After the tour we caught a bus into Matamata where there is a wonderful visitors center. We met up with our tour group there to have lunch on our way to Auckland - the last city on our 3 1/2 week tour.
The only way you can get in is with a tour. I really really wanted to take a picture of our bus driver. She looked sooooo much like a hobbit it was uncanny!
This is the Shire's Rest....food, tickets, toilets, and a high end gift shop with really neat LOTR memorabilia. Everything on the property was well done...neat and clean. They have done it up right....like Disney.
We ended up taking our jackets off - it was a glorious day.
The walking tour began here. Our guide was Jordan. She was patient and kind, easy to listen to.
Originally the set took 2 1/2 years to prepare. They found the property from aerial views. They took it all out when the filming was done - then rebuilt it with a permanent view in mind when they shot The Hobbit here. It's been open to the public since then. The crowds in summer are said to be overwhelming. Glad we didn't come then. We were rushed a bit by the tours behind us even now.
The garden
Little Windows and chimneys stick up out of nowhere...
Fun little settings at the 44 hobbit homes/holes.
Such attention to details!
Loved the little touches like the laundry hanging out. At every twist and turn there was another surprise!
This was Bilbo Baggins hole...
What can I say - just darling little touches everywhere.
This is Bilbo Baggins home. The inside scenes were shot elsewhere so you couldn't go inside.
The signposts were fun and the mailboxes so cute.
The orchards...
The Green Dragon bar - we got a free drink here at a short rest stop.
Remember the birthday party here?
An overlook with the Green Dragon set beyond the pond.
A very scenic little mill...
More shots at the Green Dragon
Loved this little spot!
Three little holes hidden in the hill...
Even the visitors center in Matamata got in on the fun...
What a great morning!!
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