So we can spend as much time as possible in the South Island we have a big drive ahead of us today. All the way to Wellington so we can catch the 6.30pm ferry to Picton on. 7 hours drive from Taupo but we made it on to the ferry.
So we can spend as much time as possible in the South Island we have a big drive ahead of us today. All the way to Wellington so we can catch the 6.30pm ferry to Picton on. 7 hours drive from Taupo but we made it on to the ferry.
After Hobbiton we left for our campsite at Lake Taupo. It was a nice drive in the evening sun.Taupo is in the middle of the thermal reserve and produces its electricity from hydro electric and thermal heat changing. Both Taupo and Rotarua have a unique aroma of rotten eggs.
The Hobbiton set is deep in the hills near Matamata. The set was rebuilt for The Hobbit Trilogy as a permenant feature as the original set was made of plywood and polystyrene and only meant as a temporary structure for the Lord of the Rings films.
The family who owned the land approached Peter Jackson and the film company to see if they could turn it into a tourist attraction after filming had finished.
There are several full size, 90% and 60% Hobbit holes so the film makers could use trick photography to make the actors look like Hobbits who were no more than 5ft 4in.