travel south pacific new zealand hobbiton tourist amenities
When first arriving at Hobbiton, you come to The Shire's Rest where you park in a large lot behind the Gift Shop, Ticket, and Restaurant complex.
Buses will take you the final half-mile to the entrance to Hobbiton through sheep inhabited farmland.
This way, the village is nicely hidden visually from other distracting sights.
It also helps to create the sense of entering another world.
The bus drop off at the village is further hidden from the village by landscaping berms completing the time-warp.
The only way to see the village and Hobbit holes is by guided tour from the Green Dragon tavern on the shore of the lake.
Although there must be hundreds of visitors on tour at the same time, the groups stay, more or less, adequately separated allowing for good photo opportunities.
The tour seemed to last about an hour and a half.
The main downside to the tour is that there are no restrooms along the way, so be sure and use the facilities at the Green Dragon.
TRAVEL: 2018...
This location has earned a four star (very good) rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
****
unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Shire's Rest, Entrance complex at Hobbiton, New Zealand, 2018.
Picnic and waiting area, Shire's Rest, Hobbiton, New Zealand, 2018.
Pewter goblet souvenirs, Shire's Rest gift shop, Hobbiton, New Zealand, 2018.
Souvenirs, Shire's Rest gift shop, Hobbiton, New Zealand, 2018.
Lynn and I shared a tastey wrap while waiting for our tour, Shire's Rest, Hobbiton, New Zealand, 2018.
Bus drop-off and pick-up at entrance to the actual village of Hobbiton, New Zealand, 2018.
Notice how landscape berming shields sight lines from Hobbiton beyond.
Daisy Grubb gift shop, last stop at the entrance to Hobbiton, New Zealand, 2018.
Interior of Daisy Grubb gift shop, Hobbiton, New Zealand, 2018.
Gandalf figurine, Daisy Grubb gift shop, Hobbiton, New Zealand, 2018.
Me, wearing my Huntsman World Senior Games Hobbits Volleyball team shirt at Hobbiton, New Zealand, 2018.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised july 2021