1 day

Private

About this activity

After being picked up from your Auckland hotel at the time of your choice, sit back and relax on the 2.5-hour drive to the Waitomo Caves. The route takes you beside the Waikato River and through the gently undulating farming country of the Waikato region. Pass the site of the famous battle fought between Maori and British forces at Rangiri, see the sacred Taupiri Mountain and photograph the Pirongia volcano hovering on the horizon if the weather is clear.
At Waitomo, join a 45-minute tour of the amazing glow-worm caves, including a tranquil boat ride on an underground stream to ensure a good view of the glow worms.
Enjoy lunch in Waitomo, then travel by private vehicle to a farm near the small town of Matamata and the Shire's Rest cafe, where your Hobbiton tour begins. You have a choice between a shared group tour or your own private tour.
Lasting just under two hours, your tour takes you on a drive through the bucolic sheep farm that was chosen as the Hobbiton movie set for The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Hear how the location was chosen, how the sets were created and which scenes were shot here. Visit famous sites from the films, including the cute Hobbit holes cut into the ground at Bag End, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and the Party Tree.
Your tour concludes at the quaint Shire's Rest cafe, where your private guide will collect you for your return trip to Auckland. Follow a different route on the journey, and enjoy scenic views of the North Island's countryside before being dropped at your hotel in the city.

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Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transport by private vehicle
Local guide
Lunch
Snacks
Beverages hot and cold
All taxes and park fees
Entry/Admission - Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Not included

Gratuities

Additional

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 2 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Outdoor clothing for the day’s weather conditions, walking shoes, sun hat, sunscreen and camera.
Please note: Alternative departure times may be arranged, please request on booking. Subject to availability
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Features

Tourism

95%

Cultural

75%

Original

45%

Reviews

4.8

9

c

cheryl a

5 | 2018-02-16

We had only one day in Auckland and decided to do this-What a fantastic guide and trip Much longer than we expected and we would have loved to stop at the small towns with the cows done up for a treat. We could have done with a little less scenery and a stop in the town but it was amazing.Plan for 12 hours..

W

Wayne J

5 | 2017-04-16

This was absolutely amazing. Great and fun guide who really gave us a behind the scenes tour and stories as we drove to see the amazing sites. Our whole group will remember this forever.

J

Jonathan O

5 | 2016-09-28

This was an amazing day! Our tour guide was prompt and so, so polite she made the trip to Waitomo and to the movie set a real pleasure with her delightful conversation. It was surprisingly nice to ride in private transport as opposed to big busses, and the two locations the caves and the movie set were lots of fun. We would highly recommend this tour!

F

Faizan Hassan

5 | 2016-06-13

Amazing tour and tour guide. We had an absolutely amazing time. Highly recommended for anyone visiting New Zealand and Auckland.

W

Willard P

5 | 2016-02-22

Hobbiton is amazing. The caves were like nothing we had ever visited. The journey from Auckland was a bit long but worth it.

K

Kathy L

4 | 2015-11-23

Sofia was a great tour guide, we had a very enjoyable day. Only reason this gets a 4 and not a 5 had nothing to do with the tour company but only that because of a rising river we were unable to do the full Waitomo caves experience had to go out the same way we went in which really backed things up. Had a really enjoyable day and would highly recommend.

m

mary l

4 | 2014-02-03

This private tour worth the price, with friendly and knowledgeable tour bus driver, tour guides at the Caves and at The Hobbiton movie set. We had a great , enjoyable whole day. Highly recommend to people who have not been there before. The buffet lunch was fine if people like BBQ foods, the homemade carrot cakes was excellent.

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