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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
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
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
2,872 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A fun day
Peter D,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A lot of fun. We had a great guide, Shelly. The glow worms were more interesting than I anticipated they would be.
Nice experience! Our...
Anonymous M,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Nice experience! Our guide Mike is very friendly and gave us a perfect guide day. Love the Hobbiton experience
Unforgettable day
Corey T,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Visiting Hobbiton was a bucket list thing in NZ, and wow did this tour surpass my already high expectations! I was picked up right on time by Mike and we were off. Mike was not only our driver but he was filled with great information and hilarious. We got so lucky having him - he told us exactly what was going to happen, when it was going to happen, things to do and see, fun facts about literally everything -- what a great guy! The Hobbiton movie set was unbelievable. It was perfect and exactly what I had hoped for. You even get to go inside a hobbit hole which I was not expecting and was completely awesome! We had a great guide for the tour (hobbiton has their own guides) who was very helpful and willing to take pictures and answer questions. If you are even the slightest bit on the fence about going to Hobbiton, do it. And the Waitomo Caves! Honestly this was just a bonus and turned in to a really cool experience. The Glowworm cave really feels like looking at the night sky, but in a cave. We had a great guide there as well and it was well worth the adventure. Super cool. Absolutely great day with Mike visiting Hobbiton and Waitomo. Wholeheartedly recommend.
Worth every penny!
Gabby P,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour exceeded our wildest dreams! Danny was an excellent guide. Hobbiton is truly magical and the glow worms were otherworldly
Highly Recommend
Lisa S,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour is a full day, including lunch, a couple of stops, the caves and, of course, Hobbiton. It was a great way to get out of Auckland and see some of the New Zealand countryside. Our guide (Shelly) had tons of tour experience and gave us lots of interesting information about NZ agriculture, history, culture and economy. I would do this tour again and I would highly recommend it.
More than I expected!
Irvin L,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a wonderful experience, it was more than I expected. Our tour guide Shelley was excellent, she made us feel comfortable despite the rain, she was friendly, organized and got us back to the city on time. I would recommend this experience to anyone traveling solo, you will see a lot at Hobbiton and the glow worms definitely will glow, 10/10!
Would recommend
yarri g,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00An amazing experience. Our tour guide Nelson was friendly and very knowledgeable. Both tours were fantastic.
Outstanding attraction
guy c,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Long drive but great interesting guide Shelley. Foggy in the morning like in the movies but clearing to a unique hobbit village. Now you have the interior of a Hobbit hole to visit and it is so impressive. Waitomo caves ok and interesting to see as part of the tour if you never saw caves before. Memorable tour !
It was a long day but our...
Dana J,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a long day but our driver, Danny, made the ride go by fast with all the stories he shared along the way. Both the Hobbiton Movie Set tour and Waitomo Glow Worm caves were both great locations to visit. Definitely a must do while visiting Auckland!
Hobbiton & Waitomo caves
Annette I,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00As a LOTR fan this did not disappoint....absolutely loved Hobbiton xxx Tracey got the dress ups for photos spot on.... The glow-worms was a wonderful experience it's great leaving your phone and immersing yourself in moment
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Operated by Auckland Scenic Tours