Hairy Feet, Waitomo

A chance encounter with a brown tourist sign somewhere on State Highway 30 as I approached Waitomo Caves led me to Hairy Feet. This was one of the main filming sites for the Hobbit films - remember the troll cave? Remember when Gandalf had a visit from the brown wizard who subsequently had a stick insect in his mouth? Remember when Bilbo is pounced upon by the wargs? It all happened on this out-of-the-way farm. Suzie runs the place and gives the most incredible tours for just $50. She puts you in the exact places where the actors stood and helps you to recreate famous pics whilst adding different anecdotes from her time working with the crew and actors. We even put our Hobbit costumes on for the occasion! It was perfect and I can't recommend it enough.