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 from 1 December 2023 will be the 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
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
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
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. Complimentary specially brewed beverages are available at the Green Dragon Inn as you complete your tour Afterwards, enjoy a very “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
Reviews
2,259 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing trip to Hobbiton and Waitomo Cave!
David M,
Jun 19, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our trip to Hobbiton and Waitomo Cave exceeded our expectations! Our guide Mike was awesome! He was very knowledgeable about the area and took great care of everyone. Would definitely recommend this trip!
Fantastic day of exploring!
Janice M,
Jun 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had an amazing day of touring Hobbiton and Waitomo cave with our tour guide Tim. He was knowledgeable and gracious, with lots of great pearls of info about our destinations. It was really nice to get driven around the countryside, as we were intimidated about driving on the opposite side of the road from our norm. Great way to pack a lot into a single day if you’re short on time in Auckland.
Fantastic trip for family!
Mary Y,
Jun 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had such a fun time with Mike as our guide visiting Hobbitown and Waitomo. He really made the day fantastic. The drive is a quick 2-2.5hrs from Auckland through lovely New Zealand dairy, beef, and sheep farmland (think verdant green rolling hills as far as the eye can see). Mike keeps this drive entertaining and is well informed about the sights we are passing. Hobbitown, Lunch and Glow worm Caves are amazing and well worth the effort to get there! My 2 teens also had a blast!! (& they are NOT die hard LOR fans.. they liked the movies but that’s it). The tour is a small group- 14-16 total - which really sets this company apart from the rest,
Absolutely Must Do
Don S,
Jun 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00Really the quintessential activity for a first time visitor. Lord of the Rings is one of the most successful movie trilogies (well actually 6 movies) of all time and the opportunity to visit the Shire and hear the history behind Hobbiton is absolutely fascinating. But the really special and in my opinion the better part of this tour is the Waitomo Caves with the glow worms. The caves are so very impressive but the otherworldly serene beauty of the glow worms must be experienced first hand. I've never said this before about anything but I was memorized by them.
This tour was great! Tim...
Noelle L,
Jun 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00This tour was great! Tim was our guide and he was fantastic. He was knowledgeable, fun, respectful, and a great driver.
Related Experiences
Operated by Auckland Scenic Tours