an ancient Egyptian courtyard in Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
There were also gardens inspired by periods in America, England, Japan, and more! I toured the gardens for just under 2 hours before making my way to Hobbiton.
Above: Flock of sheep near Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
On my way from Hamilton Gardens to Hobbiton, I was greeted with my first look at sheep in New Zealand -- sheep as far as the eye could see! The beautiful green fields were breathtaking; I wanted to go roll around and have a picnic out there. No wonder this bountiful landscape was the choice for a whimsical fantasy village.
Hobbiton Tour
Above: Map of Hobbiton Movie Set outside Matamata, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
I expected an amusement park in the style of Universal Studios in Florida, but was greeted with a quaint collection of buildings making up the start of the Hobbiton Tour. I quickly realized that beyond the charming pastures, everything else was "pay-to-play".
I got my ticket beside to the bus launch and made my way into the cafe. I was impressed by the tasty selection of pies, sandwiches, and other varied Hobbit-inspired cuisine. I ordered a sandwich before embarking on my journey through the Shire...
Above: Riding into the Hobbiton Movie Set via bus outside Matamata, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
The bus ride set the tone for the tour perfectly. As rolling green fields teeming with cattle flashed beyond my periphery, a screen played select scenes shot in Hobbiton from Peter Jackson's adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies. This was a great touch to refresh my memory of the movies.
Above: Starting the tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
Lo! The beginning of the tour began at the sign marking the entrance into the village. My Welsh tour guide was clear, easygoing, and friendly. Beyond giving a good tour of this town, she also noticed I traveled alone, so we got to know each other on the down-time of the tour.
Above: Posing inside the only functioning "hobbit hole", Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
Is a trip to Hobbiton complete without a dorky photo-op? This building (above) was the only Hobbit hole us tourists could enter at the time. It was fun to be part of the Middle Earth magic.
Above: The village at Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
Above: Bilbo's house in Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
On the top of the hill overlooking Hobbiton, I found Bilbo's house! This was the most surreal moment for me along the tour. This iconic courtyard was the setting of several heart-warming scenes from the adaptation of Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and prequel series. I could almost hear the voices of Gandalf, Frodo, and Bilbo reflecting over the Shire...
Above: Trailhead to the Green Dragon tavern, Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
After a tour through Hobbiton, our next stop: the Green Dragon tavern! Our tour guide offered us a complementary drink, which made the trip around the lake all-the-more exciting as the anticipation built.
Above: View of the Green Dragon from across the water in Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
Above: Enjoying a drink outside the Green Dragon, Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
It was clear that my tour through Hobbiton was coming to an end with this celebratory gathering at the tavern. The space inside was quaint yet deceptively large. In addition to the complementary drink, the team also gave us a complementary mug (above) as compensation for minor ongoing construction. I'm glad I have a keepsake from this tour.
Above: Enjoying a drink inside the Green Dragon, Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
Above: Last look at Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
On our way out, we were taken through the outskirts of Hobbiton one last time. We were given time to ask any last questions or take straggling pictures before setting out from this glimpse of movie-magic.
Above: Riding out of Hobbiton Movie Set, Kaimai Mountain Range in the distance, Matamata, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
The bus ride back to the launch was peaceful. I was completely satisfied with the tour and excited for what they were building in Hobbiton for the future.
Above: Greeting sheep in Hobbiton Movie Set parking lot, Matamata, New Zealand. 2023 by Luke Baum
Back at the start of the tour, I enjoyed another meal courtesy of the Hobbiton kitchen. I wanted to soak up every last minute in this beautiful countryside. Alas, all things pass, so eventually, it was time to embark onward from Hobbiton. There to bid me farewell from the pastures: a family of sheep. Unfamiliar with seeing so many of these cute creatures, I embraced the moment by capturing footage (pictured above).
This was my last excursion in New Zealand. From here, I would be leaving New Zealand in 2 days, so I was grateful to have this opportunity to witness more of the beauty of New Zealand through my eyes.
Comments