Hobbits returning 'home'

Hobbiton is well on its way to its former Lord of the Rings glory.

Fairfax community newspaper Matamata Chronicle was given an exclusive tour of Hobbiton as work on the Bucklands Rd set pushes ahead.

Massive transformations have taken place since reconstruction began last year for filming of The Hobbit, to be released in two parts.

Reconstruction of most of the 38 original hobbit holes is now well under way.

Details about when filming will begin are under wraps and visiting tourists are required to sign a contract stating they will not sell their photos.

Hobbiton media and communications manager Ian Brodie continues to be amazed at the on-site progress. "It changes every day," he said.

Although some imagination is still required to see beyond the plastic sheets, sandbags and plywood, several new hobbit holes are clearly visible.

Many of the holes from the original Lord of the Rings set have been numbered for reconstruction. Holes destroyed after filming have been re-dug and are now being rebuilt.

Hedgerows, apple trees and pear trees have sprung up throughout the Hobbit village. An amused Mr Brodie has already caught a few tourists helping themselves to the fruit.

On the other side of the lake, trucks and diggers are busy re-creating the site for the Hobbiton mill, with construction of the stone bridge to follow.

Mr Brodie said Hobbiton's tourist appeal steadily picked up after news broke of the reconstruction last year. "We had some increase in numbers over the summer," he said.

Mr Brodie said Hobbiton was something of a novelty.

"It's the first time a major film set has been open to the public."

When completed, the entire set for The Hobbit will look exactly the same as it did in Lord of the Rings.

Reports suggest shooting on the film could start between June and October this year and The Hobbit could be shot for a 3-D release.