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You can now pass beyond the doors of the Hobbiton Movie set in New Zealand, with director Sir Peter Jackson behind the development of two ‘83% human size’ Hobbit holes for visitors to explore
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 05 Dec 2023
Visitors can for the first time explore a Hobbit hole at the Hobbiton set in New Zealand Credit: Hobbiton Tours
New Zealand’s popular Hobbiton set - as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies - can now be explored even further by fans of the franchise, with two Hobbit holes now open for tourists to explore.
An icon of New Zealand’s tourism industry for over 20 years, until now visitors would only be able to see the Hobbiton set - located two hours south of Auckland on North Island - from the outside. During filming for the Middle Earth-based films the set acted as an external facade, with the film’s interior shots taking place in a separate studio.
As of December 1, for the first time visitors to the set can now enter the Hobbit homes, which are built to 83 percent “human scale” of those seen in the films.
Featuring a high level of detail for eagle-eyed fans, each hole includes an entry hall, bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, dining room, pantry and a parlour. To accommodate more visitors, guests will explore one of two holes during their tour. Each has a slightly different footprint, but both are designed to offer an “identical” experience.
Sir Peter Jackson - director, writer and producer of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit - and producer Fran Walsh have both made significant contributions to the Hobbit holes’ development.
“There’s a sense of curiosity when you’re at Hobbiton and desire to venture beyond the door, but of course it’s remained closed, until now,” said Jackson.
“The team have done a fantastic job bringing the experience to life. It looks like it’s been lifted straight out of the pages of Tolkien’s books.”
The project was first conceptualised in 2014, with work starting in March. No small feat, the Hobbit holes are the largest development on the Hobbiton Movie Set since 2012, when the Green Dragon Inn - a fully functioning pub - opened its doors.
For visitors wanting to take the Hobbiton movie set tour, it will cost NZ$120 (US$74, €68, £58) for adults, with children aged 17 and under going for NZ$60 (US$37, €34, £29).
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