When you get the opportunity to visit New Zealand, try to visit the town of Matamata, it's about 45 minutes from Hamilton (almost 2 hrs from Aukland). For only NZ$50.00 you will be able to visit the property that was chosen to be the home of the Hobbits. From matamata itself, it's a 10 - 15 minute drive to the perimeter of the property, and from the gate, it's another 10 minutes. When you get to the site itself, you'll really understand why this place was chosen to be the Shire (or Hobbiton). It's just acres and acres of fields and grass and trees ... and hobbit holes. Of the 37 original hobbit holes, only 17 remain. Tour guides will share anecdotes on how the place was selected, how life was during filming, and what transpired after the shoot.

here's what you can see there: