Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves day tour from Auckland | New Zealand
- Guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, showcasing stunning limestone formations
- Sumptuous buffet lunch at the Party Marquee and a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn
- Magical boat ride through the glowworm grotto, where thousands of glowworms light up the cave
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Firefly watching |
| Transport | Walking, Bus tour |
Product Info
— What You Can Expect —
Experience two of New Zealand’s most iconic attractions on this small group day tour to the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves. This adventure blends the magic of Middle-earth with the natural wonder of glowworm-lit caves, offering a perfect mix of cinematic history and breathtaking nature.
Your day begins with pick-up from your Auckland City accommodation, followed by a scenic drive with full commentary from your experienced guide. The first stop is a cozy café, where you can grab a quick snack or coffee before heading to Hobbiton. Once there, a specialist guide will lead you on a walking tour through the 44 Hobbit Holes, where you’ll see the Party Tree and stand at Bilbo Baggins’ house, Bag End, overlooking the picturesque Shire.
A highlight of the tour is the chance to explore inside a Hobbit Hole, where you can try out a hobbit-sized bed, sit at the dining table, and admire the incredible attention to detail. Before indulging in a sumptuous buffet lunch at the Party Marquee, enjoy a complimentary ale, cider, or ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn.
After lunch, the tour continues through beautiful countryside to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. An expert guide will lead you through limestone formations and share fascinating facts about the caves’ history. The tour concludes with an unforgettable boat ride through the glowworm grotto, where thousands of glowworms illuminate the cave ceiling, creating a magical, starry spectacle.
You will then be moved to Party Marquee and be treated to a buffet lunch
Immerse yourself in the stunning limestone formations of the glowworm cave with a guided boat tour
Experience Hobbiton movie set at dusk with a guided evening tour through the shire
Visit up to 44 charming Hobbiton holes, including the iconic party Tree, Bilbo’s iconic home and Bag End
Purchase Notice
- As pickup time and location varies depends on the group size, please ensure to reconfirm your pick up time and location 24 hours prior to the tour departure time with phone number provided on the voucher
- Food and drinks at the morning and afternoon stops are at own cost
- There are staircases inside Waitomo Caves with approximately 75 stairs
- * Kindly note that to provide guests with the best experience of the movie scenes, maintenance may take place throughout the year. Please refer to the official website for the latest updates
Reminders
Please arrive at the designated location 15 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
The itinerary is provided for reference only and is subject to change base on tour day situation
Travellers are responsible for their own luggage. The bus or tour operator has no responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage to luggage
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 3 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–2 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
Yes, it is feasible to visit both the Hobbiton Movie Set and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves in a single day, especially when starting from Auckland. Many guided day tours are specifically designed for this purpose, offering round-trip transportation, expert commentary, and a well-planned itinerary to ensure a comprehensive experience at both attractions without feeling rushed. These tours often include key highlights like the Hobbit Hole experience, a meal, and the glowworm boat ride.
The Hobbiton Movie Set offers a magical journey into the Shire from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour exploring hobbit holes, the Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn, seeing the landscapes brought to life. A highlight includes stepping inside a hobbit hole for a unique photo opportunity and enjoying a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn, fully immersing guests in Middle-earth. A sumptuous buffet lunch at the Party Marquee is also often part of the experience.
A tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves typically includes a guided walk through stunning limestone formations, showcasing stalactites and stalagmites within the ancient cave system. The highlight is a magical boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto, where thousands of tiny glowworms illuminate the cave ceiling, creating a breathtaking starry effect. Knowledgeable guides provide commentary on the history, geology, and biology of the caves and the glowworms.
A standard guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, including both the walking portion and the boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto, typically lasts around 45 minutes to 1 hour. This duration allows sufficient time to appreciate the limestone formations, learn about the cave's ecosystem from the guide, and fully experience the mesmerizing glowworm display from the boat. Some multi-cave tours might extend the overall visit for other cave experiences.
A standard Hobbiton Movie Set tour ticket generally includes a fully guided tour of the movie set, which covers hobbit holes, gardens, and other iconic structures. The experience culminates with a complimentary specially brewed beverage at the Green Dragon Inn. For many day tours from cities like Auckland, round-trip transportation and sometimes a buffet lunch at the Party Marquee are also part of the comprehensive package, enhancing the overall visit.
Yes, the Hobbiton Movie Set is very much an active and popular visitor attraction in New Zealand. It continues to welcome thousands of visitors annually from around the world. The set has been meticulously preserved and maintained since the filming of The Hobbit trilogy, allowing fans and travelers alike to step directly into the world of Middle-earth as depicted in the beloved films. Guided tours operate daily, showcasing the iconic hobbit holes and landscapes.
The Hobbiton Movie Set is located on a working sheep farm near the town of Matamata in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. Specifically, its address is 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, Matamata 3472, New Zealand. While not in a major city, it is a key destination easily accessible via organized tours, often departing from major hubs like Auckland or Rotorua.
The Waitomo Caves are renowned for their spectacular natural beauty and unique ecological phenomena. Their special allure comes from the extensive limestone cave system adorned with intricate stalactite and stalagmite formations, sculpted over millions of years. However, the most extraordinary feature is the Glowworm Grotto, where thousands of Arachnocampa luminosa glowworms create a magical, starry sky effect, making it an unparalleled natural light show unique to New Zealand.
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