Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch
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.
Options
Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Day Trip from Auckland
Pickup included
What's included in Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Auckland CentralPass-by Only
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.
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.
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.
Inclusions
- 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
- 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
- We do not pick up from the suburbs of Auckland; only the Downtown CBD and 1 location in South Auckland for those staying near the airport-The Sebel Manukau Hotel, 16 Lakewood Court, Manukau
- There is no photography allowed in the area of the Caves where the glowworms are as the glowworms react negatively to flashlight and will turn their lights off and they then take 2 hours to return to their full luminescence.
- Tour leaves Auckland at 6:30am with everyone on board-the pickups occur across the CBD in the 25 minutes prior to that
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Please arrive at the pick up point 25 minutes before departure time.
Additional Information
We pick up from 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. We do not pick up from the suburbs of Auckland We also have only 1 pick up location in South Auckland/Auckland Airport area which is the Sebel Manukau Hotel, 16 Lakewood Court, Manukau (approx 10 minutes from the airport) Adina Apartment Hotel, 2 Tapora Street 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, 16 Gore Street Avani Metropolis Backpackers-all CBD locations Barclay Suites Choice Backpackers, 10 Wellesley Street East City Life Copthorne, 150 Anzac Avenue Cordis Hotel, 83 Symonds St Crowne Plaza De Bretts Hotel Dilworth Building Apartments Empire Apartments Fable Hotel Gamma Hotel Grand Chancellor, 1 Hobson Street Grand Millennium Haka House, 5 Turner Street Haka House, 373 Karangahape Rd Heritage Hilton Hotel on Princes Wharf Hobson Lodge, 224 Hobson Street Holiday Inn Express, CBD Ibis City (Wyndham Street) Imagine Intercontinental Hotel on Quay Street (1 Queen Street) Kiwi International, 411 Queen Street Lylo, 54 Cook Street Marriott Hotel, 22 Albert 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 Park Hyatt, 99 Halsey 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 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, 206 Victoria Street West Travelodge, 110 Packenham Street West, Wynyard Quarter Voco Hotel, Wyndham Street VR Auckland City, 188 Hobson Street VR Queen Street, 401 Queen Street