Auckland NZ Hobbiton Lord of the Rings Tour

Today, our 9-month Ultimate World Cruise takes us to tour Auckland NZ. We tour behind the scenes of Hobbiton! This is the movie set for the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies. It was an AMAZING tour!!! They did an incredible job with the details, and the setting is beautiful. We highly recommend a visit here, even for people who are not JRR Tolkien or Lord of the Rings fans. Nancy use the word charming about a hundred times!
Ultimate World Cruise Day 85
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[@pattieb8214]

Nancy, the love you showed at Mike's enjoyment of Hobbiton was so touching. Having the joy of seeing the person you love most at their happiest is such a blessing. We have been married for 44 years, and I know that we both get more satisfaction at each other's joy than we do our own. I enjoy your vlogs so much. They always leave me with a smile.

[@livingphase2]

Thank you so much for all your kind words. And it is so true that I am the happiest when I see Mike happy. Have a great day and thanks for following along with us.

[@madiantin]

Nancy, seeing you tear up a little over Mike's happiness and excitement is so sweet and so relatable. In 2017 we flew all the way down from Canada to Nashville to see the eclipse...and a cloud came over during totality so we didn't get to see it and my husband was crushed. So when the eclipse happened again just a week or so ago I prayed so so hard that he'd be able to see the totality. He researched where we should go and we ended up in Missouri - and we did indeed get an amazing view of the diamond ring, and 4 minutes of totality! Seeing his joy and profound wonder and giddy excitement was everything I could have dreamed of. So I really get it. It's so heartwarming and tender to see the joy of our loved ones.

[@livingphase2]

Oh, that is so special. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. We always like to hear things like this. Also, thanks for following along with us on our journey.

[@scottmcclean2566]

To actually experience what was up to that point only in your imagination, must have been a "Once in a Life-time" tour for a LOTR buff.... awesome!

[@livingphase2]

It was the books come to life!

[@dboutier5636]

It looks like the experience of a lifetime for the lover of the books. I can’t believe they let you touch things. Nobody let you touch things. It looks like it might’ve also been a beautiful ride there and back although it was raining. It’s so sweet that part of your joy was watching your husband’s joy. Stay safe.

[@livingphase2]

The countryside there is just amazing and beautiful. And yes when you're in the Hobbit Hole they encourage you to interact move touch and really experience it

[@kikirush3642]

How awesome! I am a big Lord of the Rings fan,and this was as exciting to watch vicariously! I felt your joy ….❤️

[@livingphase2]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patriciaoufiero3765]

My husband and I have enjoyed all your videos, but as Tolkien fans, today's was outstanding!! Thank you for sharing your visit to Hobbitton, we felt like we were there with you!!!

[@livingphase2]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@user-ts8rv4yo8y]

I got a little teary eyed when Nancy talked about Mikes childlike wonder on your Hobbit adventure. Probably brought back years of memories for Mike. That’s Love ❤️

[@livingphase2]

Aw, thank you. Nancy here, and it is wonderful to be married to my best friend.

[@beckydavidson6322]

makes me want to watch the movie again. It's on my bucket list now!! thanks

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@greenbutterfly-8]

WOW Interesting Enjoy have lots of Fun and Stay Safe All Ways All God Bless 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@livingphase2]

Thank you! You too!

[@kathleennorcross9114]

We were there last February 2023 and loved it!

[@livingphase2]

Wasn’t it just absolutely amazing and fun! Hope your weather was better than the day we were there.😉

[@mrsclaussews]

A friend's son worked on all the LOTR movies. He even ended up marrying a Kiwi lady. My friend got to go to Los Angeles to see one of the movie premieres. He now works for Disney full time. Pretty good for a Montana boy.

[@kathyhedges5064]

0:09 😊r

[@livingphase2]

Wow, that is very cool! Thanks for sharing this with us.😀👍🏻

[@susananderson8995]

I'm a big fan of The Hobbit and LOTR. I rewatch the LOTR movies annually and reread The Hobbit and LOTR every few years. Thank you for sharing your trip!

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much for watching! And thanks for following along on our journey.

[@deltadaze6836]

Wow, when you think about the movie in total, you don't realize until the end when Sam is home how idealyic their lives were before they went on their adventure...and maybe if they had known, they would have been too scared to give us a wonderful set of movies! :D...Nancy, your joy at his joy was catching :) I gotta be honest, though. all that greenery is mansions for spiders...just sayin' :P

[@livingphase2]

One of the most moving parts was standing the outside of Samwise gamgees house and thinking back to the scene in the movie when he returned home after the whole Adventure when it's really about family and how you do everything you can to protect them

[@deedodson9661]

The look on your faces was pure joy. It was wonderful watching this video….. I feel like I need to watch the movies again. Thank you once again for sharing with us!

[@livingphase2]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@claudiarusso6702]

Nancy got to watch her❤️ love live his dream. How beautiful for both of you !!! Just watching your joy has lifted my spirits 👍👏👏👏. You vlogs are fantastic! Big hugs and stay safe.👏👏👍🫂🙏❤️

[@livingphase2]

Thank you so much for all your kind words. We appreciate you!🥰

[@gailstewart356]

Dear Nancy and Mike. Just watched your Hobbiton video and, as a NZ resident, I feel I must apologise for the dreadful weather you experienced. Honestly it’s not usually like that here and, while I know you still enjoyed your visit, I’m sorry the rain didn’t seem to stop for a second. I’m hoping the sun shines for you in our beautiful Bay of Islands 🤞

[@livingphase2]

Bay of islands was beautiful so it made up for it. Can never apologize for the weather you just have to be prepared for it we still had a great time

[@cindobi]

So beautiful and enchanting! Thank you for sharing so much!

[@livingphase2]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@elainebyrne1039]

We live in New Zealand, in Hamilton which is equidistant from Auckkand, Tauranga, Rotorua and Waitomo. Hobbiton is about 40 mins away and we visited it for my birthday during the time that NZ was closed to tourism so there were a lot fewer people. We also go often to The Shire's Rest Cafe when we are out riding with our motorcycle club.

[@livingphase2]

You are so fortunate. you live in an unbelievably beautiful part of the world. we can't wait to come back!

[@cheralyndewet897]

WOW 😮 that looks so amazing!! Loved the extra footage - thank u so much for sharing that. 😊

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much!

[@eileenammendolea1776]

Oh my goodness! That must have been so much fun!

[@livingphase2]

It was!

[@therahughes1018]

Ah such a great video to watch. My husband and I were just there last year. He was as excited as Mike was. It was one of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand

[@livingphase2]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was a really special day

[@lindavillalobos8999]

Thank y’all so much that was amazing so magical I felt like I was right there with y’all thank you again

[@livingphase2]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@user-oy7yx3cj1g]

We had a fabulous time with this tour while on a Australia and New Zealand cruise.

[@livingphase2]

Glad you enjoyed it we found it awesome

[@sonjakrohn4303]

Sadly for us, we were there in 2009 which was between LOTR and The Hobbit, so the place had been pretty much broken down. The party tree of course was there, and a few holes in the ground …. Bilbo’s house at least still had a door on it and you could walk in to a small 5’ x 5’ cave. Really felt despondent when I it was all being redone for The Hobbit movies and made in to a wonderful Hobbit experience! And I’d missed out!! 😣 Sigh.

[@livingphase2]

Yeah it was quite amazing what they've done with it period The Hobbit hole you go into is unbelievably detailed and interactive period glad they did that period by the way they're also updating the green dragon pub and a couple others they're really expanding it

[@barbaraangele1062]

Loved watching this, thanks for sharing👌🏻

[@livingphase2]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TropicLuv]

From all of your smiles, and looks at each other you can tell how much Mike enjoyed Hobbiton! ❤

[@livingphase2]

He really did. He was like a kid and a candy store.😉

[@angelasofia7726]

So cool! Love seeing you both so happy!!!

[@livingphase2]

Thank you!!

[@rosemarymccartney7934]

One of my favorite places in NZ. So glad you got to see it.

[@livingphase2]

Us too!

[@eileenammendolea1776]

It would be worth going to New Zealand just to see this!

[@livingphase2]

We had so much fun there. It was a great day.

[@DENISEKNIGHT-qp7dd]

Wow, as a fan of the movies, I wouldn't care how much that cost. Bucket list!

[@livingphase2]

It was awesome

[@terrishaw7640]

You were not kidding when you said it rained a lot.

[@livingphase2]

Right!

[@nancyzupfer220]

Cool! I went to NZ between the movies and one had to use a lot of imagination at that spot.

[@livingphase2]

Yes, they’ve turned it into a really neat attraction now.

[@karenschmidt3233]

Great video. We just did the same adventure but we went there from Tauranga which is much closer than the trip from Auckland. It is one hour but our tour company stopped at a great waterfall site for morning tea. So it took closer to 90 minutes. Loved the tour and agree that the addition of the Hobbit hole experience is amazing. FYI for anyone cruising to New Zealand you will always have to book an independent tour to see Hobbiton as they are not allowing cruise ships to send tour groups. We asked why and were told that it was because many would arrive significantly later than scheduled and then expected to be accommodated which as you point out with tours every 10 minutes this is impossible.

[@livingphase2]

Oh well, that’s really interesting and some thing I did not know. We had booked our Hobbiton trip through short excursions group and you’re right, Royal did not offer a Hobbiton excursion.

[@JacobandKelsey]

Found your channel because of the ultimate world cruise. Cool content! Looks like that cruise costs a pretty penny, but it looks amazing!

[@livingphase2]

We have found it to be worth every penny. It's been amazing!

[@darkmoonsmith5268]

Wow!! Breathtaking scenery. Cool movie set!!! Looks like you had a wonderful time!! Thank you again for sharing your world cruise experiences! I'm loving it ❤🎉

[@livingphase2]

Thank you 🤗

[@juliedahl507]

We were at Auckland's Princess Wharf on RSSC Navigator when you were I port. Sent you a big Aussie "Gidday".

[@livingphase2]

Thanks a lot and howdy right back at you! 😄

[@greenbutterfly-8]

Love to See more Please Thank You ❤❤

[@livingphase2]

Thanks for following along

[@monicashapiro5755]

Loved this video. I have also read all the Books and love this series.

[@livingphase2]

It was really special to be there and bring to life the books I read so many years ago and the amazing movies

[@tanyamassey9438]

It’s just so beautiful

[@livingphase2]

Thank you!

[@wendywood6452]

Such a GREAT vlog. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@livingphase2]

You are so welcome!

[@carolstephens1937]

Wow! Thanks for sharing. This video was awesome. I haven't seen Lord of the Rings but now maybe I will.

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much for watching and for following along on our journey.

[@user-wr8hs4gy9i]

Love New Zealand can’t wait to go back

[@livingphase2]

We want to go back and spend more time there.

[@clarehagley2165]

I watched the first movie when I was pregnant. My son will be 21 in June. My husband loves these books and movies. That was a long drive 6 hrs.

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much for sharing your memory with us. Thanks for following along on our journey as well.

[@groggu]

Thank you so much for the full tour. Love to visit there someday… maybe I need to take a cruise 😄

[@livingphase2]

You should!

[@colleensergent3374]

Love the intro!! Love y’all’s videos!

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much for your kind words and thanks for following along on our journey!

[@kathleentrued9359]

Can’t stop grinning with happy tears in my eyes.

[@livingphase2]

Aw. Thanks so much!

[@hannahzander9541]

I could definitely live in that hobbit house. So cute and cozy.

[@livingphase2]

Right?!

[@livingphase2]

And it's bigger than our cruise ship cabin. 🤣🤣🤣

[@gregorydi2646]

That would be my dream excursion.

[@adrasadventures]

Good job on the intro. 👍

[@livingphase2]

Thanks! We really had fun with that one. 😄

[@caroledunn9073]

Morning from Central Florida!!

[@livingphase2]

Good morning Florida!

[@Conny-wz9ze]

Thank you for your video and hello from Germany. I also liked your last video from your cabin. If I go on a world cruise I will ask you how to prepare for it. Enjoy the time and take care.

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much for your kind words and thank you for following along on our journey.

[@tulaandtherabbittadventure19]

I feel so excited for you to be able to see Hobbiton! Seeing so many videos you have been putting out is making me feel so spoiled. Love every single video

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much for all your kind words. We appreciate you following along on our journey.😀

[@alkruzins1168]

One of your best vlogs We also love LOTR Been to NZ ABOUT 10 years ago went to Matamata and there was just a store and signs Great they recreated the set We spent 2 weeks in NZ driving rail and local tours before a cruise Recommend mire time down under in a future trip Enjoy Africa

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much for your kind words. We would love to see more of New Zealand.

[@LynnDavis-ln3bx]

🥰🥰

[@livingphase2]

🥰

[@MerriHaub-er6cr]

Geez…. I never was a Lord of the Rings fan. But I would love to do this experience. It looks amazing!

[@livingphase2]

Nancy here. Mike is more of a Lord of the Rings fan than I am, but I truly enjoyed this.

[@brendas9803]

Love your video! Brought back so many memories. My husband and I went to Hobbiton in Nov 2017; ship excursion from Rotorua. It also poured down rain but we still enjoyed….Made the warm cider by the fire at the Green Dragon even more memorable. So glad they now have a tour through one of the hobbit holes. It looked awesome! Thanks for sharing….your smiles add to the enjoyment of your videos!

[@livingphase2]

Now we just need to tour the South Island to see the rest of Middle Earth. 😁

[@bernievandewalker1420]

New to your videos and really enjoying them.

[@livingphase2]

Glad you like them! Welcome board

[@user-dx7jp8qe8f]

We visited Hobbiton last yr. They were building the new homes. We enjoyed it even though we never saw the movies.l9l our niece and daughter wanted to visit..

[@livingphase2]

I’m glad you got to visit there. We certainly enjoyed our time.😀

[@user-mm3qt4nf7i]

Hello Mike and Nancy....the smile your face Mke is worth the expense 😊😊❤❤❤ thans fo sharing the amazing experience that you had especially that you got to see the place where the movies were filmed...you do like a kid in the candy store😁😁😁😁❤❤❤ the pictures and the filming are just great 👍🏻 👌 ❤❤

[@livingphase2]

Thank you so much for all the kind words and thank you for following along on our journey.😀

[@deborahblumenfeld6756]

We were one of those tourist in 2012 who visited the farm when very few things were left from filming. We found that brilliant but seeing your video and what it’s become is amazing. Definitely worth a return visit. Thanks for sharing.

[@livingphase2]

Yes, do return. It was absolutely delightful all the way through.

[@valslater3001]

That was fantastic , especially appreciated the extra bits at the end. Like Mike Lord of the Rings is my favourite book which i reread frequently especially if ill or down and loved the movies.. Looking forward to more of your adventures. I know from watching the only other vloggers on the world cruise that Ifollow, BZ travel, that since you have been in Asia , there has been a new port nearly every day so i appreciate how difficult it is for you to film , edit and post without missing out on things. So i will try and develop patience whilst waiting for your next ones. Once again thanks for this particular one which has to be one of my favourites. I have been to NZ but it was before and during filming so weren't able to experience this.

[@livingphase2]

Thank you for sharing your love with us of Lord of the rings. And Zarko and Tresa from BZ travels our friends of ours so I’m glad you watch them as well. Thank you for following along on our journey and thanks for your kind words.

[@tatjanaanderlic7212]

👌👍 Lep pozdrav iz Slovenije

[@livingphase2]

Thank you!

[@johnhunady3526]

Enjoyed your video a lot. You captured the most stunning moments there and the rain made everything so green and lush. Thank you for taking us along with you.

[@livingphase2]

Thank you for following along with us! And thanks for your kind words.

[@user-hf1vo1ej1b]

Absolutely wonderful! Beautiful video, photos and love your comments and explanations! Thank you!❤️

[@livingphase2]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cathypowell7254]

It looks amazing. Mikes smile and enthusiasm tells it all. Thanks again for another great video. 💜💙

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much. Mike was like a kid in a candy store going through Hobbiton.

[@juanitafurtado8805]

a total delight and thank you for the hobbity music too

[@livingphase2]

Thanks. This was a fun one!

[@latebloomerabroad]

I'm envious! I was going to visit Hobbiton on my 6-month trip around the world in 2022, but New Zealand still wouldn't let visitors in. It's as cute as I thought it would be.

[@livingphase2]

Well, now, if you get to go back, you’ll get to see inside the hobbit hole.😀

[@kimstarck284]

You're on an adventure! Thank you again for taking me with you.

[@livingphase2]

Our pleasure!

[@bryanblackburn6928]

This is definitely on my bucket list.

[@livingphase2]

You won't be disappointed

[@jxchamb]

Absolutely loved that intro.

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much!

[@lisaviviano1568]

What a special time you had together!

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much!

[@thestickman196]

Wow! Super cool...definitely on my bucketlist!

[@livingphase2]

Go for it!

[@wandamora2505]

Another awesome video! Thank you for taking us along.

[@livingphase2]

Thanks for joining us on our journey!

[@ReflectionDestinations]

Amazing! Interested in your rain gear- could see REI?

[@livingphase2]

Yes the rain jackets are a cortex REI, but the pants are just an Amazon purchase rain pants. The shoes however are full waterproof hiking shoes so we were head to toe waterproof

[@badputts]

What a wonderful tour! Thank you so much for such a fun detailed video of how amazing it all is!😊

[@livingphase2]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@pennylawson9660]

Good morning from North Carolina. So glad I found your channel.

[@livingphase2]

Good morning North Carolina! Glad you found us too.😀

[@desertsunset8025]

Bravo ❤️ 👏 ❤️ 👏 !!!!

[@livingphase2]

Thank you!

[@davidpaul4974]

We had the evening banquet last July, amazing experience, so much food. The beer is from a brewery in Hamilton, Good George also an amazing place to visit if you like craft beer.

[@livingphase2]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing this with us.😀

[@kategibb5245]

Am a huge fan of Lord of the rings,read the books in the 60s and viewed the films multiple times.I would so love to see Hobbiton but at almost,76 the journey from UK to NZ is a bit far.It did look wonderful.

[@livingphase2]

So glad you got to see it through our eyes. Thanks so much for following along on our journey.

[@sherryromain8598]

My sister is a big lord of the rings fan. Just sent her a link to your channel

[@livingphase2]

Thanks so much. We truly appreciate that.

[@mrscuteas]

My husband and I have cruised to New Zealand 4 times and I am yet to visit Hobiton because my husband is not a Lord of the Rings fan but we do plan on driving around New Zealand in the future so I’m just going to drive there and leave him waiting in the rental car or van 😂❤

[@livingphase2]

I love that!

[@dianasmith5912]

You to have to much fun

[@livingphase2]

Yes we do don't we 🤣🤣🤣

[@jakioliphant6906]

Good morning from Florida

[@livingphase2]

Good morning!

[@Smurfatnz]

So would you come back to our country? You picked one of the only wet days we had in weeks to come here 😂😂

[@livingphase2]

Well, then you certainly needed the rain. It didn’t dampen our spirits. And we most certainly planned to come back for a longer visit.

[@dianasmith5912]

Where did you get the music from

[@livingphase2]

It's directly from our editing software it comes with royalty free music for us to use in our production. We use PowerDirector by CyberLink

[@sunshinerain1577]

I fell a sleep everytime trying to watch. Gave up on the 4th try. This is cool either way. Btw you too are disappearing, what are they feeding ya on that boat😂. 💛❤️🇨🇦

[@livingphase2]

Thank you. Honestly, we’re getting some great food on the ship. Thanks for following along on our journey.

[@jxchamb]

Are you a book reader? I've read Lord Of Rings numerous times and I can't recommend it enough.

[@sunshinerain1577]

@@livingphase2 oh I bet. Just shows that you guys are being active and having fun doing so.

[@sunshinerain1577]

@@jxchamb unfortunately not. Besides my young adult years being addicted to the R.L Stine books (not goosbumbs ones) my A.d.h.d makes it nearly impossible. Everyone who has watched it says wonderful things .

[@MissyDcherrydaisypie25]

I’m curious to know if the shepherd just gave the land/sold them it or they decided we can make a business out of this and are running it ? I did see the sheep 😊

[@livingphase2]

There's a whole long story of how the producers found that spot in a helicopter and then met with the owners of the farm for the initial Lord of the Rings movies. They father and owner of the land didn't have a clue what they were talking about but his son heard them and knew exactly what they were asking and then he said of course will let you build hobbiton on our land. Then after the movies were such a hit and they wanted to make the Hobbit they came back and this was after they had put the land all back exactly how it was, to rebuilding and this time the Farmers Family said well how about we go into business together you build it more permanently and then we'll make it a traction after the movie's done. So they are business partners with Peter Jackson for this entire set. And oh yes by the way there's tons of sheep and cattle on this land it's a huge amount of land outside of hobbiton

[@DexterTheDuck]

It comes in pints?

[@livingphase2]

Yes, it does Master Dexter, and you can even have multiple ones. Just don't give away the real name of Mr Underhill. 🤣🤣🤣

[@AndoInAus]

Do you know which date you were here?

[@livingphase2]

Monday March 4th 2024

[@AndoInAus]

@@livingphase2 Ahh so you were probably on the RC ship that docked in Wellington the same day as us on P&O!

[@nancybarta8167]

I know when my ex husband was in VietNam I had to send him all The lord of The Rings Books to get him through his time there.

[@livingphase2]

I love that story, they're an amazing read and especially since you just noticed this and we just left Vietnam

[@jackiewiggins4188]

did you reread the Lord of the Rings before going to Hobbiton? or watch the movies?

[@livingphase2]

Mike did!😀

[@nadeansimmons226]

That would have been a Kiwi pie and not an Australian pie, surely?

[@livingphase2]

It’s very possible. But we got the name from the menu. And it’s what they called it.

[@jxchamb]

One does not simply cruise to Mordor.

[@livingphase2]

You do if you have eight other friends!😂😂😂 that was hilarious.

[@jxchamb]

Is the Hobbit house canon? Is It the house of a hobbit family from the books? Or is completly made up?

[@livingphase2]

There are two specifically from the books the most famous is of course Bag End the home of Bilbo and it is done and it's best to replica to be faithful to books as possible the second is the house of the old gaffer. It really is quite incredible what they've done there

[@lamkaz810]

I cruise to Tauranga, the drive to Hobbiton is much quicker.

[@livingphase2]

That's what we've heard, unfortunately no choices to wear the ship docks. 😄