Join this tour to visit two of New Zealand’s most famous attractions, Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves, in one easy day trip from Auckland. Our tour from 1 December 2023 will be the extended Hobbiton Experience (now 2.5 hours) where you can venture beyond the door to a fully themed Hobbit Hole interior. Immerse yourself in the interior with entry hall, bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, dining area, equipped bathroom, parlour and crackling fireplace. Be fascinated as the magical world of Hobbiton comes to life and take photos in front of your favourite places like the Hobbit Holes, the Shire and the Green Dragon Inn. Then journey to the World Famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves and be captivated by the thousands of magical glowworms twinkling in the Grottos, the stalactites and stalagmites as you glide silently through the cave by boat. Marvel at the stunning scenery en route as we journey off the motorways into the real hinterland of New Zealand. All admission fees and cafe lunch included.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Small-group tour (11-16)
✔ Light Kiwi café-style lunch
✔ Local taxes
✔ Admission ticket: Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves
✔ Hotel pickup and drop-off from downtown Auckland City
✔ Local driver/guide
✖ Food and drinks, unless specified
Pickup Locations
1. Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences
2. M Social Auckland
3. The Chancellor on Hobson
4. SkyCity Hotel
5. Crowne Plaza Auckland, an IHG Hotel
6. Ramada Suites By Wyndham Victoria Street West
7. Grand Millennium Auckland
8. Airedale Boutique Suites
9. Four Points by Sheraton Auckland
10. Auckland City Hotel - Hobson St
11. VR Queen Street
12. The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
13. Movenpick Hotel Auckland
14. Park Hyatt Auckland
15. Auckland Harbour Suites
16. CityLife Auckland
17. Parkside Hotel & Apartments
18. Econo Lodge City Central
19. The Grand by SkyCity
20. Heritage Auckland
Additional Info: All centrally Located Auckland hotels, BNBs, Backpacker Hotels in the Central Business District. Any of the following or others(not mentioned) in the Central Business District
Adina Apartments
Air BNBs- all Downtown CBC BNBs
Airedale Suites, 380 Queen Street
Ascotia off Queen
Attic Backpackers, 31 Wellesley Street West
Auckland City Hotel, 157 Hobson Street
Auckland Harbour Suites
Avani Metropolis
Backpackers-all CBD locations
Barclay Suites
Choice Backpackers, 10 Wellesley Street East
City Life
Copthorne, 150 Anzac Avenue
Cordis
Crowne Plaza
De Bretts Hotel
Dilworth
Econolodge
Empire Apartments
Fable Hotel
Gamma Hotel
Grand Chancellor, 1 Hobson Street
Grand Millennium
Haka Hotel & Suites, 2 Day Street (only)
Haka Lodge, 373 Karangahape Rd
Heritage
Hilton
Hobson Lodge, 224 Hobson Street
Holiday Inn Express, CBD
Ibis City (Wyndham Street)
Imagine
Kiwi International, 411 Queen Street
Mercure Auckland, 500 Queen St
Metropolis (Avani Metropolis)
MSocial
Nesuto Stadium Apartment Hotel, 40 Beach Road
Nesuto St. Martins, St. Martins Lane
Newton Lodge, 27 Cross Street
President Hotel
Princes Wharf Apartments
Pullman
Quadrant Hotel & Suites
Quest (all CBD locations)
Ramada Suites, 147 Victoria Street
Rydges
Sebel (both Viaduct Harbour and Quay West)
Sebel Manukau, 16 Lakewood Court, Manukau-for those staying near the airport
Sky City Grand
Sky City Hotel
Sofitel
SO Hotel, cnr Customs Street and Gore Street
Stamford Plaza
Star Park Apartments, 30B Swanson St
Star Queen Apartments, 438 Queen Street
Star Victoria Apartments, 64 Federal Street
Sudima, 63-67 Nelson Street
Swiss bel Suites
Travelodge, Packenham Street West, Wynyard Quarter
Voco
VR Auckland City, 188 Queen Street
VR Queen Street, 401 Queen Street
YHA Backpackers, 5 Turner Street
Itinerary
1
Auckland Scenic Tours
After leaving Auckland you will travel south over the Bombay Hills as you get elevated panoramic views of the Waikato Region and travel across the scenic Hauraki Plains to Matamata, the home of Hobbiton Movie Set.
2
Hobbiton Movie Set
Begin with a tour through the picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across the Kaimai Ranges. Your guide will escort you through the 10 acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton Movie Set was created. Hobbit Holes, The Green Dragon Inn, The Mill and other structures can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into the Shire from Middle-earth. Complimentary specially brewed beverages are available at the Green Dragon Inn as you complete your tour
Afterwards, enjoy a very “Kiwi” style lunch at the "Homestead" and get to share stories from Hobbiton and interact with your fellow travellers.
Duration: 2 hours
3
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
You will then travel to the mesmerizing Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Be amazed by the thousands of magical glowworms as you glide silently by boat in the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Your guide on this 45-minute tour will likely be a descendant of the Maori Chief who originally explored the Caves and can share with you the remarkable history of the area. Walk through the majestic Cathedral Cave famous for its acoustics
Your return trip to Auckland will then take you initially through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful countryside before following northwards the majestic Waikato River, the longest river in New Zealand, part of the way back to Auckland. You will pass Ngaruawahia, the home of the Maori King; Taupiri with its very sacred Maori burial ground.
To complete that day, you will be taken back to your hotel in the Auckland CBD.
Duration: 4 hours
Additional info
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Minimum age is 4 years
• A maximum of 14 people per booking (We can provide this tour to groups larger than 14 by discussions with Viator and ourselves)
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Not Wheel-Suitable Friendly as these are walking tours
• We can provide NZ Safety Approved Child Car Seats and Booster Seats. We do not provide strollers or infant back packs