Nestled in the rolling hills of New Zealand, the Hobbiton set remains one of the most iconic pieces of film history. It attracts legions of fans eager to walk through the Shire.
This quiz asks about the farm’s origins before it became a set, the construction of those famous Hobbit holes, and how the production team turned a working sheep farm into a cinematic fantasy world.
If you enjoy this, check out our trivia on popular filming spots, explore historic structures, or browse our list of natural landmarks.
In which country can the film set for Hobbiton be found?
Ireland
Ireland
New Zealand
New Zealand
Wales
Wales
Scotland
Scotland
Prior to becoming a film set, what was the primary use of the land that became Hobbiton?
A national park
A national park
A private sheep farm
A private sheep farm
A movie studio
A movie studio
An abandoned quarry
An abandoned quarry
How did Peter Jackson and his team initially spot the farm that would become Hobbiton?
An internet advertisement
An internet advertisement
A satellite map search
A satellite map search
A local tourist brochure
A local tourist brochure
A helicopter survey
A helicopter survey
Which small town in the Waikato region is home to the Hobbiton movie set?
Queenstown
Queenstown
Rotorua
Rotorua
Wellington
Wellington
Matamata
Matamata
What primary building materials were used to construct the original Hobbit holes for the first films?
Pre-cast fiberglass panels
Pre-cast fiberglass panels
Concrete and steel
Concrete and steel
Wood and polystyrene
Wood and polystyrene
Brick and mortar
Brick and mortar
What happened to the original Hobbiton set after the production of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy concluded?
They were moved to a museum in Auckland
They were moved to a museum in Auckland
They were dismantled completely
They were dismantled completely
They were left as they were for the sequel films
They were left as they were for the sequel films
They were burned down for a scene
They were burned down for a scene
What is the name of the functioning pub that guests can visit at the end of the Hobbiton tour?
The Golden Perch
The Golden Perch
The Prancing Pony
The Prancing Pony
The Forsaken Inn
The Forsaken Inn
The Green Dragon Inn
The Green Dragon Inn
How were the Hobbit holes constructed during the rebuild for ‘The Hobbit’ films to ensure longevity?
They are built purely from soil and turf
They are built purely from soil and turf
They are repurposed shipping containers
They are repurposed shipping containers
They are permanent structures
They are permanent structures
They are temporary plywood facades
They are temporary plywood facades
What is the surname of the family who owned the land where Hobbiton was built and still manages the tours?
Alexander family
Alexander family
Jackson family
Jackson family
Tolkien family estate
Tolkien family estate
New Line Cinema owners
New Line Cinema owners
What specific feature was famously replaced with a ‘fake’ tree made of steel and silicon in the later Hobbiton set?
A field of artificial sunflowers
A field of artificial sunflowers
A decorative tree atop Bag End
A decorative tree atop Bag End
A stone bridge over a pond
A stone bridge over a pond
A stream running through the village
A stream running through the village
What is the status of the Hobbiton movie set today?
A permanent, all-weather attraction
A permanent, all-weather attraction
Only open during the summer months
Only open during the summer months
Only accessible via boat tour
Only accessible via boat tour
A temporary pop-up exhibit
A temporary pop-up exhibit
In what year did the initial construction of the Hobbiton set begin for the filming of the trilogy?
2005
2005
2002
2002
2008
2008
1999
1999
Apart from guided tours, what other purpose does the Green Dragon Inn serve?
It is used as a residence for the tour guides
It is used as a residence for the tour guides
It is used only for exterior tracking shots
It is used only for exterior tracking shots
It serves as a location for weddings and events
It serves as a location for weddings and events
It remains a restricted archaeological site
It remains a restricted archaeological site
Besides sheep, what is the other major agricultural activity associated with the Alexander farm where Hobbiton is located?
Orchard management
Orchard management
Cattle ranching
Cattle ranching
Dairy farming
Dairy farming
Wheat cultivation
Wheat cultivation
How did the crew achieve the realistic look of the artificial tree above Bag End?
It was painted with specific pigments to match the surrounding grass
It was painted with specific pigments to match the surrounding grass
It was 3D printed in sections
It was 3D printed in sections
It was flown in from England as a replica
It was flown in from England as a replica
It was carved from a single piece of ancient wood
It was carved from a single piece of ancient wood
What is the name of the main visitor and ticketing center located at the Hobbiton set?
The Middle-earth Visitor Centre
The Middle-earth Visitor Centre
The Prancing Pony Bar and Grill
The Prancing Pony Bar and Grill
The Hobbiton Cafe
The Hobbiton Cafe
The Shire’s Rest
The Shire’s Rest
What is true about the interiors of the Hobbit holes at the movie set?
They are all solid earth and have no interiors
They are all solid earth and have no interiors
Only select ones have interiors; most are empty shells
Only select ones have interiors; most are empty shells
All of them are fully furnished inside
All of them are fully furnished inside
They are all digital composites added in post-production
They are all digital composites added in post-production
Which of these statements accurately reflects the initial relationship between the film production and the Alexander family?
The family insisted on acting in the films themselves
The family insisted on acting in the films themselves
The family was originally hesitant about the disruption
The family was originally hesitant about the disruption
The family refused to allow any filming on their property
The family refused to allow any filming on their property
The family demanded the film be moved to a different island
The family demanded the film be moved to a different island
How was the permanent expansion of the set for ‘The Hobbit’ films funded?
The farm owners funded it entirely themselves to boost tourism
The farm owners funded it entirely themselves to boost tourism
It was funded by a rival production company for a different project
It was funded by a rival production company for a different project
The local town council funded it through national heritage grants
The local town council funded it through national heritage grants
It was a collaboration between the studio and the farm owners
It was a collaboration between the studio and the farm owners
What naturally occurring landscape feature was essential for the location of Hobbiton?
It is built into the side of a naturally occurring hill ridge
It is built into the side of a naturally occurring hill ridge
It was constructed inside a custom-built warehouse
It was constructed inside a custom-built warehouse
It was moved from a different region in New Zealand
It was moved from a different region in New Zealand
It is built entirely on flat land with staged earth mounds
It is built entirely on flat land with staged earth mounds
Why was concrete used extensively throughout the Hobbiton site during the 2011 rebuild?
To allow for underground parking for tour buses
To allow for underground parking for tour buses
To impress the local planning committee for permit approval
To impress the local planning committee for permit approval
To prevent erosion and ensure long-term stability
To prevent erosion and ensure long-term stability
To meet strict environmental standards for the local sheep
To meet strict environmental standards for the local sheep
How were the thousands of fake leaves on the artificial Bag End tree created and installed?
They were hand-painted by local scenic artists
They were hand-painted by local scenic artists
They were grown on-site in a specialist nursery
They were grown on-site in a specialist nursery
They were imported from manufacturers in China
They were imported from manufacturers in China
They were borrowed from the Wellington Botanical Gardens
They were borrowed from the Wellington Botanical Gardens
You can do better
Not bad
Great!
Ready for more? Explore significant historic sites, learn more about castles and palaces, or see our collection of mountain scenery.
