The Best Places to Stay Near Hobbiton, New Zealand

The movie set of Hobbiton was one of my favorite destinations during my cross country trip through New Zealand. It is cute, beautifully well kept, and full of fun insights into the creation of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films! I cannot recommend visiting Hobbiton enough – but it isn’t a super intuitive destination to build into your itineraries! We’ve got you covered on the best places to stay near Hobbiton based on your trip’s itinerary.

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Can You Sleep in Hobbiton?

Hobbiton is located on the northern island of New Zealand, and is actually built into a working farm in the country side.

Since it is a preserved movie set, with only a few structures that are truly built for human use (the rest just for hobbits!), you are unable to sleep over in the actual movie set hobbit holes themselves. You can take a photo in one of the door frames though, as we did above!

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some fun hobbit-themed accommodations nearby if that’s your preference!

Hobbit Hole Accommodations

If you want to maximize your Lord of the Rings experience on your visit to Hobbiton, you could elect to stay in some of the privately owned hobbit hole themed accommodations nearby!

• Hobbit Hole Guest House: this guest house is part of the Woodlyn Park accommodations in the town of Waitomo, only about an hour and 15 minute drive from the Hobbiton movie set!
• Underhill Valley Earth Huts: though not designed to look like a hobbit hole, you could also checkout the Underhill Valley Earth Huts in Whatawhata, Waikato, for a feel of how the hobbits build their houses right into the hills of the countryside! This seems like one of the dreamiest options to me 🙂 This commute to Hobbiton would also be about an hour and 10 minutes from your lodging.

Closest Accommodations to Hobbiton

If you’re okay with foregoing the idea of staying somewhere that looks like a hobbit hole, and just want to find the best accommodations that are close to Hobbiton, we’ve got your covered for that too!

• The Puna BnB: This guest house is the closest you can get to Hobbiton without staying in Hobbiton, with only a five minute drive to the “Shire’s Rest” lot where tours kick off from!
• The Cosy Country Stay: This is another guest house only a seven minute drive or so from the starting point to Hobbiton, known for its cozy feel and great location!

Staying in Matamata

If you’re not looking for a rural accommodation, and prefer to be within the bounds of a town center, you could check out the nearby town of Matamata! This small New Zealand city is only a fifteen minute drive from the Shire’s Rest of Hobbiton – making all of its lodging options a convenient location for the tours, with the added bonus of being able to walk around town for food before or after!

• Budget: Di’s Bed & Breakfast
• Popular: The Walnut Lodge

Staying in Hamilton

If you’re looking for a slightly bigger city with more hustle and bustle than the quiet town of Matamata, you could also check out the city of Hamilton about 45 minutes to the west of Hobbiton. This is a popular choice if you’re coming from that side of the island, as it typically provides a better base if you’re looking to do other things than just Hobbiton during your visit there.

• Budget: The Anglesea Motel
• Popular: The Quantum Lodge Motor Inn
• Campground: The Hamilton City Holiday Park

Staying in Rotorua

A similar option to Hamilton by distance, about an hour to the east of Hobbiton is the city of Rotorua, a popular vacation town on the water! This is where we ultimately chose to stay as it worked in well with the rest of our drive through New Zealand, and was a fairly easy drive out and back to Hobbiton.

• Budget Hostel: Rock Solid Backpackers
• Popular Pick: Rydges Rotorua Hotel
• Luxury Hotel: Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel

Staying in Auckland

Last but not least, Hobbiton is also a popular day trip from one of the northern island’s major cities: Auckland. A two hour drive to Hobbiton, this journey is typically coordinated through a tour agency when traveling this far to ensure you arrive at your scheduled tour time correctly, but it can also be done on your own if you prefer to drive yourself! Either way, Auckland is another popular place to stay if your itinerary has you flying into the major international airport and staying there!

• Budget: The Lylo Auckland Hostel
• Popular: The Ramada Suites
• Luxury: The Park Hyatt Auckland
• Tour from Auckland: Hobbiton Day Tour

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About the Author: Hi, I’m Jill! I am a biomedical & mechanical engineer who loves traveling during my free time. My hope is to help make it easier for others to plan their dream trips by providing firsthand experience from the places I’ve been! Read More.