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Hobbiton & Waitomo Small Group Tour - EX Auckland

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Waitomo Glow Worm Caves and Hobbiton Movie Set Return Trip From Auckland

12 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glow Worm Cave on this full-day tour from Auckland. Experience an important Middle-earth and ‘Lord of the Rings’ location on the guided tour of Hobbiton, and sip a refreshment at The Green Dragon Inn. Afterward, take in the twinkling light of glow worms at Waitomo. Ensure your admission to two of New Zealand’s top destinations by booking this tour in advance.

Snap photos in front of hobbit holes and The Green Dragon Inn
Have a drink at The Green Dragon Inn after touring the Hobbiton set
View the natural light of hundreds of glow worms inside a cave at Waitomo
See the Kaitama Ranges and North Island countryside during the bus journey

What's Included

GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Bottled water
Light refreshments
Snacks
Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.

Meeting points

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Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

06:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Pickups are from selected hotels in Auckland City, Exact pick-up location and time will be confirmed by our reservations team.

What To Expect

Hobbiton Movie Set

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Infant seats are available on request if advised at time of booking.
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum bookings required for tour to operate.

Infant seats available
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 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.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

356 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 356 reviews

Amazing Fobbiton.

SANGBIN_T, Apr 2024

Strong recommand Hobbiton, it's a must visit place when you go Auckland Newzealand. We will definitely visit again as soon as we have a chance.

Auckland & Beyond: Hobbiton & Waitomo Small Group Tour 10/10!

TJ_C, Apr 2024

Hobbiton and Waitomo are absolute musts for first time visitors to Auckland! Auckland & Beyond did not disappoint. We wanted a smaller group that would be more comfortable than a large bus as the trip takes the whole day. Our tour guide picked up everyone promptly and we were the first group to make it to Hobbiton ahead of all the other smaller groups. Our guide had plenty of local information to share, stories to tell, and was also pretty funny. We never felt rushed at all, but he was always not too far when you needed him. Hobbiton was stunning for both fans of LOTR and those who have never seen the movies or read the books. I was skeptical at first about Waitomo but it really was a beautiful experience. Booking through Auckland & Beyond made it much easier to jump ahead of the crowd of people waiting to go into the caves. It was also really great to be guided through the caves by some of the local people indigenous to the area. Seeing the glow worms in the cave were amazing. Overall, Auckland & Beyond is the way to go. Great driver, comfortable ride, snack and water provided, stopped in Otorohanga to get lunch (we got meat pie's of course). We even made it back to Auckland earlier than expected. Without a doubt would recommend Auckland & Beyond to anyone considering going to Hobbiton and Waitomo.

A perfect day in Hobbiton

Tomika_G, Mar 2024

We decided to take the tour with Viator because we waited until the last min to purchase our tickets to Hobbiton and nothing was available on our own. It did require us to get up super early and start our day around 6am. I’d recommend driving to the first pickup location since it’s a tightly packed van and allows you to pick a seat closer to the front. Our driver was very helpful and patient. My husband wasn’t fond of someone else driving but it was a great opportunity for him to relax and not have to worry about navigating the windy roads and traffic coming back into Auckland. The Hobbiton tour was amazing. It truly felt like we were in the movie. The tour guides were super helpful and knowledgeable. The set was absolutely beautiful We were underwhelmed by Waitamo caves . We saw a lot of lights that were supposed to be the glow worms but I’m not sure . I’m glad we didn’t drive that far just for that activity Overall it was a great experience I’d recommend to others.

MUST DO

Lisa_H, Mar 2024

This was AMAZING I loved it. Jason was the best guide. I will never forget this trip. Comfortable transportation and fully beautiful experience.

Hobbiton, glow-worm caves and host excellent; bus was a torture chamber

Daniel_P, Mar 2024

Raymond was an excellent host and the two attractions were excellent... They've just opened a Hobbit hole at hobbiton to tour (not the actual set which was in Wellington but still a fun experience and the place is immaculately maintained and very beautiful. And the food at the hobbiton cafeteria - true to Hobbit culture - remarkably good (the cheese scone, for example, laced with herbs and some exotic... Pepper?... To die for? The lamb pie also excellent. The glow-worm caves were also fascinating and really enjoyable. Downside... 2.5 hours each way in the bus and 1.5 hours between = 6.5 hours on the most uncomfortable bus I've ever experienced. Literally 6" leg room between seats and some we were last on pickup, we were sent to the back seats without windows. I wound up with a bruise on my knee. VERY disappointing since the scenery was part of our goal. The bus was an inhumane experience.

Great day trip!

Delaine_R, Mar 2024

Raymond was a great guide! The day was long, but it flew by. Hobbiton was gorgeous and the flow works were super cool. We didn’t feel rushed but saw a lot. Definitely recommend this trip.

A marvelous day!

Sam_G, Mar 2024

I was impressed by our tour guide, Hobbiton and the Glowworm caves. As an American I highly recommend this tour as these are experiences you’ll never forget!

Great experience! But the travel was miserable, maybe book with another tour company.

Lindsey_S, Mar 2024

The experiences were wonderful, but the travel aspect left much to be desired. The van we traveled in held 17 people and every seat was booked, including the 4 in the very last row. We were stuffed into the van like a can of sardines. Very uncomfortable for how long we had to sit in the van. This tour company should ALWAYS at least sell 1 less ticket than will fit in the van, no reason to ever have 4 people shoved in the last row. Also, our original seats were taken by another pair of attendees during the first bathroom break, but also, if 1 less ticket was sold, these individuals likely wouldn't have felt the need to steal our seats.

Do it!

Chantelle_S, Mar 2024

I’m not a LOTR die hard fan. I enjoy watching the movies on occasion. But even I really enjoyed it. And the glow worm cave was super cool!!! Sadly you can’t take pics in the caves, but it is still amazing and I highly recommend!! They’re super fascinating!

Hobbiton was the highlight!

Karla_M, Mar 2024

Our favorite part of our trip to New Zealand. Absolutely beautiful and amazing movie set and tour. A must not miss day trip!!!

Terrific Excursion

Leslie_B, Mar 2024

Hobbiton was everything I’d hoped it would be, pure magic. The glow worm caves were fascinating; I wish we could have stayed longer. Paolo was a terrific driver; funny, careful and friendly. Totally recommend.

Above and beyond on a stormy day!

Michael_S, Mar 2024

Despite an extra early start, a rainstorm and heavy traffic the whole day went really smoothly. Gary made sure the ride was as comfortable and fun as possible he provided local insight, information and gave great hints about how to get the best out of the day, with info about what seating gave the best views, which lunch stops were good and how be efficient as possible with the time at the different venues. My husband asked a very detailed question about milk production and although he wasnt able to answer immediately he found someone who could above and beyond! The Hobbiton and Waitomo tours were rich, informational and fun immersive experiences well worth the money. The only criticism was for admin to be able to give participants more warning for an early start.

Driver almost got banned from driving

Bethany_T, Mar 2024

Driver got pulled over for illegal maneuvers and didn't have their logbook and almost got banned from driving. Then almost hit other cars and pedestrians on the way because they were so upset about the infringement. Felt very unsafe. The destinations were amazing though!

Amazing experience

Phuong_B, Mar 2024

Highly recommend this company. We had such an amazing experience. The driver gave us lots of interesting facts and history and made the long drive very enjoyable.

Even more beautiful than I imagined.

Brian_M, Mar 2024

Hobbiton was breath-taking, hobbit home interiors just perfect. Our driver was professional and knowledgeable.

Hobitton & Waitomo toup

Dixin_G, Feb 2024

Excellent experience for Lord of the Ring and Hobbiton Movie set. Waitomo Glowworm is a stunnding experience , too. Highly recommended. Great tour.

We had the most fantastic...

Deirdre_K, Feb 2024

We had the most fantastic time visiting both Hobbiton and the Waitomo glowworm caves! Our guide Adil picked us up right on time and everything was laid out for us to do. He went out of his way to drop us off in front of our air bnb even though it wasn’t the pickup location. Highly recommended, fantastic tours, well worth the price!

Hobbiton and glow worms cave tour

Sravan_P, Feb 2024

Had a great day with the tour. It was well organized and our driver was very informative. My only complaint is that the booking says lunch is included, which it is not- only a bag of chips and bottle of water was provided for the whole day. However, the driver did stop in a small town where we bought lunch in a small restaurant and there are also cafes at Hobbiton and at the caves.

Hobbiton and Glow Worm adventure

Les_G, Feb 2024

Fantastic tour! Our guide was Jason and was very informative and funny. We enjoyed his knowledge of New Zealand and the Hobbiton and Glow worm caves. Highly recommend!!

Hobbiton & Glow Worm Caves were amazing !

Kristin_F, Feb 2024

Chris was an awesome tour host, thank you for spending so much time with us and keeping us on time so we could experience all of the sights. Hobbiton was a dream come true for me, we had enough time on the tour and ended with a drink at the Green Dragon. The Glow worm caves was the coolest thing I have ever seen!!!

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