The Behind The Scenes Tour is our newest tour experience.

After a tour of Hobbiton Movie Set and private lunch experience in The Millhouse, you will step foot into a real Art Department workshop for a glimpse behind-the-scenes, before continuing on the journey and enjoying a special Hobbit style platter with a view.

To ensure that all visitors get the full experience, the only way to see the behind-the-scenes areas is by joining the Behind The Scenes Tour.

Yes, we operate in all weather conditions. Umbrellas are provided in the event of rain and we highly recommend you dress appropriately for the weather, with enclosed footwear.

In the event of extreme weather conditions we reserve the right to make alternative tour arrangements for you.

You will find detailed information about accessibility on our accessibility page here. If you have any further questions or need assistance with making your booking, please feel welcome to contact our team.

When you are searching for a tour on our website, there are four statuses that may appear - No Departure, Fully Booked, Book Now - Limited Places and Book Now. 

No Departure means that the tour experience you are searching for is not available on that date. 

Fully Booked means that all tickets for that tour experience on that date are sold out. 

Book Now - Limited Places will appear with a gold button and red writing below. This means that there are only a small amount of tickets left (9 or less) for that tour experience on that date. We recommend booking as soon as possible if you are hoping to join one of these tours as when tickets are fully booked we cannot increase capacity. 

Book Now will appear with a gold button with white writing on it. This means that there are greater than 10 seats available for that tour experience on that date. We still recommend pre-booking as far in advance as you can to avoid missing the tour day and time that best suits your itinerary. 

If you are going to be late for your tour, we recommend you call us as soon as you are able to so we can discuss options with you. If you are unable to call us and arrive late, we will do our best to put you on the next available tour departure. Please note that if we are extremely busy, the next available tour may be several hours later, and in rare occurrences may not be on the same day.

You will spend 30 minutes inside the Art Department’s workshop learning about how the Hobbiton magic is created.

While the Art Department’s workshop is a real working space, your tour guide will be guiding you through the workshop sharing fascinating insight into the creation and maintenance of Hobbiton Movie Set. Our crafts people are often busily working on the Movie Set, so we can not guarantee that they will be in the workshop during your visit.

Absolutely! We encourage you to take photos and capture memories while on tour with us.

Please use handheld equipment only as drone use is not permitted and be aware that any photos and video recordings taken on set are for personal use only and not to be sold or distributed for commercial gain due to our licensing agreements with the film companies.

The Art Department’s workshop is designed to be as interactive as possible. As the pieces on display will change as our crafts people work on them, your tour guide will let you know what is available to interact with during your visit.

Please refrain from taking any props from the Art Department’s workshop or anywhere on the Movie Set. Our wonderful Set Dressing team put a lot of effort into creating these for all of our visitors to enjoy so please think of those who will be visiting after you.

Yes, as this is a workspace, footwear is required inside the Art Department’s workshop.

Yes, the Behind The Scenes tour is designed for the whole family to enjoy. We kindly ask that children are supervised closely by the adult accompanying them at all times while on tour.

Yes, You can bring a stroller or a pram on tour with and into the Art Department’s workshop provided it is fully collapsible and can fit in the luggage compartment of our buses.

It is important to note that the Movie Set paths are made of cobblestones and dirt tracks and the interiors of Bagshot Row includes a range of flooring meaning it is bumpy and uneven in places. The paths are also quite narrow in places throughout the Movie Set and Bagshot Row and there are some low level stairs to climb so you may need an extra adult to assist you with the stroller/pram in some locations.

Twin strollers are not recommended due to the narrowness of the paths and may not fit inside Bagshot Row.

Access to Bag End is not permitted on tour.

Bagshot Row is home to the only Hobbit Holes on the Movie Set with fully themed interiors. The other Hobbit Holes you pass around the Movie Set remain external facades.

There is no accommodation available at Hobbiton Movie Set. 

For hotel, motel and other accommodation options in the Waikato region, visit www.waikatonz.com/accommodation  or contact a local i-SITE or visitor information centre. 

The recent Airbnb promotion was for 3 exclusive stays only to celebrate 10 years since the first Hobbit movie was released and is now fully booked. We will not be offering any accommodation or overnight stays in the future.