Hobbit Set in New Zealand

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Sorry we haven’t posted in a couple of days - New Zealand kept us busy! The visit to the Hobbit set from Lord of the Rings was lovely. Crystal Cruises provided this as a free treat for all guests, so attendance was heavy. We had half a dozen or so large buses that took us for the trip, over an hour from the urban area where we docked. Truth to tell, I was only vaguely aware that LOTR was filmed in NZ, but it’s a big deal here. Thanks to it, tourism is said to be overtaking food exports as their chief industry. The buses took us to a beautiful isolated area on a cattle farm with a little lake and the big “party tree” in the opening scenes of the first movie. Around this was a hastily constructed (for our benefit) medieval village street scene, with many local citizens and children barefoot and in Hobbit dress, Morris dancers and street entertainers, and bounteous food booths set up with grilled chicken, lamb chops, roast corn and other delicacies. All the major characters in the films were there in costume, some of the baddies standing menacingly on the hills around the lake with dark riders coursing about on horses. A few Hobbit holes are still there, mostly I understand through accident because heavy rains started just as the film crews were putting the property back to its natural state. Afterwards, the family who owned the farm began to get requests from local citizens to come out and see the place, so a new tourist attraction was born. But they are prudently holding onto their cattle and sheep. We had a great time chowing down and hobnobbing with the Hobbits, and afterwards there were fireworks over the little lake while we stood around the Party Tree and watched. It was a great evening, and well worth the long ride to and from the farm. (And finally, Dick knows what it’s all about!) Many thanks to those of you who’ve written. Mail is most appreciated! Mary

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Photos

Hobbit Set
Hobbit homes on the hill above the lake

Street Entertainers
Musicians and a jester in the tree

The Party Tree
The big tree in the opening scenes of the first LOTR movie

Street Entertainers
Morris dancers and stilt dancer

Ship's Captain
The captain of our ship, the Crystal Serenity, in a character costume at Hobbiton

In case of rain
One of the pavilions where we ate - fortunately there was no rain!

Fireworks
A surprise finish to the evening - fireworks over the lake. The Hobbiton staff said we were the biggest group they had ever hosted, and they went all out for us.

Comments

[anonymous]

i love lord of the rings! - maddy

[Roimata]

royalty
you know being royal is not a big thing at all and you guys are probably wondering how i know that well i am royal i am related to taufaahau and his cousin is my great grandad tuihalamaka my mums name is sesilia and all my anties names are pua, vaimoana and isalae my grandads name is kitiona and his last name is sione so i think you all should try and find old photos of the royal family back then so yea ok then see ya

[Catherine]

INTERESTING!!
Hi. I'm a real LOTR's fan and I really hope to visit this site around june. Can you please tell me how it is that you got there and other general informations in getting here. Such as the cost, place, tours? Thanks. If you can tell me anything at all, it will be really appreciated. Thanks. Please email me at [e-mail]