Hobbiton
In the midst of endless rolling green hills flecked with white sheep is the village of Hobbiton. Be prepared to be transported to the peaceful region of Middle-earth™ where Bilbo Baggins lived and the quest for the ring began.
Matamata is a small agricultural town situated at the foot of the Kaimai Ranges in the fertile region of the Waikato, an area famous for dairy farming and thoroughbred horses. The nearby Wairere Falls are the North Island's highest waterfalls and a walk up to the lookout is also a great spot to take in the magnificent views over the Waikato Plains, spread out before you like the four corners of the Shire. When you know that the Shire is described as a small but beautiful, idyllic and fruitful land, with small pockets of forest amongst the lush pasture, you can see why it was filmed in this corner of New Zealand.
In the midst of these endless rolling green hills flecked with white sheep in the village of Hobbiton. Be prepared to be transported to the peaceful region of Middle-earth where Bilbo Baggins lived and the quest for the ring began. Hobbiton village is overlooked by The Hill, the location of the Hobbit holes and complete with gardens, tools and overgrown laneways. Bag End, home to the famous Baggins family is the crowning glory though there's strictly no admittance 'except on party business'.
Immerse yourself in the attention to detail, from the brightly painted doors and exquisitely carved letterboxes to mini wheelbarrows and beehives and the magnificent Party Tree standing in the Party Field. Lanterns were hung in its branches during Bilbo's 111th birthday party. The little lake and river add to the peaceful scene. Sandyman's Mill is there too, standing on the edge of the pond near the double arched bridge. Before you leave, be sure to partake of a Hobbit brew at the Green Dragon Inn, carefully recreated from the inn that featured in The Lord of the rings trilogy.
The Lord of The Rings Filming Locations Visited
Our New Zealand The Lord of the Rings tours include many movie locations such as Hobbiton and Trollshaw in The North Island, to Laketown and Edoras in the South Island! All of these beautiful places are instantly recognisable in real life.
Although the area is better known for the Waitomo Caves and glow worms, the Mangaotaki Valley near Piopio also featured in The Hobbit where it became the location for Staddle Farm and Trollshaw Forest
Trollshaw
Pelorus River is a stunning location where Bilbo and the 13 Dwarves had to ride down the rapids in their barrels!
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Wellington is in many ways the heart of the movie fan's experience, being the home to the Weta Workshop & Cave, Weta Digital, Park Road Post Productions,Motion Capture Studio & Stone Street Studios.
Learn MoreWhat people have said
My second tour through Middle Earth (New Zealand) was just as wonderful as the first, the locations you are taken to are just amazing. Best suited for people with interest in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, you make so many friends throughout your journey that you become your own...
Lisa S
Red Carpet Tours is a fabulous company - been with them 3 times. I agree with others posted here that it is the BEST way to see New Zealand, especially if you are a "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" fan - and even if you're not! From all the Magnificent New Zealand...
John N
With Julie James as our guide (Feb. 2018) on the 14 day tour... it was excellent! She always took every effort and opportunity to see to everyone's requests. The hotels we stayed in were wonderful. The meals were delicious. But the tour itself??? Awesome!!! We had big LOTR and the Hobbit...
Katherine C
There is a reason that this company is the premier in its field. I’ve been home for almost a week now and I’m still struggling to comprehend how incredible my experience with Red Carpet Tours was. This was hands down one of the best things I ever have, and likely ever will do in my...
Taylor K
Traveling New Zealand with RCT and Julie was amazing. It was the trip of a lifetime (but I hope to do it again!). It was very well put together and we got to see such amazing sites and do so many awesome things. I can't even name what my favorite part of the whole tour was because it was...
Lynn S
Just concluded my third trip with Red Carpet Tours. 5 stars for the 3rd time running! Excellent planning and attention to detail by the James Family and fabulous guiding by Julie. Once again, a very lovely, friendly ‘Fellowship’ of travellers with a common interest. You might expect...
Sue B
"Exceptional! Marvellous! Outstanding! Just a few of the words I could use to describe how fabulous the Red Carpet Tours winter Lord of the Rings tour was. The organisation from beginning to end couldn’t be faulted. Hotels were carefully selected for location and quality. The days...
Judith S
This is the best and ONLY way for a LOtR/Hobbit fan to experience New Zealand. Julie and her team are fantastic, knowledgeable people who, you can tell, put so much time and effort into making sure your experience with them is an amazing one! You will not regret choosing them as your guides...
Stephanie B
Amazing and so well worth it! Days in a row of just being excited for something alone was something special to me but also meeting like-minded people who were so accepting and fun was fantastic! Julie James is a treasure - handles everything with grace and was just everything you want in a tour...
Tracy E
This tour changed my life, Julie and Josh were amazing tour guides, everywhere we went was stunning. I could not have asked for anything more from them. Even where there were some hiccups outside of anyone’s control Julie and the team worked tirelessly to ensure we had the best experience...
Jon