Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch
Overview
Available languages
11 hours
Mobile ticket
Join this tour to visit two of New Zealand’s most famous attractions, Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves, in one easy day trip from Auckland. Our tour is the new extended Hobbiton Experience (now 2.5 hours) where you can venture beyond the door to a fully themed Hobbit Hole interior. Immerse yourself in the interior with entry hall, bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, dining area, equipped bathroom, parlour and crackling fireplace. Be fascinated as the magical world of Hobbiton comes to life and take photos in front of your favourite places like the Hobbit Holes, the Shire and the Green Dragon Inn. Then journey to the World Famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves and be captivated by the thousands of magical glowworms twinkling in the Grottos, the stalactites and stalagmites as you glide silently through the cave by boat. Marvel at the stunning scenery en route as we journey off the motorways into the real hinterland of New Zealand. All admission fees and cafe lunch included.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
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
What To Expect
Auckland Central
After leaving Auckland you will travel south over the Bombay Hills as you get elevated panoramic views of the Waikato Region and travel across the scenic Hauraki Plains to Matamata, the home of Hobbiton Movie Set.
Hobbiton Movie Set
Begin with a tour through the picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across the Kaimai Ranges. Your guide will escort you through the 10 acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton Movie Set was created. Hobbit Holes, The Green Dragon Inn, The Mill and other structures can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into the Shire from Middle-earth. Visit and explore inside the newly built fully themed Hobbit Hole on Bagshot Row. Complimentary specially brewed beverages are available at the Green Dragon Inn as you complete your tour. Afterwards, enjoy a very classic light “Kiwi” style lunch at the "Homestead" and get to share stories from Hobbiton and interact with your fellow travellers.
Options
Hobbiton New Experience
Venture Beyond the Hobbit Door: Experience a fully themed Hobbit Hole Interior Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes: Enjoy an extended Hobbiton Movie Set experience with our increased tour length time to a 2.5 hour tour. Complimentary Drink: Included in our tour will be a complimentary ale, stout, apple cider or non-alcoholic ginger beer. Start Time: The start time of the tour with everyone picked up across the CBD is at 6:30am. The pickups occur in the preceding 25 minutes Pickup included
Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Day Trip from Auckland
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Classic Light Kiwi café-style lunch
Hotel pickup/ drop-off from Downtown Auckland City ONLY. Closest other options if staying in suburbs
Complimentary Drink at the Green Dragon
Local taxes
Admission ticket: Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Local driver/guide
Food and drinks, unless specified
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2,990 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great day out. Tour...
Ron B,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great day out. Tour guides were friendly and infomative. Hobbiton and the caves well worth visiting.
Every stop is well...
C F,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Every stop is well planned and leads to the next adventure. Hobbiton simply is a magical place to visit
Amazing service, super cool places!
8anamar aq,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide was incredibly nice, the van was comfortable, the ride was a little bit long but totally worth it! The experience in both sites is just incredible.
Very fun tour
Roelyn C,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Booking the tour was so easy and the instructions was precise. The tour was fun and the driver and tour guide Mike was fun and friendly.
Do yourself a favour and go !
Fab5Melb,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day out to Hobbiton and Waitomo caves with Matt our guide. We learnt so much about NZ too !
We enjoyed Hobbiton early in the day, and that made the cool cave another joy on this trip. Well done.
Kathleen M,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00It was a great tour. Highly recommend.
Very organized, efficient, and entertaining
Patricia D,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00With a limited stay in Auckland, this two experiences bundle was well worth it. Our driver/guide/host, Nelson, was excellent! The variety and quality of food available at our various stops was a pleasant surprise.
Going on an Adventure!
Javier B,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a blast as we set forth on our very own adventure! This was designed for both those who have some familiarity with LOTR and for the diehard fans! Also, the glow worm cave has to be seen to be believed!
Excursion to Hobbiton + Waitomo Caves
187alejandrab,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I loved it; keep in mind that it lasts about 12 hours. I recommend watching all three movies of The Lord of the Rings, wearing good footwear and warm clothing. In the caves, you cannot take photos or film; I bought the photos they sell. And to change things up, I bought a ton of things at the Hobbiton set shop, which by the way, the prices are affordable. Note that the excursion is in English, but you can download the Hobbiton app and read all the explanations in Spanish.
Best tour guide- Liam!!
Max B,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Liam was an amazing and knowledgeable tour guide who was very personable and fun! Not only did he give us a mini tour and history lesson of the city but he made an excel sheet that was color coded by district of the city with his favorite near by restaurants and experiences! Any questions we had he answered and his conversation was very easy going and he was able to get everyone on our trip talking and connected with each other even though we were from all over the world. Thank you Liam!
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Operated by Auckland Scenic Tours