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
2,775 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Off on an adventure!
jamestB9066CB,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An exceptional tour experience from beginning to end! Our van driver, Steven, was informative and friendly, the drive to Hobbiton was scenic, snd the van was comfortable and spacious. The Hobbiton tour was amazing as was the Waitomo glow worm caves. Definitely a 10/10!
It's a long day but worth...
David P,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It's a long day but worth every second. 2 very different locations but both awesome. Our guide Liam was excellent
Loved Hobbiton, the caves and our guide
Marlene P,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great excursion and guide! Both Hobbiton and the caves were magical. Liam was fantastic. Will definitely recommend this excursion!!
Great day trip!
Cynthia A,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Liam and all the other guides were fantastic. Made the experience fun and everything ran flawlessly. Hobbiton was so beautiful and fun to see and the caves, even without the glow worms, were way more interesting that we expected.
Worthwhile Tour
tanya m,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an excellent tour. A long day, but lots of rest stops along the way. Seeing Hobbiton and the glow worm caves were two big highlights for us in New Zealand. Hobbiton especially was amazing, and we were guided with ample time to see everything. Our guide Shelley explained a lot throughout the entire trip, and she kept us on schedule. The trip was very well organized. I would highly recommend.
Family tour
Anonymous,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A great experience. From beginning to end the tour was very well planned. Our driver Steven was friendly and informative. Hobbiton exceeded expectations. The movie set was like being transported back to the movie. The countryside is beautiful. Waitomo glowworm caves were also very interesting. Lunch was delicious and the day was capped off with ice cream. A great experience!
Hobbiton & glow worm caves
Janet W,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an excellent tour from start to finish . Our tour guide shelly was brilliant so friendly and full of information so interesting to listen to . Hobbiton was great our guide there was Sam and he was great even took the time to take photos of you when you ask ,would highly recommend this trip .
Great tours
Dina C,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The combination of Hobbiton with Waitomo Glow Worms was a great way to experience 2 popular tours in one day. Firstly, our driver, Matt, was excellent. He did a great job of keeping the group informed. He offered useful tips for getting the most out of our tours, as well as excellent commentary about NZ sights along the way to and from our tours. He was very personable and made everyone very comfortable asking whatever questions they had. Secondly, our Hobbiton guide, Ben, took great care of our group throughout the movie set tour, enhancing a terrific experience. The glow worms cave provided an interesting glimpse into a natural wonder. Always good to learn new things! Definitely will recommend this Viator tour to others.
Could be better!
Lourdes R,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Transportation was very tight, the van is small for 16 people. The included lunch was uninspiring. Hobbiton would be wonderful if the tour groups where smaller and paced farther apart. It was a battle to get good pictures and you were rushed because of the next tour. The caves where beautiful but the tour was very short. I understand that the cave is small but maybe some educational information before going in. All in all I was very disappointed with the experience.
Great tour even if you’re not a LOTR super fan
Kevin M,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Driver was prompt for pickup, Mercedes van was in great condition with comfortable seats and working charging ports. 2.5 hour drive was broken up with a quick pit stop. Hobbiton was wonderful, even if you’re not a super fan. The movie set and local guide were great! Lunch at Waitomo Homestead had good mince pie. The caves were great as well. Been to many caves, but this was the first with glow worms. Def worthwhile. Had a quick ice cream stop and tried the Tip Top Hokey Pocky, just $5 NZ for 2 scoops. This excursion might appear to be expensive, but it was quite reasonable considering that Hobbiton is $120 for adults and Waitomo cave is $81. Plus lunch was included. Highly recommended and one of the better excursions I’ve been on.
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Operated by Auckland Scenic Tours