Hobbiton

Leaving Waitomo, we had a huge day ahead of us. We were heading to Rotorua to do the Maouri experience evening (which will have to be a whole other post) and on the way to Rotourua we stopped off at the amazing Hobbiton for a day trip.



New Zealand's landscape can be spotted in many scenes of the Lord of the Rings films, so Peter Jackson wanted to create Hobbiton, or 'The Shire' here as well. He sent out a brief to his people, for the kind of farm he wanted and it had to have water, and a large tree for the party scene in the film. Someone came across this farm, and called Peter up to say they think they found what he was looking for. He came to look at the farm and was happy with it fitting his vision, and so work was started to create Hobbiton.

Our guide told us how to create the illusion of height difference, and said taller people should stand near smaller doors to appear the size of wizards, and smaller people to stand near the larger doors to look like hobbits.

Unfortunatly, a lot of Hobbiton is only an illusion, so the cute little houses are only doors stuck on, with no cosy house behind them, and a lot of the filming in doors was done at another location. Nevertheless, no detail was spared, and you can see tiny hobbit clothes drying on washing lines, little ladders perched against trees, and other small objects that look as if they have been casually left there.

One of the most iconic houses in Hobbiton is 'Bag End' where Bilbo Baggins resides.  This is the only house that has something beyond the door, however you can only go up to the gate to peek inside. It also has the famous "No admittance except on party business" sign on the gate.

On top of the hill at Bag end is a large tree which is really green! Tom was fascinated with this tree, and apparently each leaf was sewn on to give it the green colour. In windier weather, the leaves often fall off so if you find one you can take one home!

From 'Bag End' you certainly get the best view of the Shire.



At the end of the tour, you are urged to go to the Green Dragon pub and grab a beer,

The pub is small and cosy, and we all tried a local cider which was very tasty. Again no detail was spared in here, and even the toilets were Hobbity! There were also clothes to dress up in to get into the character of a Green Dragon local.

Another great picture of Mindy's just outside the pub with our group!

On our walk out of Hobbiton we got one final view of the tiny village, and were also lucky enough to see a star in the film!

Peter Jackson wanted all the farms sheep to be changed as they looked to modern, so he brought in herds of different sheep who were fluffier and had darker faces. After the film, they were all taken away again apart from one, who was eating grass in a nearby field, so we were lucky yo catch a glimpse of someone who was actually in the film.

Finally we got the coach back to our Kiwi bus, and started our journey to Rotorua where the Maori experience evening would begin!