A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug.
Dome Summit Track, TaupΕ District, Waikato, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Scene: (Rhudaur)
Wyndham Vacation Resorts Wanaka, 109, Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road, Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago, 9305, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Scene: (Rhudaur)
Peter Jackson returned to Middle-earth by returning to New Zealand, whose mountains, rivers and rolling green hills had already made the country synonymous with Tolkien. This time Hobbiton was a permanent set – now one of New Zealand’s most-visited attractions.
Where was The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey filmed?
The Hobbit was filmed across New Zealand – Hobbiton in Matamata, Fiordland, the Mackenzie country and Waikato – with pickups at Pinewood Studios.
Every Hobbit location, explained
1
Hobbiton – Matamata
The Shire is the permanent Hobbiton movie set near Matamata in the Waikato, now a hugely popular tourist attraction.
2
The wild lands – Fiordland and Mackenzie
The dramatic wilderness used Fiordland in the south and the Mackenzie high country of Canterbury.
3
Trollshaws and the road east
The company’s journey used the forests and river country of the Waitomo and wider Waikato districts.
4
Pinewood – the pickups
Additional pickup work used Pinewood Studios in England.
Planning a visit
The Hobbiton movie set near Matamata is a permanent, walkable film location open daily – the single best Middle-earth pilgrimage – and Fiordland and the Mackenzie country offer New Zealand’s grandest scenery.
The Hobbit Fun Facts
1
Hobbiton is permanent Unlike the original trilogy’s temporary set, Hobbiton was rebuilt to last and is now a major tourist attraction.
2
Shot at 48 frames per second Jackson filmed in a then-novel high-frame-rate format for extra clarity.
3
A whole country as Middle-earth New Zealand’s varied landscapes let one nation play an entire fantasy world.
4
One book, three films Tolkien’s slim novel was expanded into a full trilogy.
5
Real sheep, real hills The Shire’s rolling farmland is genuine New Zealand pasture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was The Hobbit filmed?
Across New Zealand – Hobbiton in Matamata, Fiordland, the Mackenzie country and Waikato – with pickups at Pinewood.
Can you visit Hobbiton?
Yes – the Hobbiton movie set near Matamata is a permanent attraction open to visitors daily.
Is The Hobbit filmed in the same place as Lord of the Rings?
Yes – both were filmed across New Zealand.
Who directed The Hobbit?
Peter Jackson.
Where is the Shire?
At the Hobbiton set near Matamata in New Zealand’s Waikato region.
