07/09/2018 - Arrived in the Shire (Hobbiton Movie Set)

After a long, beautiful journey through Middle-earth, the time has come to visit the Shire.

The first destination for all fans of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is the small village "Matamata". Already during the journey, one gets the feeling of being soon arrived in the home of the hobbits. The green hills, which New Zealand's North Island has in abundance, shone greener than ever before.
When we reached the information center (i-Site) in Matamata, the anticipation grew even further. Like a small hobbit hole, the quaint building with its round windows and wooden facade stands by the roadside. Together with the employee, we discussed the current number of visitors to the "Hobbiton Movie Set". We were advised on a guided tour of "Hobbiton". Basically, it doesn't matter at this time of year when we start the tour, as it is unusually quiet. Nevertheless, she recommended the first tour of the day, as it allows the first view of the former film set without tourist groups passing through.

The night before the visit to "The Shire's Rest" (starting point of the guided tours), we slept just a few minutes away. Here too, we were surrounded by the special atmosphere of being very close to the Shire. Today's sunrise underlined the feeling even more. :) Finally, the day had come.
The bowl of muesli was quickly eaten and we started the short journey around 8:40 am. Without a reservation or ticket, we appeared at the counter and were once again advised by the employee. She also recommended the first tour of the day. And then everything happened very quickly. We booked, rushed back to the car to pack our backpacks, and were one of the last to board the green Hobbiton bus. For this reason, we found only two individual seats, fortunately behind each other. At 9:00 am, the bus driver closed his doors and drove through the gate. From this moment on, we were on the farm of the "Alexander Family". How it came about that scenes for the movies were filmed here was explained by the director Sir Peter Jackson himself in a video message.

The native New Zealander flew by helicopter and searched the country for suitable locations. He found them on the farm of the Alexander family for the realization of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic works. The scenery was tailor-made for the Shire. That's why in 1998 he knocked on the door of the family, where they were informed about the plans of the production company. The Alexander family agreed with the plans, and the construction of Hobbiton could begin.
During the creation of the film set in 1999, many people helped. The area was previously an intact sheep and cattle farm, with no footpaths or roads. No expense or effort was spared - even the New Zealand military helped develop the area.
When the roads were built and catering ordered for over 400 crew members, filming began. It took three months to complete all the scenes. Afterwards, the props were dismantled, labeled, and stored. Peace returned to the farm.
Until 2010, when filming for "The Hobbit" film trilogy began. Once again, the entire village of Hobbiton (plus four new hobbit holes) was built. This time, however, it was made of permanent materials and not papier-mâché like in 1999. It took just twelve days for the film crew and actors to leave the location.
Well, since 2012 guided tours have been offered daily right here.

So we sat on the bus, listened to the stories of Sir Peter Jackson, and tried to catch glimpses outside. After ten minutes, past free-roaming sheep and green hills, we reached the starting point of the tour: the Hobbiton sign. From here, our friendly group guide Jan took over. Once the simple rules, like not walking on the grass and staying with the group, were clarified, we strolled along the path that adorned the opening scene of the first "Lord of the Rings" film. Where Gandalf and Frodo once rode in a horse-drawn wagon towards Hobbiton, we now walked ...
After a few minutes, the first of a total of 44 hobbit holes came into view. Beautifully and lovingly decorated, we took advantage of the short break to take pictures from various angles. The round, colorful doors, the differently themed front gardens, the hobbit-sized clotheslines - everything fit together, just as we know it from the movies. :)
But there wasn't much time until Jan revealed more of her knowledge. She told us some insiders and details about the scenes that not everyone knows. - For example, J.R.R. Tolkien describes in his books how hobbits sit under plum trees. However, those trees did not have the right scale, so apple and pear trees were planted instead. Before the filming day, they were cleared of all fruits and leaves to create a plum tree using artificial plums and foliage. - Tricks were also used for the backgrounds in the film. A sunrise quickly became a sunset by playing it backwards after filming. ;)
We tried to find a healthy balance between taking photos and listening. Of course, this was not always easy, as the guided tours are sent out every ten minutes and therefore not much time is left at each station.
The group took its first longer break at the only hobbit hole that you are allowed to enter. Jan grabbed one camera after another to take souvenir pictures. One by one, we entered the cave and were photographed. Of course, we did as well - and now you are probably burning to know what you can find in the hobbit hole?! We will tell you: Nothing except umbrellas. ;) The scenes in the hobbits' houses were filmed in an external studio in "Wellington". The caves are barely two meters deep - if at all. Because sometimes they are just facades embedded in the green hills.
Next, we came to the gate of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. The stone staircase leading to Bag End, the largest hobbit hole, is still from the filming of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. However, the tree above the hut is 100% fake. It is made of wire and silicone and was modeled after an old oak tree. Around 200,000 artificial leaves are on the tree to make it look natural. The many enthusiastic birds in it confirm that the imitation worked. ;) Looking in the other direction, there is a great view of the village - and as hoped, only a few visitors were wandering around the property.
The tour now headed for the town center. We crossed the hut of Frodo's most loyal companion, Samwise Gamgee. Then we reached the festival meadow, which would still be a swamp today if it hadn't been filled. ;) After all, the 100-year-old "party tree" that adorns the place is real. Together with the lake behind it, it made the perfect filming location for Bilbo's birthday party.
The further walk led us past a mill, over a stone bridge, to the "Green Dragon Inn". This inn was the meeting point for all residents of Hobbiton and the end of our visit. We walked into the inviting building and each got a free drink at the bar. Tobi chose an apple cider at 10:30 am, and I had a ginger beer on tap. We sat down in the Green Dragon, between wooden planks, staged folklore, and the roaring fireplace, and enjoyed our cold drinks like the hobbits. Lastly, Jan amazed us with the fact that during filming, actual brewed beer was served! However, at the request of the filmmakers, it had an alcohol content of only 1%. ;)
There was not much time to linger. Just 15 minutes later, we met at the bus. With a farewell at the souvenir shop, the two-hour tour ended.

In conclusion, we can fully understand why Sir Peter Jackson chose this place for the Shire. It has such a dreamy and peaceful atmosphere.
Unfortunately, due to the time constraints, it is impossible to fully appreciate the many, many individual details. And yet, we believe it's worth it! We came away from the Hobbiton Movie Set with over 100 new dreamlike photos and videos that definitely speak for themselves, and a big grin on our faces. :)