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Day Trips

From Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour

Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves tour from Auckland with lush landscapes.
Guided river boat ride through illuminated Waitomo Caves, New Zealand.
Waitomo Caves tour from Auckland with scenic landscape.
Hobbiton Movie Set with lush green hills and iconic round doors, New Zealand.

Set off on a day-long adventure from Auckland, exploring hobbit homes at the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo's luminous glowworm caves.

Highlights

  • Join a guided day tour of the Hobbiton movie set and the historic Waitomo Caves formed over 30 million years ago.
  • Benefit from round-trip transfers from Auckland, experiencing the magical world of Middle Earth and the luminescent glowworms in Waitomo.
  • Explore the Hobbiton Movie Set, admire the iconic Hobbit Holes and The Mill, and savor a refreshing drink at the pub featured in the movie.
  • Discover Waitomo Caves' beauty, featuring age-old rock formations, and a boat ride beneath a canopy of twinkling glowworms.
  • Fun fact: The Hobbiton set has 44 hobbit holes, with the holes for the actors playing hobbits built at 90% scale, and the holes for Gandalf built at 60% scale.

Inclusions

  • Full-day tour to Hobbiton Movie Set from Auckland
  • Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland
  • Small group or private guided(based on option selected)
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Guided tour of Hobbiton movie set
  • Guided tour of Waitomo Caves
  • Boat ride at Waitomo Caves
  • Picnic lunch (based on option selected)
  • Live commentary (based on option selected)
  • Complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn
  • Water and snacks
  • AC minibus or Mercedes luxury vehicle (based on option selected)
  • Entry to Hobbiton Movie Set
  • Entry to Waitomo Caves

Itinerary

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Hotel Pickup

Start with a hotel pickup in Auckland CBD, followed by a 2-hour scenic drive through Waikato's countryside. Enjoy views of the Kaimai Range along the way.

Arrive at Hobbiton Movie Set

Board the Hobbiton bus to the 12-acre movie set of 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit.' Explore Hobbiton, experiencing the same magical landscapes seen in Peter Jackson's famous trilogies, that has mesmerized audiences globally.

Guided Tour of Hobbiton

Join a guided tour through Hobbiton, exploring the colorful Hobbit Holes, including Bag End, home of Bilbo Baggins. Visit The Mill, and marvel at the picturesque Double Arched Bridge. Learn fascinating details about the set's creation and its transformation from farmland to a slice of Middle-earth. The tour includes a stop at the Green Dragon Inn for a complimentary beverage.

Drive to Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Next, head towards the mystical Waitomo Glowworm Caves, renowned for their natural beauty and luminescent inhabitants.

Waitomo Caves guided walk

Embark on a guided stroll through the Waitomo Glowworm Cave. Marvel at spectacular limestone formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, and learn about the cave's geological past and the natural forces that shaped these wonders.

Waitomo River boat ride

The tour's climax is a serene boat ride through the caves, where you'll encounter the Arachnocampa Luminosa, a species of glowworm native to New Zealand. These tiny creatures create a breathtaking luminescent display, lighting up the cave ceiling like a star-filled sky.

Return to Auckland

End your tour with a relaxing drive back to Auckland and a drop-off at your hotel.

What to bring

  • When you visit Waitomo, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).
  • If you have any special dietary requirements, it is recommended to pack your own lunch and snacks
  • Bring a charging cable, sunscreen, camera, a hat, or a cap for your trip.
  • Pack for a weather-ready kit; who knows when the skies might decide to be moody?
  • Bring local currency for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

What's not allowed

  • Photography is not allowed at Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
  • Keep in mind that bikes and surfboards are not allowed on this experience.
  • Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience

Accessibility

  • This tour is accessible to those with reasonable mobility.
  • The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users.

Additional information

  • Facilities: Free Wi-Fi, USB charging ports.
  • Children below 7 years must be in a child safety seat as per the legal requirement in New Zealand. Guests can mention their need for a safety or booster seat during the booking process.
  • Guests are allowed to bring one large case and one carry-on bag per person. Guests will have to pay 40$ per item for additional luggage and must make the required arrangements with the operator before the day of the tour.
  • It's recommended to wear a warm jacket along with comfortable shoes.
  • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

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

Hotel Transfers

  • This ticket includes hotel pickups and drop-offs.

  • In the next step of booking, please specify the name and address 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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