A Magical Farewell: Here Comes Hobbiton!
If there was ever a must-do on our New Zealand adventure, it was Hobbiton. As lifelong fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, we had been counting down to this moment. And let us tell you—it did not disappoint.
We set off with Neil, our trusty guide, for one last road trip, making our way from Rotorua to Alexander’s Farm, just outside of Auckland. Fun fact: This 1,250-acre sheep and cow farm was discovered by Peter Jackson while scouting for the perfect place to bring The Shire to life. Spoiler alert: He nailed it.
Exploring The Shire
The docent-led tour lasted about three hours, and we soaked up every single second. Our walking tour through The Shire took us past 44 perfectly crafted hobbit holes, including the legendary Bag End, the Green Dragon Inn, and the festival grounds. It’s safe to say we were living our full-blown Hobbit fantasy.
We took way too many photos, but how could we not? Every single detail was meticulously designed, from the hobbit-sized laundry lines and tiny beehives to the gardens bursting with vegetables and flowers. Each hobbit hole was personalized—some “residents” sold honey and bread, while others were clearly home to scholars, bakers, and artists. It truly felt alive.
Inside a Hobbit Hole
A major highlight? We got to go inside a fully decked-out hobbit hole! There are only two that visitors can enter, and we chose Proudfoot’s home (yes, we kept saying “Proudfeet!” like Bilbo). Inside, a roaring fire crackled in the hearth, making it feel cozy and inviting. The twelve-room dwelling featured a living room, kitchen, bedroom, children’s room, and a pantry, among others. We didn’t want to leave!
Party Like a Hobbit
Next up: the festival grounds, where Bilbo threw his 111th birthday party. Of course, no visit to Hobbiton is complete without a stop at the Green Dragon Inn, where we enjoyed a cup of cider (sadly, no second breakfast was included). Lunch was served buffet-style in the Party Marquee, and we shared a feast with fellow travelers from Spain (currently living in Dubai) and the UK, swapping travel stories and tips.
Saying Goodbye to The Shire
The only disappointment? Mike didn’t get to meet any real hobbits. We’re still holding out hope that they just weren’t ready to reveal themselves to us!
Leaving Hobbiton was bittersweet, but Auckland was calling. We bid farewell to Neil, who had been an incredible guide, and checked into our hotel for the night. There, we joined the welcome reception for the Grand Spice Tour, where we started meeting the folks we’d be adventuring with next.
It was a full day of first-time experiences, movie magic, and amazing memories—the perfect way to wrap up our unforgettable journey through New Zealand. But the adventure isn’t over yet… we still have one more night in New Zealand after we set sail on our cruise, with our first stop at the Bay of Islands!
