Hobbiton's cruise control

Weta creative director Sir Richard Taylor, centre, flanked by The Hobbit actors, from left, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, John Callen and Peter Hambleton at Hobbiton near Matamata yesterday. Photo / Christine Cornege

Matamata's Hobbiton movie set last night hosted a group of international cruise customers accompanied by some Hobbit cast and crew.

Crystal Cruises chose Hobbiton to host its 25th anniversary celebrations for 500-plus clientele, with organisers hoping it will help put New Zealand on the world stage.

Hobbit actors Mark Hadlow, John Callen, Jed Brophy and Peter Hambleton mingled with the passengers on their guided 1.2km trek around the movie set.

Hobbiton has come a long way since it opened in December 2002 by hosting a half-full 12-seater van.

Last year more than 300,000 people visited, with people having to be turned away yesterday because of last night's exclusive event.

In farm hills owned by the Alexander family, they were treated to new night lighting and a market, a laser show and guest appearance by Smaug, the smoke-billowing, fire breathing dragon, thanks to Weta creative director Richard Taylor.

Hadlow said it was his fourth time back at the set, which seemed to grow in detail with every visit.

"Whether you're following the Lord of the Rings or Hobbit movies or not, if you come along here and have a look you will see that every aspect is done to the most fantastic level of craft and design. It's spooky, it's like being in the movie."

Cruise guest Linda Gravelee, of Alabama, was in awe of the set's authenticity after watching the movie in anticipation.

"It's awesome, it's one of the highlights of the whole cruise. To be greeted by all the Hobbiton people and everyone is so friendly."

Hobbiton general manager Russell Alexander was modest when asked about the continual development of the site and added extras, which now includes night lighting to accommodate night tours.

"There's lots of people, it's not just one person we're part of a team."

Although it was hard not to get excited when discussing last night's event, and Alexander could hardly contain his grin when he informed the Herald that it was Crystal's 20th world cruise and it was the only venue the company had visited three times. "This is the target market New Zealand wants and hopefully we're providing something to draw them in."