Don and the Burke’s Backyard team travelled to Matamata, a rural town in the Waikato region of the North Island. Matamata is well known for its racehorses and dairy farms, but also as one of the principal filming areas for the movie ‘The Lord of the Rings’.
In 1998 a farm was discovered that closely resembled Middle Earth, as described by Tolkien in his famous trilogy, ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Alexander Farm is a 500 hectare property running 100 beef cattle and more than 12,000 sheep. This property, with its spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges, was a dream come true for the film makers. A large established pine tree, later to become known as the ‘Party Tree’, was already perfectly placed in front of the lake. The surrounding rolling farmland was untouched by modern clutter, such as roads, buildings or powerlines.
In March 1999 site construction began, with heavy earthmoving equipment provided by the New Zealand Army. After nine months, Hobbiton was complete, and filming began. Filming was completed in three months and restoration work was carried out on the site.
Tour guide Henry ‘Horndog’ Horne showed Don around the Hobbiton movie set. Over the past nine months, Horndog has guided 11,000 visitors through the village. Although it was returned to its natural state after filming, 18 hobbit holes and parts of the film set can still be seen. They include the Party Tree and Bag End, the Hobbit hole of Bilbo Baggins and Frodo.
Matamata is about two hour’s drive south of Auckland on State Highway 27.
Rings Scenic Tours/Hobbiton Tours
Phone: 0011-64-7888-6838
Fax: 0011-64-7888-5653
Email: info@hobbitontours.com
Website: www.hobbitontours.com
Tours of Hobbiton run three times per day at 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm. (The 10am tour is suspended in the winter months.)