Friday 10 -18-13 - Hobbiton
SO we woke up this morning and decided that we had to go to Hobbiton. Just a short detour on our way to Whitianga ! Now we have never seen the Lord of the Rings movies, there are about 1,000 other things to do here, we wanted to be to Whitianga by md afternoon and had no idea how long the whole tour/trip would take. We drove back to Matamata, bought our tickets, then drove out to the movie set. The set is an actual sheep farm, and the scenery is beyond spectacular. Basically once there, at the Shire’s rest, you board a 1945 school bus with a driver and guide, and they drive for about fifteen minutes past three different gated and locked areas through the hills to the set. The set is the actual set where they filmed the movie. The movie company was suppose to tear the entire set down after the movie but rain postponed the destruction for about 7 months. By this time locals had started to show up to see the set, then the family who owned the sheep farm made a deal with the movie company to keep all of the sets as they were, then eventually opened up the sight as a our destination. We were in awe of the realistic appearance of the entire set, the beauty and craftsmanship, and actually left wanting to see the movie just so we could see the sets in action. The only life size building that you coud enter was the Green Dragon pulb which was identical to the movie , and we enjoyed being at the pub and having a spot of tea by the fire. I am only spending some time on this entry so that if anyone is a fan, you may enjoy this.
The following info. is from the tour description:
In Sept. of 1998, Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema discovered the Alexander farm during an aerial search for suitable film sites. The fantastic views and rolling countryside of the Alexander farm closely resembles the Middle-earth as described by Tolkien. The farm was perfect. The large established pine tree, later to become known as the “party tree”, was already perfect; placed in front of the lake. The surrounding rolling farmland was untouched by the 20th century clutter such as road buildings and power lines. Site construction started in March 1999. Initially this involved heavy earthmoving machinery provided by the New Zealand army. Total site construction took nine months. Through out the construction and filming all activity on the site was kept under strict security due to commercial restraints by the movie company. Filming commences in December 1999 and continued for three months At its peak 400 people we on site including Peter Jackson, Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellan) Frodo (Elijah Woods), Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) and Sam (Sean Austin).
SO we woke up this morning and decided that we had to go to Hobbiton. Just a short detour on our way to Whitianga ! Now we have never seen the Lord of the Rings movies, there are about 1,000 other things to do here, we wanted to be to Whitianga by md afternoon and had no idea how long the whole tour/trip would take. We drove back to Matamata, bought our tickets, then drove out to the movie set. The set is an actual sheep farm, and the scenery is beyond spectacular. Basically once there, at the Shire’s rest, you board a 1945 school bus with a driver and guide, and they drive for about fifteen minutes past three different gated and locked areas through the hills to the set. The set is the actual set where they filmed the movie. The movie company was suppose to tear the entire set down after the movie but rain postponed the destruction for about 7 months. By this time locals had started to show up to see the set, then the family who owned the sheep farm made a deal with the movie company to keep all of the sets as they were, then eventually opened up the sight as a our destination. We were in awe of the realistic appearance of the entire set, the beauty and craftsmanship, and actually left wanting to see the movie just so we could see the sets in action. The only life size building that you coud enter was the Green Dragon pulb which was identical to the movie , and we enjoyed being at the pub and having a spot of tea by the fire. I am only spending some time on this entry so that if anyone is a fan, you may enjoy this.
The following info. is from the tour description:
In Sept. of 1998, Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema discovered the Alexander farm during an aerial search for suitable film sites. The fantastic views and rolling countryside of the Alexander farm closely resembles the Middle-earth as described by Tolkien. The farm was perfect. The large established pine tree, later to become known as the “party tree”, was already perfect; placed in front of the lake. The surrounding rolling farmland was untouched by the 20th century clutter such as road buildings and power lines. Site construction started in March 1999. Initially this involved heavy earthmoving machinery provided by the New Zealand army. Total site construction took nine months. Through out the construction and filming all activity on the site was kept under strict security due to commercial restraints by the movie company. Filming commences in December 1999 and continued for three months At its peak 400 people we on site including Peter Jackson, Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellan) Frodo (Elijah Woods), Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) and Sam (Sean Austin).
First we drove to Matamata where we learned we had to go about another miles o the actual movie set
Arriving to the movie set
This guy stood guard to make sure there were no trespassers
From the pick up lot en route to the actual set via bus
our bus driver
We finally arrived ! Although Jon and I had not seen any of the movies - This whole movie set - town was breath taking - all is was missing was the little people ! All the following picture are taken at eh set - it still hard to believe that none of this is a real town !
