When I first saw the rolling green hills in the area surrounding Matamata, New Zealand, I wasn’t surprised that Peter Jackson chose the Alexander Farm as the place were Hobbiton would be built.
The only way to see the set is to take a guided tour, with a tour bus called Gandalf. The set itself is very nice, though not as Hobbitish as it appeared in the LotR movies. The buildings (pub, bridge and mill) and about half of the 37 Hobbit holes have been removed, as well as the gardens, fields and even the paint on the round doors! It was still very peaceful and quiet, and the absence of roads and buildings was another reason why it was so perfect.
The large pine tree on the edge of a little lake was also important. This tree is, of course, the Party Tree. However, some things had to be brought in from other areas. The oak tree on Bag End was one of those things. It was chopped down in Matamata, cut into pieces, put together on the set and decorated with hundreds of fake oak leaves.
And then there were the small details which no one would probably even notice, but Peter Jackson didn’t forget them. Next to one of the Hobbit holes were two small native New Zealand trees. Of course there couldn’t be any native NZ trees in the movies, but instead of chopping them down, Jackson covered them with fake leaves and branches so that no one would see that they were native trees.
But the best thing about the tour was, of course, visiting Bag End! There was actually a small space inside it, and you could stick your head out of the windows and stand in the door opening, which was Hobbit-sized!
I really loved this tour, and if you ever get the chance to go there, do it! You might be a little disappointed because it’s not the same as in the LotR movies, but it’s definitely worth it. Just remember to bring your camera and your Precious, of course!
by Celedë_Anthaas
