Reporter Mitchell Hageman experiences a previously unseen glimpse of the famous Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, with a new behind-the-scenes tour now open. Video / Mitchell Hageman
Review by Mitchell Hageman
Mitchell is a Multimedia Journalist with the New Zealand Herald.
The tour includes a guided walk, a Green Dragon Inn beverage, and a themed banquet lunch.
The Hobbiton Movie Set is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist attractions, and a new behind-the-scenes experience only heightens the movie magic, writes Mitchell Hageman.
Ever wanted to peer inside the minds of those responsible for one of the greatest movie franchises of all time?
Now you can, witha newly opened behind-the-scenes experience at the Hobbiton Movie Set showing fans the craftsmanship that goes into bringing The Lord of the Rings’ The Shire to life.
A first timer to what could be described as one of New Zealand’s most iconic tourist attractions, I journeyed to Matamata to check it out.
Inside the art department workshop at Hobbiton Matamata. Photo / Shaun Jeffers
Nestled among the grassy knolls in the hills of Matamata is a sea of sheep, baaing with glee as they basked under the warm summer sun.
I hadn’t seen any Hobbits at that stage of my unexpected journey, but quintessentially Kiwi scenes greeted me as I sat at the Hobbiton Shire’s Rest Cafe, preparing to board the bright green bus that would soon transport me into the realm of Middle-earth.
Although I’m no stranger to the TheLord of the Rings and TheHobbit trilogies having seen them both two times over, I had shamefully never before made the two-and a-bit hour trip from Auckland to get to the famed movie set before my latest experience.
The first tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set was in2002, and thousands of people from around the world have visited since then.
Numerous expansions have since taken place, and the new tour encompasses both the history and the future of the famed location.
From viewing never-before-seen artwork to being able to touch and feel some exclusive art department props, the new tour truly puts you in the realm of some of the world’s greatest creative minds.
Herald entertainment reporter Mitchell Hageman at the picnic overlook at the new behind-the-scenes tour at Hobbiton Matamata. Photo / Mitchell Hageman
What to expect on your tour
The great thing about this new exclusive experience is you get the best of both worlds.
Not only is there a fully guided walking tour around the movie set, where guests journey past colourful Hobbit hole doors and see authentic interiors of Bag End and Bagshot Row, but also a chance to go to places previously inaccessible to the general public.
In fact, the first foray into behind the scenes starts as early as the five-minute bus ride to the set from the Shire’s Rest.
We are shown a video of Sir Peter explaining how he and his team of art directors crafted the sets for the iconic movies, while the bus makes its way through the picturesque landscape.
Groups of up to 28 can take this tour, which is significantly smaller and more exclusive than the general one.
Hobbiton's Bagshot Row by Tilt Architecture. Photo / Supplied
After walking in the footsteps of Bilbo Baggins and seeing the sets in all their glory, we are then able to quench our thirst at the world-famous Green Dragon Inn for a complimentary Hobbit Southfarthing beverage.
This is followed by a private banquet lunch fit for a Hobbit at The Millhouse across the path, with picturesque lakeside views and a fully themed dining experience.
A banquet fit for a Hobbit. Photo / Shaun Jeffers
Developer of the tour, Luke Edwards was our guide for the day.
A wealth of knowledge on the lore of Hobbiton and the films, he explained the intent of the tour was to not only immerse people in the world of Middle-earth, but to give a sense of how projects of this scale are created.
“It came about because fans have always wanted to know the process in bringing Middle-earth to life. I think that was a hunger that started with the films,” he said.
“When we opened our tourism operation, the size of the movie set demanded a huge amount of work from our art department. People just wanted to know what the process was and how is it all done, and we finally leapt at the opportunity to expand the art department and invite people in and show them what goes on behind the scenes.”
Tour guide and experience creator Luke Edwards explains the "Concept Room," full of previously unseen drawings and models. Photo / Mitchell Hageman
Our first behind-the-scenes peak was in the “concept room” which features never-before-seen artwork from artists John Howe and Alan Lee, who served as chief conceptual designers for TheLord of the Rings films.
It’s a gallery of all the previous artwork that underpins both the films and Hobbiton’s journey into tourism.
The walls are plastered with beautiful sketches and art pieces that only limited eyes have seen to date, as well as a workable model of The Shire that acts as the room’s stunning centrepiece.
“We try not to stray too far from the films. Change comes slowly in Hobbiton, but when we do branch out into a new direction, it’s very important that we refer back to our roots and in that way, we keep the continuity and the authenticity that our fans know us for,” Edwards explained.
He said even the biggest fans don’t fully understand how much work goes into keeping the place show-ready for thousands every day.
“I think to see it in person and to interact with it and to hear the stories, I think it just enhances their viewing experience when they sit back down and watch the films again”.
Next, we were allowed into the workshop, featuring hundreds of props, costumes and set dressing items for us to interact with.
Luke Edwards describing some of the intricate woodwork involved in the making of Hobbiton. Photo / Mitchell Hageman
You’re even allowed to touch some of the props, so no surprise I sat down and had a quick read of The Shire’s weekly newspaper and attempted to eat a fake apple.
“We want people to interact with the environment, especially with the interior Hobbit hole. And so we feel that the art department should be no different,” Edwards said.
He also added that people could ask as many questions as they wanted about any aspect of Hobbiton and the workshop, meaning every tour could be catered to what guests wanted to know.
The adventure concluded with a short stroll along some of Hobbiton’s more secluded paths.
Walking past working artists and landscapers, our group was ushered to a small clearing and ducked through a bush to one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.
The picnic spot overlooking The Shire. Photo / Shaun Jeffers
Overlooking the enchanting village and rolling green hills of the Waikato countryside, the special perch is the perfect place to be treated to a delicious dessert of fine cheeses, seasonal fruit and a glass of champagne or non-alcoholic beverage.
We were even shown a special, custom-made cart that stores the tasty treats, specifically made to look like a barrow from the film.
Hobbiton Movie Set chief executive Russell Alexander said this experience has been “years in the making” and you can see that every little detail has been thought about.
A specially designed cart themed to Middle-earth treats guests to goodies. Photo / Shaun Jeffers
From the food served to the exclusive locations you can access, it’s an absolute joy for fans of the films and those with an interest in movie magic alike.
And, as Edwards told me earlier, the beauty is that no tour will ever be the same.
The details
What: Hobbiton Behind The Scenes Tour
Where: Tours depart from The Shires Rest, 501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera, in Matamata, four times a week. Check website for departure times.
