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Small-Group Tour: Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Exploration with Lunch from Auckland
5.0
197 Ratings
Auckland
Embark on a small-group tour from Auckland to explore two iconic North Island destinations: Hobbiton and Waitomo. Discover the enchanting Hobbiton Movie Set and the incredible Waitomo Glow Worm caves on this day exploration with lunch included.
Embark on a small-group tour from Auckland to explore two iconic North Island destinations: Hobbiton and Waitomo. Discover the enchanting Hobbiton Movie Set and the incredible Waitomo Glow Worm caves on this day exploration with lunch included.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Taupiri - Enjoy a quick stop on your journey to Hobbiton to grab a coffee and use the toilets if needed (cafe may differ depending on day)
-
Hobbiton Movie Set - Enjoy a group tour of Hobbiton Movie Set before a drink in the Green Dragon. You will then enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at the Party Marquee and time for shopping.
(Tour around the…
- Taupiri - Enjoy a quick stop on your journey to Hobbiton to grab a coffee and use the toilets if needed (cafe may differ depending on day)
- Hobbiton Movie Set - Enjoy a group tour of Hobbiton Movie Set before a drink in the Green Dragon. You will then enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at the Party Marquee and time for shopping.
(Tour around the set at Hobbiton is 2 hours before time in the Green Dragon & lunch).
-
The Green Dragon Inn - Enjoy a complementary cider, ale or ginger beer in the Green Dragon Inn, an iconic location on the Hobbiton Movie set!
Be sure to check out the guest book for some familiar names - Waitomo Glowworm Caves - Discover the Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour. Take the world-renowned boat ride through the glow worm grotto, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms and become part of over 130 years of cultural and natural history.
*please note - attraction does include some steps
What's Included
- Inner City Auckland Hotel Pickup + Drop-Off
- Admission to Hobbiton Movie Set & tour
- Admission to Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Buffet Lunch in Green Dragon Marquee
- Shopping voucher at Hobbiton Gift Shop
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Inner City Auckland Hotel Pickup + Drop-Off
- Admission to Hobbiton Movie Set & tour
- Admission to Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Buffet Lunch in Green Dragon Marquee
- Shopping voucher at Hobbiton Gift Shop
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Experience two North Island icons on a day tour from Auckland.
Travel south from Auckland to Hobbiton. On arrival at Shire’s Rest you embark on your Hobbiton Movie Set tour. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the Party Tree. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the gate to Bilbo’s house, “Bag End”. Finish with a…
Experience two North Island icons on a day tour from Auckland.
Travel south from Auckland to Hobbiton. On arrival at Shire’s Rest you embark on your Hobbiton Movie Set tour. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the Party Tree. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the gate to Bilbo’s house, “Bag End”. Finish with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn for a drink.
Following your drink, you will be treated to a sumptuous buffet lunch in the marquee & some time to shop before continuing on to Waitomo.
On arrival in Waitomo, join a 45 minute guided tour of the incredible Waitomo Glow Worm caves. Enjoy the delicate cave formations and be wowed in the Cathedral, before taking the iconic boat rode through the glow worm grotto (subject to water levels). Marvel in silence at thousands of magical glow worms.
Return to Auckland in the early evening.
tours at both Hobbiton and Waitomo join larger groups
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes and suitable outdoor clothing
- Pick up and drop off from inner city Auckland accommodation included
- Please reconfirm your pick up time 24 hours before the tours departure
- Please note the tours at Hobbiton and Waitomo are walks - including stairs
- Tour available for ages 5+ - not suitable for infants
- Not recommended for travellers with walking difficulties
Location
SkyCity Auckland
Federal Street
If you have not confirmed an inner city hotel pick up time with us then our central meeting point is SkyCity Hotel entrance. Pick up from here is at 6.40am - If you are meeting here this will need to be confirmed with us. Please call to confirm the night prior - 0800 423 224
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(197 Ratings)
5 stars
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Dineshso2643oh
May 7, 2025
Great times! - I took this tour to Hobbiton and the caves. I learned more from the continuing education provided for 4 hours (as we drove through this gorgeous country) as our tour guide spoke eloquently through out on various topics. Damian, our tour guide, was better than a book; very articulate, and extremely friendly (from ice creams to colognes) and made getting to places so much fun. I recommend Damian and this company to all explorers, especially if you want to know more about everything and cabins in the bushes of Aotearoa.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lami_t
Apr 28, 2025
Amazing experience - The trip was so lovely. The guide is so lovely. He shared so much knowledge about all auckland. He is very enthusiastic about his job. I dont think the cave was worth maybe because i have seen many more beautiful caves before. But habbiton is amazing specifically if u watches and like the movie
Review provided by Viator
Amanda_k
Apr 26, 2025
Hobbiton/Waitamo Caves - We did the Hobbiton and Waitamo Caves small group tour out of Auckland and had the best time! We will definitely use Bush & Beach the next time we're on the North Island.
Review provided by Viator
Megan
Apr 9, 2025
Great visit to Hobbiton and WAITOMO caves - I loved the visit to Hobbiton. I read The Hobbit and watched then Lord
Of the rings movies many years ago and it was awesome to come to the site where they were filmed. The lunch was also great quality. I also enjoyed the WAITOMO caves. The glow worms lit up the caves beautifully.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Northstar06308395954
Apr 2, 2025
Absolutely fantastic - I had a fantastic experience, the Bush and Beach team had great communication, kept me up to date with any changes ahead of my trip and our driver/guide, Damien, was great during the tour. He was welcoming to everyone and a wealth of local knowledge. The bus was also clean and comfortable.
The tours of Hobbiton and Waitomo glowworm cave were both very cool, checked a couple items off my bucket list. I’m just sad I don’t have the time to do another tour to see what else they specialize in. I’d absolutely recommend this tour company to others.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steve_s
Mar 25, 2025
Ask for Milton to be your driver!! - Milton was excellent. Had a lot of knowledge he shared on the bus ride. Very considerate of all passengers. Made sure he knew everyone’s name
Review provided by Viator
Emupuk
Mar 21, 2025
Unforgettable tour with Damian - I did this tour at the end of my 4 week trip to New Zealand and was absolutely thrilled.
Our driver and guide Damian made this day unforgettable. He told us a lot of interesting things about the two goals of the tour (hobbiton & firefly cave), so we got a good background knowledge. And in addition, he informed us about the country and people during the trip in an exciting and entertaining way. He even stopped especially for us again so we could taste the “hokey pokey” ice cream known for New Zealand.
Thank you to Bush and Beach for this lovely day - and thank you to Damian for your kind and enthusiastic nature.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I533wcjohng
Mar 19, 2025
Great day tour from Auckland - Excellent day with brilliant driver and guide Damian. Throughly recommend the tour - local knowledgeable guide added bonus. Small group 13 in a very comfortable bus. Damian went beyond to ensure each guest needs were met.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gailw114
Mar 19, 2025
Best. Day. Ever!! Hobitton and Glow Worm caves with Bush and Beach Tours - Best. Day. Ever!! My husband and I are retired and spent nearly 3 weeks in New Zealand taking many tours. This one was the best!
Our tour guide, Damian, was one of the best we have ever had, and we travel a lot! He took us in a very comfortable, late model, very clean van out to Hobitton in the morning. It did not disappoint in any way!
Had a very good lunch at Hobitton and then drove to the glow worm caves. Then back to Auckland. Even a bit of rain did not put a damper on it at all - as a matter of fact it made the Misty Mountains even more beautiful and magical, so don’t let a bit of rain deter you!
The glow worm caves are incredible!! Thousands of glow worms light up the underground caves which are seen on foot and by boat. It is not strenuous at all! There are walkways and easy stairs, and the boat is easy to get on and out of. Assistance is there if needed.
The areas of New Zealand’s North Island we saw today pack a lot of punch in natural beauty and should not be missed. Damian gave us so much interesting and good info about so many things related to our trip today - it was wonderful!! He speaks very clearly and at a pace that makes him easily understood.
I would highly recommend this tour to any one of any age!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Benjamin_e
Mar 26, 2025
Be prepared for a lot of... - Be prepared for a lot of drive time on this tour! While it was enjoyable to see more of the country outside of Auckland, it was definitely a long day.
While not a die-hard LOTR fan, I did really enjoy the Hobbiton tour. Amazing what the set designers created and have been able to maintain! The tour company did a great job of gettting us on an earlier tour so that there weren't too many people walking around in front of us and the (quite delicious!) buffet lunch was not crowded yet when we arrived. But that earlier tour means a very early departure from AKL.
The Waitamo Caves were interesting but a little underwhelming. Be aware that they don't allow photography or videography so you'll need to keep all the memories in your head!
Our driver, Wayne, was a character and full of interesting facts from the region and Dad Jokes. He kept us moving, gave us bathroom/coffee breaks on the way down and back and explained everything really well. It was much appreciated!
Review provided by Viator
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