Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Hamilton: Small-Group Guided Experience

The Green Dragon Inn is a real working pub inside the movie set where you drink as a guest of Middle-earth.

A small-group tour from Hamilton to the Hobbiton Movie Set, a 12-acre film location where scenes from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" were shot. You travel through the Waikato countryside, stop at Alexander Family Sheep Farm and Shire's Rest, then board a green Hobbiton bus for a 2.5-hour guided walk of 44 hobbit holes, gardens and landmarks, ending with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn. The tour runs 4.5 to 5 hours round-trip and includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Hamilton, an English-speaking guide, bottled water and snacks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves

• Depart from Hamilton city
• Drive through Waikato countryside
• Visit Spellbound Glowworm Caves
• Stop at Alexander Family Sheep Farm
• Enjoy meal or coffee at Shire's Rest
• Board Hobbiton bus for guided tour
• Explore hobbit holes and gardens
• Hear behind-the-scenes film stories
• Drink at Green Dragon Inn
• Drive back to Hamilton

The experience

You start from your Hamilton accommodation and drive roughly 1 hour 15 minutes through the Waikato countryside to reach the Hobbiton site. The route passes through rural farmland, and your guide uses the drive to set up what you'll see on the set itself. The journey ends at Alexander Family Sheep Farm and Shire's Rest, where sheep graze on the hills and you can grab coffee, a meal or ice cream before the main event.

Once your guide has your group ready, you board one of the iconic green buses that ferry visitors onto the 12-acre movie set. The 2.5-hour guided tour covers 44 hobbit holes built into the hillside, the gardens and pathways between them, and significant landmarks like the Green Dragon Inn. Your guide is an official Hobbiton expert who shares behind-the-scenes stories from filming both trilogies. The set stays exactly as it was left after production wrapped, so you're walking through the actual locations where the films were shot, not a recreation.

The tour ends with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn, a fully functioning pub inside the movie set where you sit among the props and architecture built for the films. After that, you board the bus back to the vehicle and drive back to Hamilton, arriving roughly 4.5 to 5 hours after you left. The air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water and snacks are included throughout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hamilton.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• entry to the fully guided 2.5-hour Hobbiton Movie Set tour.
• a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
• bottled water and snacks.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:30

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 11

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Expedigo Tours and Travels Hamilton

Is this one for you?A small-group format means you move at a steady pace with one expert guide rather than in a large crowd, which suits anyone who wants to hear the behind-the-scenes stories clearly and ask questions without shouting. The fixed itinerary and included pickup from Hamilton work best if you're staying in the city and don't want to arrange your own transport to the set.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 14 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is on the Hobbiton Movie Set that I'll see?

The 12-acre set includes 44 hobbit holes carved into the hillside, manicured gardens, pathways, and landmarks like the Green Dragon Inn and the Mill. Everything was built for filming "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" and remains standing as it was left after production ended.

How long do I actually spend walking around the movie set itself?

The guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set runs 2.5 hours. The full day, including travel from Hamilton and time at Alexander Family Sheep Farm, is 4.5 to 5 hours round-trip.

Is the Green Dragon Inn drink included, or do I pay extra?

The complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn is included in the tour price. You choose what you'd like when you arrive at the pub, and it's covered as part of the experience.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the meeting point, or is pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hamilton are included in the tour. You'll be collected from your accommodation and returned there at the end of the day.

How many people are usually in the group?

This is a small-group tour, which means the group stays small enough for a more personalized experience with your guide, though the exact number can vary by departure date.