Hobbiton a.k.a Matamata
5th Aug 2007
Not haven watched the films or read the books.. i still took the chance to visit the Hobbiton village which was used in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy directed by Peter Jackson.
only a three hour coach journey south of auckland is the once-sleepy town of matamata, which has been transformed by tourism since the filming of the hobbiton scenes from the movies.
went down there with my welsh mate vicky who was over in the country for a bit.
with most of the film set demolished since its filming back in 2000 there still stood 17 of the origainal hobbit holes, they have since been painted over white to make them more visible to tourists.. and to prevent the sheep going inside and settling they have been sealed off except for one which people are able to walk into and look out of the windows of which the movie cameras filmed. inside the hobbit hole its actually alot higher and you are able to stand fully upright.
one of the key features of the movie set was the bridge.. that was made to be put up quickly and taken down quickly, parts of it was made from polystyrene and painted to look like stone. quite impressive.. and also another key feature was the big tree which was used for the partying and the dancing around.. thats still there.
the tour was very good,the guide was very informative and enthusiastic and helped me get an understanding of the film and all the work that went into it...it was a huge project and a huge success.
background info of hobbiton:
in september 1998 peter jackson and new line cinema 'discovered' the alexander farm during an aerial search for suitable film sites. the fantastic views and rolling countryside of the farm closely resembled that of middle-earth as described by tolkien.
the farm was perfect. the large established pine tree later to become known as the 'party tree' was already perfectly placed in front of the lake. the surrounding rolling farmland was untouched by 20th century influence such as roads buildings or powerlines.
site construction started in march 1999. initially this involved heavy earthmoving machinery provided by the new zealand army. total site construction took nine months. throughout construction and filming all activity on the site was kept under strict security due to commercial restraints by the movie company.
filming commenced on 6th december (my birthday
) 1999 and continued for three months. at its peak 400 people were 'on site' including jackson, ian mckellen, elijah wood, ian holme, sean astin etc
how the hobbiton site was developed:
the nz army was contracted to build 1.5km (just under a mile to us britts) of road into the site and initial site development(diggers, bulldozers, loaders, trucks, rollers, graders and moxys).
barberry hedges and trees were brought in and gardens were nurtured throughout winter.
37 hobbit holes were created with untreated timber, ply and polystyrene.
mill and double arch bridge were built out of scaffolding, ply and polystyrene, glued and painted.
thatch on pub and mill roofs was cut from rushes around the farm.
oak tree overlooking bag end was cut down and brought in from near matamata. each branch was numbered and chopped, then transported and bolted together on top of bag end.
artificial leaves were imported from taiwan and individually wired onto the dead tree.
generators were brought in to run base camp and the film equipment(logistics of power, water and sewerage all had to be considered.
catered for up to 400 people per day.
only a three hour coach journey south of auckland is the once-sleepy town of matamata, which has been transformed by tourism since the filming of the hobbiton scenes from the movies.
went down there with my welsh mate vicky who was over in the country for a bit.
with most of the film set demolished since its filming back in 2000 there still stood 17 of the origainal hobbit holes, they have since been painted over white to make them more visible to tourists.. and to prevent the sheep going inside and settling they have been sealed off except for one which people are able to walk into and look out of the windows of which the movie cameras filmed. inside the hobbit hole its actually alot higher and you are able to stand fully upright.
one of the key features of the movie set was the bridge.. that was made to be put up quickly and taken down quickly, parts of it was made from polystyrene and painted to look like stone. quite impressive.. and also another key feature was the big tree which was used for the partying and the dancing around.. thats still there.
the tour was very good,the guide was very informative and enthusiastic and helped me get an understanding of the film and all the work that went into it...it was a huge project and a huge success.
background info of hobbiton:
in september 1998 peter jackson and new line cinema 'discovered' the alexander farm during an aerial search for suitable film sites. the fantastic views and rolling countryside of the farm closely resembled that of middle-earth as described by tolkien.
the farm was perfect. the large established pine tree later to become known as the 'party tree' was already perfectly placed in front of the lake. the surrounding rolling farmland was untouched by 20th century influence such as roads buildings or powerlines.
site construction started in march 1999. initially this involved heavy earthmoving machinery provided by the new zealand army. total site construction took nine months. throughout construction and filming all activity on the site was kept under strict security due to commercial restraints by the movie company.
filming commenced on 6th december (my birthday
) 1999 and continued for three months. at its peak 400 people were 'on site' including jackson, ian mckellen, elijah wood, ian holme, sean astin etchow the hobbiton site was developed:
the nz army was contracted to build 1.5km (just under a mile to us britts) of road into the site and initial site development(diggers, bulldozers, loaders, trucks, rollers, graders and moxys).
barberry hedges and trees were brought in and gardens were nurtured throughout winter.
37 hobbit holes were created with untreated timber, ply and polystyrene.
mill and double arch bridge were built out of scaffolding, ply and polystyrene, glued and painted.
thatch on pub and mill roofs was cut from rushes around the farm.
oak tree overlooking bag end was cut down and brought in from near matamata. each branch was numbered and chopped, then transported and bolted together on top of bag end.
artificial leaves were imported from taiwan and individually wired onto the dead tree.
generators were brought in to run base camp and the film equipment(logistics of power, water and sewerage all had to be considered.
catered for up to 400 people per day.
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