Lord of the Rings fans, we’d like to inform you that Hobbiton is no longer a 12-hour journey from Singaporeton. Now, you can journey across Middle-earth and find yourself in the Shire in all of 35 minutes from Woodlands Checkpoint.
Ready to set off? Here’s everything you need to know about Hobbit Austin in Mount Austin, JB:
Image credit: Hobbit Austin via Google Maps
Probably even better than the short journey here is the free entry to Hobbit Austin. By day, it’s a photo spot, and by night, it transforms into a music market with alfresco camping seats under twinkling fairy lights.
Image credit: @le_le_dou_dou_ via Instagram
The best part: It’s pet-friendly too, so you may spot a number of furry pals on your visit!
Image credit: Hobbit Austin via Google Maps
The spot is so newly opened, there’s little info to go on, but what we can see from photos online is that the free-to-enter attraction features everything you’d expect from a LOTR set – hobbit holes seemingly carved into a hillside, gardens, and even woodland creatures.
Image credit: Hobbit Austin via Google Maps
You’ll feel like you’ve literally been transported to the real film set in New Zealand, sans the temperate climate and rolling sheep pastures around.
A completely different scene unfolds by night, as the sun sets and the lights come on. Live bands start to play, and various eateries start selling munchies and drinks; we’ve spotted bak kut teh, waffles, Chinese skewers AKA chuan chuan, coffee, bingsu, and punch lemon tea for starters.
You have options: There are indoor seats with air conditioning, and chill camping chairs under the stars where you can sit back and relax to the live music – the bands are on from 8pm to 11pm daily. Even if you’re seated outdoors, there are large fans aplenty to keep you cool.
As the place is still in its launch phase, do expect that there will still be changes and updates to the lineup and hours.
Discounting any traffic, Hobbit Austin is under 25 minutes by car from CIQ in Johor Bahru. Alternatively, take service J11 from JB Sentral to Opp Petron Jalan Daya, where you’ll have to walk 15 minutes to the attraction – it’s a 1.5-hour journey this way.
To save yourself that hassle, consider booking yourself one of the licensed taxis from Singapore to JB, or the KTM shuttle and a Grab locally.
Image credit: Hobbit Austin via Google Maps
Do something different on your next JB trip, and live your best LOTR life at Hobbit Austin. Who knows, you might even meet your very own Frodo Baggins there!
Address: Lot PTD 58061, Jalan Mutiara Emas 8, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 12pm-12am, Daily
Contact: Hobbit Austin website
For more JB reads:
Cover image adapted from: Hobbit Austin, Vivien Teo via Facebook
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