On a road trip, one never knows the surprises that will be around the next curve. On hwy 4, we were traveling to Te Kuiti and the Waitomo Caves and saw a road sign "Piriaka Overlook." Peter Jackson had a difficult decision to select what quant village will become The Shire. This was actually more beautiful then the Alexander Sheep Farm that was used to build Hobbiton. This is middle earth of rolling hills, evergreens, winding rivers and lush woodlands. It was pure New Zealand and a secret place where tourist don't travel.
