• Auckland Central - Departing from Auckland, the journey heads south over the Bombay Hills, offering elevated panoramic views of the Waikato Region. Travel across the scenic Hauraki Plains to reach Matamata, the location of the Hobbiton Movie Set.
• Hobbiton Movie Set - Start with a tour of the charming 1,250-acre sheep farm, featuring stunning views of the Kaimai Ranges. A guide will lead you through the 10-acre site, sharing intriguing details about the creation of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Explore Hobbit Holes, The Green Dragon Inn, The Mill, and other structures, witnessing how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into the Shire from Middle-earth. Enjoy complimentary specially brewed beverages at the Green Dragon Inn as you conclude your tour.

Afterwards, savor a “Kiwi” style lunch at the “Homestead,” where you can share stories from Hobbiton and engage with fellow travelers.

• Waitomo Glowworm Caves - Next, travel to the enchanting Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Be captivated by thousands of magical glowworms as you glide silently by boat in the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Your guide for this 45-minute tour is likely a descendant of the Maori Chief who first explored the Caves and will share the area’s remarkable history. Walk through the majestic Cathedral Cave, renowned for its acoustics.

The return journey to Auckland will take you through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful countryside, following the majestic Waikato River, the longest river in New Zealand, part of the way back to Auckland. Pass by Ngaruawahia, home of the Maori King, and Taupiri, with its sacred Maori burial ground.

To conclude the day, you will be returned to your hotel in the Auckland CBD.

• Small-group tour (11-16)
• Light Kiwi café-style lunch
• Local taxes
• Admission ticket: Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Hotel pickup and drop-off from downtown Auckland City
• Local driver/guide

• Food and drinks, unless specified

Embark on a journey to explore two of New Zealand’s renowned sights, the Hobbiton Film Site and Waitomo Caves, with a convenient day tour from Auckland. Starting from December 1, 2023, our trip features the extended Hobbiton Experience (now lengthened to 2.5 hours), which lets you step inside a fully furnished Hobbit Hole. Explore the detailed interior, including the entrance hall, bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, dining room, a second bathroom, the parlour, and a cosy, flickering fireplace. As Hobbiton springs into existence, don’t forget to take pictures at iconic spots like the Hobbit Holes, the Shire, and the Green Dragon Inn. Next, experience the globally acclaimed Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Be enchanted by the sight of thousands of luminous glowworms in the Grottos, and the stalactites and stalagmites while you silently float through the cave by boat. Our route off the main roads offers views of stunning landscapes characterising the genuine backcountry of New Zealand. The tour includes all entrance fees and a meal at a cafe.

• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Minimum age is 4 years
• A maximum of 14 people per booking (We can provide this tour to groups larger than 14 by discussions with Viator and ourselves)
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Not Wheel-Suitable Friendly as these are walking tours
• We can provide NZ Safety Approved Child Car Seats and Booster Seats. We do not provide strollers or infant back packs
• We do not pick up from the suburbs of Auckland; only the Downtown CBD and 1 location in South Auckland for those staying near the airport-The Sebel Manukau Hotel, 16 Lakewood Court, Manukau
• There is no photography allowed in the area of the Caves where the glowworms are as the glowworms react negatively to flashlight and will turn their lights off and they then take 2 hours to return to their full luminescence.
• Tour leaves Auckland at 6:30am with everyone on board-the pickups occur across the CBD in the 25 minutes prior to that

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.