We love middle earth,

we call it home

come and experience it with real locals.

Here at Look After Me we are all about linking like minded folk, coupled with kiwi hospitality and real local flavour. Look After Me Homestay is as kiwi as they come. A network of friendly locals across NZ100%pure.

 

Snaffle up the latest book release 'Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon' from our friends at Weta Workshop. ‘This book looks incredible’ quote from hobbitton facebook page. Order the book here; then begin the journey.

 

The Hobbit

The trilogy of The Hobbit movies will tell the full story of Bilbo Baggins and the part he played in the sometimes dangerous – but always exciting – history of Middle-earth.

A prequel to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit Trilogy is set 60 years before Frodo embarks on his epic journey, and Peter Jackson’s use of stunning New Zealand landscapes will make the tale all the more enchanting.

To create The Hobbit movies - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and The Hobbit: There and Back Again - Peter Jackson has pulled some content from additional J.R.R Tolkien material. This includes supplementary notes and appendixes published as the conclusion to his The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King novel. Crossing into this unexplored narrative territory allows movie-goers to understand how these furry-footed creatures came to be. 

For Peter Jackson, the land he lives in - his home country of New Zealand - provides the perfect settings to produce moving adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. After filming the entirety of The Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, Jackson said there would be no reason to look outside the country for film locations for The Hobbit Trilogy as New Zealand already was "the perfect Middle-earth".

The scenes in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movies aren’t just fleeting glimpses of cinematic fantasy – the locations are the reality of New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes, which visitors can easily experience for themselves.

What is a Hobbit?

Hobbits are described by J.R.R Tolkien as uncomplicated and ancient little people, no more than four feet tall. They seldom wear shoes because their feet have tough leathery soles clad in thick, curly hair.

They are shy of ‘Big Folk’ and prefer well-ordered and well-farmed countryside. A typical Hobbit is a happy individual who loves nothing better than a good party with lots of food.

The Shire is one of the places in Hobbiton where the Hobbits of both The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit lived.

Thanks to New Zealand.com for this helpful article

 

Nature walks and Hobbiton!

Matamata

The Hobbiton Village is located in central yet quaint rural Waikato, we offer a range of self contained and hosted options ranging from $75. Whilst in Matamata you may want to explore the Wairere Falls, the Karapiro River  and cutesy small villages such as Tirau for arts and crafts.

Wairere Falls Farm Cottage  View the North Island's biggest waterfall from your kitchen window of your self contained farm cottage. Go on a Hobbit tour in nearby Matamata. Sleeps 6 from $80.

Kaimai Sunset, a self contained unit on a 1acre garden from $80, just out of Matamata

Karapiro Hideaway, Peaceful and rural, offering a warm welcome to up to 8 people , from $90 South side of Cambridge.

Lake Karapiro Cottage, A gorgeous self contained unit, stunning rural and lake views from $125 on Lake Karopiro.

Little Dairy A converted Dairy with rural outlooks from $90 just out of Cambridge.

Hobbiton Homestay Honest family homestay from $45 just out of Matamata.

A must do: tour of hobbiton Whilst on the tour enjoy peering over a Hobbit’s front gate, dancing under the party tree or swigging back a beer at The Green Dragon Inn. The village was also used in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

 

Piopio

The looming cliffs, unusual limestone rock formations and prehistoric forest at Mangaotaki Rocks in Piopio looks as if it has been created especially to form the backdrop for Middle-earth. This area provided the location for Trollshaws Forest and Staddles Farm where a number of scenes from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey were shot; including The Company arriving at a destroyed farmhouse, the exit from the Troll Hoard Cave, Gandalf bestowing Sting upon Bilbo, Radagast's arrival and the Gundabad Wargs and Orcs attack.

Hairy Feet Waitomo Scenic Film Location Tours, will take you on a special trip to actual film locations.

Waitomo Caves is another Waikato attraction, ancient glow worm caves are a natural wonderland. No wonder Peter Jackson used this awe inspiring location.

We offer a lovely 1930’s home Hillside House from $45 in nearby Otorohanga.

On-route south is the Timber Trail Sleepout a seriously cute self-contained option from $100 in Bennydale.

 

Turoa, Ruapehu

The rocky slopes and grassy tussock of Turoa in Ruapehu was the setting for Hidden Bay, the entrance to the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Turoa is a popular ski field on Mt Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park. The area is also known for its breathtaking cycling and hiking trails, including The Tongariro Crossing which is considered one of the best one day walks in the world. Crew filmed here for one day, in which giant scaffolding was built down to the site in order to protect native flora and fauna on the mountain.

Snowy Waters Lodge providers adventures mountaineering types a variety of options from $90 in Raetihi.

 

Wellington

We are all a little curious as to how ‘they’ (the clever Weta workshop folk) make such creative works time after time. Tours (by appointment) from their Wellington base, which can be booked online For your convenience we have two seriously close homestays for you to choose from: Botanica Homestay a stylishly appointed villa from $160 in Mirmar and

Welcome in Wellington a lovely conveniently located studio from $100 in Newtown.

Wellington's hidden Gem a gorgeous restored character home located in the central city from $195.

 

Nelson

Cruise or fly to Nelson, the sunniest town in NZ, also renowned for its Arts and Craft and another Hobbit set. Whilst you are exploring, our local hosts will assist you with local knowledge, coffee your way and welcoming arms.

A slice of Paradise a picturesque location on the edge of a river from $90 in Nelson.

Sunny Stay home hosted with rural and mountain views near the beach from $80 in Nelson and Accent House Boutique a luxury option with 4 queen rooms and sprawling grounds from $190 in Mapua

Visitors can get a good feel for these locations with a horse trek. Ride across neighbouring private farmland to the dramatic cliff drop which offers spectacular coastal views over Golden Bay.

 

Pelorus River, Marlborough

Peter Jackson chose the Pelorus River to film the dwarves in barrels scene that appears in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Here, the dwarves were filmed floating in giant barrels down the river. Stephen Hunter, who played dwarf Bombur, called this experience 'his favourite day on set'. You can experience this exact location for yourself with an easy riverside walk, or take a guided kayak tour.

 

Expansive Mountain ranges and pristine Lakes are quintessential NZ and what we are all about in central Canterbury and Otago., Farmhouse B&B from $55, Tranquil Tekapo by Lake Tekapo from $100, Smallburn Farm near Cromwell ,

 

Mount Cook

Mount Cook and it's surrounding alpine peaks are used in the backdrop of some of the aerial filming in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Visit Aoraki Mount Cook National Park for a range of walking tracks and scenic views.

 

Queenstown

One of the most magical locations in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; Earnslaw Burn is a glacier that has created a number of cascading waterfalls that tumble down a huge rock face. Here, Bilbo and The Company are filmed continuing on their quest after departing Rivendell. The Earnslaw Burn Track - beginning in Glenorchy - is a challenging 4-hour hike that rewards with spectacular views at the head of the valley over the glacier and beyond.

Queenstown Heights Homestay Gorgeous and self-contained from $95 in Queenstown

Islay Cottage exquisitely furnished in nearby Darfield from $130.

and Precipice Creek Station B&B Glenorky homecomforts and personal guide from $260.

Part of the Wargs chase was filmed here; and the largest battle scene ever - the Battle of the Pelennor Fields - was set in a remote Twizel field.

 

Wanaka

The world-class ski area of Treble Cone was another filming location, and is famous for its off-piste terrain and unrivalled views across Lake Wanaka and the Central Otago region. The skifield is abuzz during winter months and has the longest vertical run in New Zealand’s Southern Alps.

Stay with our hosts at The Dell Wanaka from $90 perfect for winter skiing and summer mountaineering.

 

Fiordland National Park

Both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogies used the majestic Fiordland National Park for epic scenic shots. The scene where The Company flees the mountains on the backs of eagles in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was filmed here also. Experience giant fiords and spectacular waterfalls with a helicopter flight or boat cruise. 

 

Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook

Stunning Lake Pukaki was chosen as the location for Laketown in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Glacial lakes feed into Lake Pukaki giving the water its vibrant blue colour. The lake is also a favourite fishing, walking and cycling spot, while the snowcapped Mt Cook overlooking the lake is busy with skiers during the winter months.

 

Look After Me is ideal for those seeking real experiences, real people and real convenience.