If you're a movie buff and are particularly fond of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies, you may be pleased to learn that getting to Hobbiton has become easier thanks to the introduction of daily flights and tours from Auckland Airport.
The Hobbiton Movie Set provides the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at where both trilogies were filmed. It's New Zealand's third largest visitor destination and is located in Matamata, a small agricultural town approximately two-and-a half hours by car from Auckland.
New Zealand-owned airline, Fly My Sky, has announced that it will operate scheduled return flights twice daily from Auckland Airport, making it easier for movie fans to visit Middle-earth. The 30-minute flights will operate on twin-engine Britten Norman Islander aircraft, which can carry up to ten passengers and their luggage. As a low-flying aircraft, passengers can enjoy the sights of the natural New Zealand landscape during their flight.
When they arrive at Matamata Aerodrome, passengers will be taken on a private shuttle to the Hobbiton Movie Set, where they can visit five hobbit holes, pass Bilbo Baggins’ house, the mill, the party tree and the Green Dragon Inn, among other recognisable landmarks. At the conclusion of the tour, they will be taken by private shuttle to Matamata Aerodrome and flown back to Auckland.
For further information on the flights and tours, please see Fly My Sky's website here.
