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
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. 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.
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
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
2,598 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Hobbiton and Waitomo cave tour
38charlinea,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mike is our tour guide very attentive and knowledgeable.He really make sure that we have good time we the tour..The bus is very clean,
Shelley rocks!
Cori M,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Shelley not only gave us good information but did it in a fun way. It felt more like family traveling together than strangers getting together for just the day! And if course Hobbiton was the highlight for us. How cool to feel like you were part of the story. It was a wonderful day!
A must do for your time in New Zealand
555dawnp,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a must do tour!!! Nelson, our tour guide was informative, friendly and he even stopped at some local businesses to break the trip up, a bit. We enjoyed a bakery and spectacular viewpoint along the way and ice cream and honey on the way back. He made the 2 1/2 hour drive fun. We were able to see the countryside while Nelson regaled us with the history of the area. We set out to hobbiton first which was spectacular. We totally geeked out and enjoyed the very well run venue. We then sat out to the Waitomo glowworm caves. I would say it was more meh, (6,7) 🤪This is our second excursion with Trip advisor on this trip and both times we were give start times that were about 1/2 hour late. My advice is to contact the Tour operator right away and find out exactly what time you need to meet. Or show up early and then you’ll be on time.🤪. Overall I would recommend this trip
Hobbiton and cave experience
F4743HUdawns,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Our driver, Matt, was very knowledgeable and excellent at answering our questions. The Hobbiton tour was very very good. We also enjoyed the cave experience. The lunch was delicious. Every part of the day was great. There is nothing I can think of to change it
Was picked up right on...
Sonia B,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Was picked up right on time. My driver Matt was very friendly and knowledgeable. It was a great day and also a good way to see the country side of New Zealand, would highly recommend doing this.
Highly recommend this tour!
Kim S,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time on our tour. Our guide, Matt, was friendly and knowledgeable. We appreciated letting someone else drive so we could sit back and enjoy visiting Hobbiton and the Waitomo caves. This day was a highlight of our trip! So glad we booked it!
Going On An Adventure
jacobsO2298ML,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Shelly took me to Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves for a day. Everything was great. Shelly was professional and informative! Learned a lot from her and enjoyed geeking out to a movie set of my favorite trilogy.
The Guide Martin was very...
Thomas B,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The Guide Martin was very knowledgeable about the region and was friendly he made the the whole experience great
Liam was a fantastic...
Shawn T,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Liam was a fantastic driver and guide for the day. Family friendly and overall a great way to see two of the highlights in the area.
Amazing experience, a day trip to not miss
768madeleinet,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took this tour with a friend to have the opportunity to visit Hobbiton and Waitomo caves on the same day. It's very convenient to visit these places from Auckland and avoid renting a car. Our guide was Nelson. I really appreciated his efforts to remember all passengers names and he also made us introduce ourselves to each other. It's very good to include everyone in the group! The rides were also very instructive as he knew a lot of information and anecdotes, it was really interesting. It's nice that we visit Hobbiton early, there are not so many people yet. Everything was well organised, the lunch place was good as well. We even stopped as a little plus in a honey shop where we had the possibility to taste Manuka honey! Overall, it was an amazing experience and worth it, I can only recommend it.
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Operated by Auckland Scenic Tours