New Zealand 11 - Hobbiton

There were a lot of places we visited that had Lord of the Rings / Hobbit connections, but Hobbiton was the only place we visited specifically because of Peter Jackson.

We went in 2018 and wanted to go again, the experience was different.  The grounds have matured more.  The hobbit holes are surrounded by landscaping.  This has developed over the years.  We visited earlier in the summer this time, so different plants were in flower.

There are now two Hobbit holes.  You only can go into one as part of the tour.  It took 9 months to build the holes by a team who had worked on the films.  They are magnificent, the attention to detail is beyond belief - The noticeboard contains fliers and invites for groups and events in Hobbiton.  

The tour effectively finished at the Green Dragon

The tour might have changed - but it was still brilliant.

New Zealand 10 - Wellington

The first view of the North Island.

Wellington from the sea.

We caught up with a friend and just wandered for a while. 

Then headed to the Weta Workshop.  The place was amazing.  There’s no photography for much of the tour.  

There are three trolls outside, Gollum and Lurtz in the foyer. 

There are plenty of other Middle Earth characters along with characters from the many other films Weta have worked on.  The tour covers several rooms dealing with different aspects of the special affects - modelling, costumes, armoury.  Each room had a presentation either by a video or an artist, and then the chance to view examples up close.

The next day we did more of a tour.  Starting with a trip up the cable car (funicular) 

Then a short bus ride to Zealandia.  This is a 560-acre sanctuary for flightless birds protected by a predator-proof fence, centred on one of Wellington’s old reservoirs, about 5km from the centre of town.  Even without the birdlife, it would have been a great walk. 

Then back into the centre via the botanic gardens.

We then meandered to Te Papa Museum.  

One gallery was based on Gallipoli - and the stories of New Zealand soldiers during the campaign, very effective multimedia, and amazing oversized figures from Weta.

The natural history element was different to anywhere else I’ve been due to combining Maori beliefs with science.

Wellington Airport had a Smaug model, and Gandalf riding a giant eagle flying over the waiting area.