mytravelbugbite

Our accommodation for the next 2 nights of the trip was pretty awesome as we were booked into a Hobbit hole in Pukemoremore, near Cambridge. It had facilities for both indoor and outdoor dining, was small but cozy with Shire themed finishing touches that were exquisite. It can be booked here through AirBnB. On our first evening here we got some food from the local store to eat around the firepit.

The next day we went on a day trip to Mount Maunganui in Tauranga. After driving around for a while trying to find a good parking spot we were finally able to get out, have a quick coffee then set off to climb the Mount at the end of the sand bar. It stands at 232m high and has a couple of options for climbing it which aren’t long but can be steep in parts. We decided to ascend via the route with the stairs until we reached the peak. The views along the coast are spectacular and we spent some time having a snack and people watching the groups having photo shoots at the top.

Our route down didn’t have any steps but was no less steep. Instead of heading straight back into town we continued on to do the loop trail around the bottom of the mount. This was significantly less trafficked than the peak trails but no less beautiful. Signs informed us that we may encounter seal on this section but it was not to be the day we were there. With this additional section of trail our route was about 6 miles.

Once back in Mount Maunganui town we made a stop at the highly rated Polar Dessert Bar for some ice cream which is definitely worth visiting if in the area. Then our evening was spent back at our hobbit hole with a rewatch of The Return of the King.

Early next morning we checked out and made our way the the Hobbiton Movie Set where we were booked onto the first tour of the day. We checked in at the gift shop and cafe area then caught the bus down to the set itself. I would highly recommend the first tour as it meant when we first arrived there was no one, other than the groundkeepers already there so our early pictures were much easier to take with no one else in the background. I had been to the tour before back in 2009 when there was only the white shells of the hole as most of the set had to be pulled down following filming the Lord of the Rings. It was made into a permanent set when The Hobbit films were created and the difference between then and now is staggering. Walking through the entrance was magical and the attention to detail is amazing. You are not able to wander around and explore at your leisure, you are taken around by a tour guide who will give you all the relevant information, and whilst they do keep you moving forwards, there was still more than enough time to take in the smaller details.

Opened in December 2023 (the month we were there) is a new indoor hobbit hole which was absolutely stunning. There are 2 to go into (you only get to visit 1 of them) but they are very similar, just decorated differently to represent the families who were supposed to have lived in there.

Once we had finished inside, it was time for a drink at the Green Dragon. You could chose from a couple of beers, a cider or a ginger beer and there was the opportunity to purchase food also, in true form Fraser got himself a pie which he says was actually much tastier than he thought it might have been considering it was tour food. We then got the bus back to our car, spent time and money in the gift shop buying last minute Christmas presents and this rounded off one of the best tours I have ever been on. For any Lord of the Rings or Hobbit fans this really is a must do bucket list item, but I also think it would be fine for anyone who hasn’t seen them but is interested in films because the craftsmanship is still phenomenal.