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Guided Tours

From Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set, Waitomo Caves, & Te Puia Guided Tour

Hobbiton Movie Set with lush greenery, Waitomo Caves' glowworms, Te Puia's geothermal features, Auckland tour.
Hobbiton Movie Set with lush greenery, Waitomo Caves' glowworms, Te Puia's geothermal features, New Zealand tour.
Tour group observing geothermal activity at Te Puia in Rotorua during a guided tour from Auckland
Maori carver creating intricate wood carvings at Te Puia in Rotorua, New Zealand, as part of the Te Rā Guided Experience

Deep dive into the magical world at Hobbiton, the bioluminescent glowworms at Waitomo Caves, and Maori culture at Te Puia, all in one day.

Highlights

  • Go on this day trip from Auckland and explore 44 hobbit holes, glowworms lighting up dark caves, and a geyser erupting up to 20 times a day!

  • Stroll across the yellow door of Samwise Gamgee and Rosie Cotton’s hobbit hole while listening to your guide dish out anecdotes about the film’s creation.

  • See the massive stalactites growing down from the ceiling and the blue-green glowworms lighting up the dark cave from your boat.

  • Watch skilled artisans demonstrate their carving and weaving skills and catch sight of the rare kiwi on the lush trails of Te Puia.

  • Did you know? It is believed that Maori chief Tane Tinorau was the first person to discover the Waitomo Caves during the 1800s.

Inclusions

  • Full-day tour to Hobbiton Movie Set from Auckland

  • Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland

  • English-speaking tour guide

  • Guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Caves

  • Access to Pohutu Geyser & Maori Cultural Village

  • Access to National Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and kiwi bird viewing

  • Boat ride at Waitomo Caves

  • Complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn

  • Lunch

  • Entry to Hobbiton Movie Set, Te Puia Geothermal Park, & Waitomo Caves

Cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

A day in the Shire

Get away from Auckland for the day by taking this guided tour to Hobbiton Movie Set, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and Te Puia. With an expert guide and just a small group of fellow nature, culture, and film enthusiasts, experience some of New Zealand’s most iconic sites in a single day. Your day begins at Hobbiton, a 1250-acre farm home to the famous set of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series. Spend your time walking past 44 charming hobbit holes with unique details like a washing line or a blooming garden or walking on the double-arched bridge with lush greenery on either side, listening to your guide give interesting trivia about the movie set. Make a stop at the rustic Green Dragon Inn where you can enjoy a specially brewed ale or ginger beer from their Southfarthing Range while staying warm by the crackling fireside.

Step into a mystical underground world at Waitomo

The adventure continues to the otherworldly Waitomo Caves, where you can discover a stunning underground world of limestone formations formed millions of years ago. Take a serene boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto to see the bioluminescent glowworms lighting up the dark cave ceiling like a starry sky, creating a magical and tranquil experience like no other.

What to bring

  • Bring a pair of comfortable shoes, an umbrella, water bottle, sunscreen, hat, and preferred mode of cashless payment for your visit.

What's not allowed

  • Photography and videography are not allowed in Waitomo Caves as the glowworms react negatively to flashlights and will stop glowing, which will take 2 hours to return to their full luminescence.

  • Pets are not allowed inside Waitomo Caves.

Accessibility

  • This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

  • This experience is pram/ stroller accessible.

Additional information

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

  • Please display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID during the pick-up.

Hotel transfers

  • This tour includes pick-up and drop-offs.

  • While booking, please provide the name of your hotel.

  • This is applicable to all hotels in Auckland CBD.

  • On the day of your tour, please arrive at your hotel lobby 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time.

  • If your hotel does not have a lobby, please wait at the entrance of your hotel.

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