Best Areas to Stay Near Hobbiton, New Zealand

Matamata is a must-see destination for any fan of The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.

Matamata is a town located next to the Kaimai mountain range.

It is a small town that lived with its back turned to tourism until, in recent years, the mass arrival of the ringers (the name given to fans of the Tolkien saga) transformed it into a popular destination.

In addition to a compact shopping area with charming cafes, Matamata is home to Wairere Falls, overlooking the Waikato plains.

The Firth Tower Museum tells the story of the settlers in the region and is located in this area.

Matamata is the best area to stay near Hobbiton thanks to it being very close to the studios, and its quiet atmosphere.

Tauranga is a port city, the largest in the Bay of Plenty region, and the fifth most populous city in New Zealand.

This city houses historical buildings such as Elms Mission Station, a Georgian house from 1847.

A bridge over the port connects Tauranga with Mount Maunganui, a coastal city with saltwater pools and an extinct volcano with winding walking trails.

Tauranga is located 60 kilometres northeast of the Hobbiton Studios.

Tauranga is an excellent option when deciding where to stay to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set since it is possible to book tours that leave the city in advance. You can book a tour to Hobbiton here.

In addition to the tours with transportation to Hobbiton, one of the main advantages of Tauranga is that it has a city infrastructure, accommodation of all kinds, as well as cultural and natural attractions.

Hamilton is the closest large city to Hobbiton, and a natural stopping point if you want to visit the Lord of the Rings set from Auckland.

This city stands out for the Hamilton Gardens, a beautiful park with gardens designed in different styles.

At its centre, the city has a lively dining and entertainment scene around Victoria Street.

The advantage of Hamilton when deciding where to stay to visit Hobbiton is that, due to its size and attractions, staying in this city is more enjoyable than in the more rural options on this list.

Hamilton is located approximately 60 kilometres from the Hobbiton Movie Set, which is a 45-minute drive.

Another advantage of Hamilton is its wide variety of hotels, motels and apartments to stay.

Cambridge is a small city in the Waipa district, within the Waikato region.

It is located 24 kilometres southeast of the city of Hamilton, on the banks of the Waikato River.

This small New Zealand town offers rural charm mixed with various natural attractions such as Lake Karapiro, Maungakawa Scenic Reserve or Lake Te Koutu.

Cambridge is located approximately 40 kilometres from the Hobbiton Movie Set (about 30 minutes by road) and offers a variety of accommodation, from motels to hotels and bed & breakfasts.

In general, Cambridge has a more relaxed and less touristy atmosphere than Matamata.

It is important to note that Cambridge is especially recommended for travellers who have a car since the options of public transport or tours with transfers from the town to Hobbiton are very limited.