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
"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
Everything about this tour was amazing! Our tour guide Julie is a true LOTR fan, and made sure everybody was looked after. The locations were well researched and meaningful. Even after the tour ended, Julie has kept in touch as we all went our separate ways and travelled home to various parts of...
Jody R
I don’t have enough good things to say about this incredible experience. Our guide Julie is so knowledgeable and fun about everything LOTR AND New Zealand in general! My husband and I went for our belated honeymoon and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. You’re fed like Hobbits...
Taylor & Nick L
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
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
I went solo and am a bit of an introvert, but Julie and the rest of the tour members made this an unforgettable experience and made me feel right at home. This was number one on my bucket list and it exceeded my expectations across the board. If you're contemplating booking this tour, just...
Jordan M
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
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
Just returned as part of the February 2023 Fellowship with Red Carpet Tours and it was one of the best trips of my life. I've been wanting to do this for years and was worried my expectations might be too high, but it was amazing and I wish it didn't have to end! Love the family...
Emily V
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