Auckland

Waitomo & Hobbiton Guided Tour departing Auckland

Badge of ExcellenceAuckland, New Zealand
Waitomo Caves and The Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Movie Set Day Trip from Auckland
  • 12 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Go on a Hobbiton tour from Auckland and see the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, starting with a scenic drive through New Zealand’s North Island aboard a luxury coach. You’ll be enthralled by the illuminated Glowworm Grotto during an underground boat ride on the Waitomo River. Then pose for photos in front of hobbit holes at the Hobbiton Movie Set, home to Bilbo Baggins from ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogies. Picnic lunch included.
  • Full-day tour from Auckland to two of New Zealand’s most magical sites
  • Take a boat ride to the glowworm grotto to see thousands of glowworms twinkling in the darkness
  • Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch
  • Explore the Hobbiton Movie Set, where parts of The Lord of the Rings movies were filmed
  • Have you photo taken in front of a hobbit hole!

What's Included

  • Transport by luxury coach
  • Lunch
  • Pick up from selected hotels - please call to book
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • WiFi on board

    Meeting and Pickup

    Meeting point

    • 102 Hobson Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

      The meeting point is the InterCity Bus Terminal

    Start time

    07:45 AM

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    What To Expect

    After hotel pickup in Auckland, enjoy a morning snack on board the luxury coach during a scenic drive through the North Island’s rolling hills and lush farmland. Listen to your guide’s commentary as you travel through the Waikato and King Country regions, and learn of the colonial history between British settlers and the Maori in Rangariri.

    Upon arrival in Waitomo, you’re taken to the noteworthy Waitomo Caves for a guided tour. Descend underground into the limestone caverns to view stunning stalactites formed over centuries. Drift along the Waitomo River during a short boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto, where a breathtaking display of tiny illuminated lights glow in the darkness. Discover the mystery behind the luminescence of thousands of glowworms before enjoying a provided picnic lunch.  

    Your day trip continues across the Kaimai Ranges toward Matamata, where you’ll visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, a working sheep farm and significant filming location for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movie series, all of which were filmed throughout New Zealand. Discover how the site was transformed into JRR Tolkien’s The Shire — home of Bilbo Baggins and his fellow hobbits. Have your photo taken in front of a hobbit hole and see the pond, the Mill, the Green Dragon Inn and more.

    GreatSights

    15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

    Hobbiton Movie Set

    2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Infants must sit on laps
    • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
    • Most travelers can participate
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 48 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

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    Reviews

    4.5
    649 reviews
    Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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    Reviews by Viator travelers.
    Showing 1-10 of 649 reviews
    Hobbiton is a MUST DO
    PhilisAnn_B, Apr 2024
    Don’t let the staging area fool you… There is an amazing Hobbit village waiting for visitors on the other side of the road. Our knowledgeable guide did a great job of pacing our large group past and occasionally into the MANY uniquely designed Hobbit homes. This 2+ hour tour was just amazing!
    Excellent day trip!
    Nicole_W, Mar 2024
    I was so appreciative of the absolute precise timing of the entire day. Every minute of the tour was planned and it made it so smooth and organized. The driver, Rachel, was excellent. I really enjoyed the informative commentary on the bus. The tours were both wonderful. I would highly recommend this itinerary for anyone looking to go to Hobbiton and Waitomo from Auckland!
    The worst trip we had ever
    Jacqueline_H, Mar 2024
    First time to Auckland and arrived 10mins in advance at the meeting point, but no one contact us as usual, and tried to contact the tour operator but no response at all, and finally the bus be left without any notification. Our family’s first trip in Auckland is completely ruined. Don’t join the tour rendered by ‘GreatSights’! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
    A day late & a dollar short!
    John_L, Mar 2024
    Hobbiton was fun, but our experience was shattered when our bus driver failed to return us to our ship in time. Our cruise left us stranded in Aukland, and that's where the expenses started racking up! We spent nearly $1,000 on hotels, food, taxis & bus fares. Not to mention the additional $700 spent on another Viator excursion that was missed the following day.Needless to say I was very underwhelmed with the overall experience. Note to self, you can't trust tour operators outside of the ones provided by the cruise to return to the ship in a timely manner. Our proposed 10 hour excursion turned into an 11.5 hour excursion. Ugh!!!
    The Wonder of Hobbiton
    John_S, Mar 2024
    The Waitomo caves were first, and impressive. Hobbiton, however, was fantastic. The attention to detail, friendliness and knowledge of the tour guides excellent. A true once in a lifetime experience. A+++++
    It's worth the trip!
    MariaCarissima_Y, Mar 2024
    The whole experience is very memorable. Being able to see and imagine them filming or using the sets for the film is fantastic. The guide was also very helpful with the information that he shared with us, even took time to take our photos for us.
    Very memorable
    Micaila_H, Mar 2024
    The tour guide was awesome, such a sweet guy and walked us through the drive. The whole thing was very organized and I’m so glad we did this, I would do it again!
    Memorable
    mario, Mar 2024
    Both Hobbiton and Waitomo are great places to visit. Great guide who explained all from start to finish.
    Response from Host, Mar 2024
    Kia ora Mario, Thank you for your 5 star review, we really appreciate it! Kind regards, Anna and the team at GreatSights
    Wonderful
    Mary_P, Mar 2024
    Other than the very long bus drive and rain it was excellent. Not sure but I only remember the mention of uneven ground, it would be helpful to know in advance that we would be traveling quite a bit in elevation, I would have brought my cane. Our guide Rachel was great and her driving very safe. Joe at the cave was a delight and Jacob at Hobbiton fantastic. Would have like a little more time at the gift shop in Hobbiton but understandable considering the length of the total tour.
    Caves, hobbits and long bus ride 😜
    Marcelle_M, Mar 2024
    The Waitomo caves with glowworms was our first stop and was great. Then off to Hobbiton. Very long bus ride. Our coach driver was very funny and kept us entertained. Bring a book to read on bus. If you love Hobbits you will be happy with tour. You get to see the country side of the North Island which is beautiful.
    Response from Host, Mar 2024
    Kia ora Marcelle, We appreciate you taking the time to write your review. It is a long bus ride but the bonus is you get to sit back and relax while our driver does all the work! Glad you enjoyed the tour. Kind regards, Anna and the team at GreatSights
    Had a great time!
    Gina_C, Mar 2024
    Had a blast! Our tour guide, Kenny, was awesome. Had a great sense of humor and tons of knowledge. A must do on a visit to Auckland.
    Perfect day
    Tania_N, Mar 2024
    Hobbiton was so much better than expectet with so much to look at. A very good guide made the day even better. The gloweworms and caves were also worth a visit eventhough I would have liked more time to look at the worms because it was so buitiful. The busride was perfect and I loved that the driver told stories and anecdotes that I wouldn't know otherwise. A perfect day for me
    Glow worm cabe and hobiton
    Charlotta_D, Mar 2024
    Sights wee awesome, tours were efficient (no waiting in lines) and driver was excellent. Highly recommend this one!
    Great
    MelitzaJ_B, Mar 2024
    Don’t recommend great sights tour. The driver was knowledgeable but rude the group was too large. Do small group tour the price is the same. With that said cave was awesome the staff the Hobbiton was spectacular. Well worth it
    Great trip.
    debralynnmontgomery, Mar 2024
    The caves were amazing and Hobbiton was super. The driver was very engaging and informative. A lot of time on the bus but well worth it!
    Amazing!
    Susan_H, Mar 2024
    Our driver was amazing. So knowledgeable. We loved his history as well. Enjoyed the caves and Hobbiton. I’ll always remember this. Best tour. A must. Long but so worth every minute.
    Absolutely a must do
    Gary_C, Feb 2024
    Rachael, our driver was awesome, funny and informative. The sights are fantastic and Racheal made it a perfect day!
    Bucket List CHECK OFF
    Julie_A, Feb 2024
    Con: Greeter was the worse - not address anyone, return greeting, no smile, no help Pro: Rachel the driver/guide - addressed everyone, helped, clear voice, clear instructions. Gave detail information on the way about everything around us. Cave/Worm - tour peaceful, guide was a gentleman - not as many worms/glow as expected. Lunch provided in tour was sandwich, waffle, choc, potatoes and plenty of water - very good. Hobbiton - off on rain but they provided umbrellas, breath taking and so glad we went.
    Gloworms & Hobbits… a great pairing!
    David_B, Feb 2024
    Magical day at Waitomo glowworm caves and Hobbiton. Pick up was good at Auckland bus station. Driver was great. Continually gave out loads of info about NZ on the coach trip. Nice lunch included, Highly recommend this trip, great value for money
    Long trip....but worth the time
    Roberta_K, Feb 2024
    The caves and Hobbiton exceeded my expectations! The glowworm caves were very cool. You really felt like you were at Bilbo's house in Hobbiton set.
    ...

    From $230.25

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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