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Inspiring Hobbit Journeys Beyond the Shire

Inspiring Hobbit Journeys Beyond the Shire - discover enchanting landscapes, hidden corners and charming places to stay.

Inspiring Hobbit Journeys Beyond the Shire - there is something about a Hobbit journey that begins long before you pack your bags.

Perhaps it starts with a green door glimpsed beneath a grassy hill, a path disappearing into an ancient forest, or mountains rising beyond a quiet valley. Perhaps it began years ago, reading The Hobbit and imagining what might lie beyond the Shire. Whatever sparks the idea, there comes a moment when simply reading about these landscapes is no longer enough.

You want to go exploring.

These inspiring Hobbit journeys take that sense of adventure out into the real world, combining beautiful landscapes, characterful cottages and places connected with the books, films and imagination of Middle-earth.

Some lead directly through filming locations. Others explore landscapes that feel as though hobbits, elves or wandering wizards might appear around the next bend. All are designed as journeys rather than lists of places to tick off.

Pack lightly. Comfortable shoes recommended. Wizard optional.

So, as you might remember, 'The Hobbit' by JRR Tolkien, starts like this...

“In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a Hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."

Here you’ll find holes in the ground or earth-covered homes, whimsical cottages and and plenty of comfort just the same, close to extraordinary Middle-earth filming locations for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Or in Ireland, in the land of whimsy itself, stay in dream locations along the way.

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New Zealand North Island Hobbit Journey

Inspiring Hobbit Journeys Beyond the Shire - if there is an obvious place to begin, it must surely be New Zealand.

The North Island journey starts and finishes in Auckland, looping through the landscapes that became some of the most recognisable places in Middle Earth.

Visit Hobbiton near Matamata before travelling towards the volcanic country of Tongariro.

Continue south through dramatic film landscapes to Wellington and the creative world of Weta Workshop, before travelling north again along the western side of the island.

Along the way are forests, mountains, beaches, waterfalls, Hobbit experiences and rather lovely places to stay.

This is the journey for anyone who has ever looked towards a distant mountain and thought, perhaps slightly unwisely, ‘Let's go there.’

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New Zealand South Island Hobbit Journey

Inspiring Hobbit Journeys Beyond the Shire -  the South Island brings a different scale to Middle-earth.

Here the landscapes become bigger, wilder and more cinematic. Mountains dominate enormous valleys, rivers thread through open country and roads disappear towards horizons that seem almost impossibly distant.

This journey takes you through some of the spectacular country used to create Tolkien's world on screen, while giving you time to enjoy the South Island itself.

Because that is part of the joy of these journeys. You may set out looking for Middle Earth and discover somewhere remarkable in its own right.

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Hobbit Journey in Ireland

Inspiring Hobbit Journeys Beyond the Shire - Ireland brings another kind of magic to the collection.
Its green countryside, rugged landscapes and wonderful Hobbit-style places to stay make it perfect for a journey inspired by Tolkien's world.

Explore by day, then retreat to somewhere wonderfully whimsical when evening arrives. A Hobbit house tucked into the landscape seems considerably less fanciful when surrounded by Ireland's extraordinary shades of green.

And really, if you're going to travel beyond the Shire, returning each evening to your own little Hobbit house seems an entirely reasonable standard of comfort to maintain.

Inspiring Hobbit Journeys Beyond the Shire
Plan Your Path

There is no single road to adventure. Choose a destination and create your own journey, perhaps following extraordinary filming landscapes in New Zealand, escaping to a storybook hideaway in Ireland, or discovering a little Hobbit magic closer to home. Each page on my website brings together a route map, inspiring places to explore, characterful stays and ideas for turning an ordinary holiday into something rather more memorable.

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About Me

I'm Katia Luz, sharing my bushland cottage. Discover enchanting, charming, whimsical cabins and cosy places to inspire your dreams. Bon Voyage!
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