The Shire - otherwise known as Hobbiton - is a village of 44 hobbit holes dug into the hillside, surrounded by hobbit gardens and orchards, and the fertile pastures of a sheep and cattle farm owned and operated by the Alexander family.
The newest addition to Hobbiton is the Green Dragon Inn, opened in December 2012.
The 12-acre movie set in gentle rolling hills and on a quiet country road near the farming town of Matamata, is a two-hour drive from Auckland and within easy access of other tourist destinations including Rotorua, Waitomo, Tauranga and the city of Hamilton.
Location of Hobbiton
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Distance from Matamata = 20km; Hamilton = 43km; Rotorua = 74km; Auckland = 180km
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Matamata population:13,000; 6000 (town), 7,000 (rural)
Hobbiton Farm
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Farm area: 1250 acres or 500 hectares
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Farm stock: 13,500 sheep, 350 - 400 beef cattle
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Farm production: lamb, beef, wool
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Visitor numbers: 240,000 in 2013 / more than 800,000 since opening 12 years ago
Hobbiton Movie Set
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Film set area: covers approximately 12 acres
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Hobbit houses: 44 hobbit holes
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Roads: 8km created
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Party tree: 70 - 80 metres tall
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Construction: 70 set builders
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Catering: During production, three meals were served daily to cast and crew, plus snacks on demand for 600+ people
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Gardens: 2.3km (and growing) hedges; 30 - 200 plants around each hobbit house
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Ground staff: 7 - 8 gardeners during height of season, 5 in winter
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Traditional ales, cider and non alcoholic ginger beer, all brewed exclusively for Hobbiton, are served from barrels behind the bar at the Green Dragon Inn