Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Caves Day Tour Departure From Auckland | New Zealand
Enjoy the day trip through Middle-earth with a visit to the Waitomo Caves to witness the enchanting glow worms at night, followed by the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings!
- Visit the famous Hobbit Holes and The Millhouse from the world of the Lord of the Rings
- Discover tidbits of trivia and recreate scenes from the movies as you tour the set
- Be captivated by the sight of the marvelous glowworms in Waitomo Caves
- Sit back and relax on the convenient transfer service, and get dropped off in Auckland CBD
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Tour types | Guided tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
— What You Can Expect —
A day may come when you won't enjoy a tour of The Lord of The Rings movie set, but it is not this day! A trip to New Zealand won't be complete without a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set.
See the magical Waitomo Caves and the Hobbiton Movie Set on a full-day sightseeing tour from Auckland. Step on board your luxury GreatSights coach tour and travel south, taking in typical New Zealand scenery as you ride – lush green farmland and rolling hills. Your driver will provide and entertaining and informative commentary throughout the day.
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a network of underground tunnels and caves made from incredible limestone formations. Set off on a 45-minute guided tour of the caves, ending with a truly special boat trip through the Glowworm Grotto, where glowworms twinkle and shine overhead as you sail through a dark and silent cavern. Plus, you’ll enjoy a free picnic lunch while you travel to your next destination.
Your next stop is at The Hobbiton Movie Set, which has become one of New Zealand’s must-see destinations. A working farm near the small town of Matamata was transformed into a film set for the world-famous Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, and today you can visit the set and see where the magic was created.
During your guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set you’ll see highlights like the original Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Party Tree and more. Your tour guide will share amazing behind-the-scenes stories and fascinating facts about how the film set was brought to life.
After exploring these two top New Zealand visitor attractions, your driver guide will take you back to Auckland or to Rotorua in the evening.
Feast your eyes on the breathtaking sights of New Zealand on this adventurous day tour!
Step into the medieval fantasy world of The Lord of The Rings
Immerse yourself into some of the most iconic settings in the movie
Discover the Waitomo Caves and the captivating glowworms inside
Learn more about the natural formations on the cave walls and ceilings
Enjoy a comfortable and scenic coach ride with informative commentary. The bus will pick you up in Auckland City, and you can choose to be dropped off either in Auckland or go directly to Rotorua
Purchase Notice
- 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
- Children aged 4 or under are free of charge and do not occupy a seat
- Children aged 14 or under must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over
- Please note that the pick-up time on this page is for reference only, the exact pick-up time will be confirmed on the voucher
- Baby pushchairs should be collapsible to fit within the checked luggage size limit
- Please note that Waitomo Caves is not wheelchair-accessible. This tour is not recommended for guests with reduced mobility
- Free WiFi on board coaches, but no refunds if the Wi Fi service is unavailable
- Please note that an ongoing development project at the Hobbiton Movie Set until December 2023. For detailed information on how this construction may affect your experience, kindly visit the official Hobbiton website
- Please click here for more T&C
Reminders
Please arrive at the designated location 15 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Please arrive promptly at the meeting point, as the bus will depart on time. Refunds will not be granted to late arrivals
In the event that the driver has not arrived at the designated meeting time, please contact the emergency number provided on the voucher
Guests are advised to wear warm clothing (i.e. hat, gloves, waterproof jacket, and pants) and comfortable walking shoes
Travellers can bring up to 2 checked-in luggage, each weighing a maximum of 25kg, with total dimensions not exceeding 158cm
Travellers are responsible for their own luggage. The bus or tour operator has no responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage to luggage
If the Waitomo Caves tour cannot operate, a free upgrade to the Ruakuri Cave will be provided subject to availability. If the Ruakuri upgrade is provided, the Waitomo Caves portion is non refundable
It is recommended to call the tour operator at the phone number provided on the voucher 24 hours before departure to reconfirm the departure location and time
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
The Hobbiton Movie Set is located in Matamata, on New Zealand's North Island, approximately a 2-hour and 30-minute drive southeast of Auckland. For visitors departing from Auckland without a private vehicle, the most convenient way to reach the set is by joining an organized day tour. These tours typically include comfortable round-trip transportation, ensuring a seamless journey and allowing guests to enjoy the scenery without navigating logistics.
Visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set offers a unique immersion into the enchanting world of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Travelers can explore the meticulously preserved 12-acre set, including iconic Hobbit Holes and The Millhouse. The guided tour provides fascinating trivia about the filming process and opportunities to recreate memorable scenes, offering a magical experience for fans and a charming visit for all.
A standard tour at the Hobbiton Movie Set typically includes a guided walk through the set, where visitors can see the Hobbit Holes, the Party Tree, and the Green Dragon Inn. The tour provides insights into how the set was created and maintained for the films, sharing stories and behind-the-scenes facts. Comprehensive tour packages from cities like Auckland often include convenient return transfers to and from the set.
During the Hobbiton Movie Set tour, visitors can admire the exteriors of the Hobbit Holes and take photos. Most of the Hobbit Holes were constructed as facades for the films, so guests cannot typically go inside them. However, one specific Hobbit Hole usually allows a brief peek into a basic interior setup, giving a glimpse of what lies within these iconic dwellings, focusing on the external charm and scale of the Shire.
For travelers without a private car, the most practical way to reach the Waitomo Caves is by joining an organized day tour departing from major cities like Auckland. These tours provide comfortable, convenient round-trip transfer services, handling all travel logistics. This option eliminates the need to navigate public transport routes, which can be limited, or arrange multiple transfers to reach the caves, offering a hassle-free experience.
Yes, it is entirely feasible to visit both the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves as a day trip departing from Auckland. Many organized tours are specifically designed for this purpose, offering efficient transportation between the two iconic locations. These tours manage the travel time and schedules effectively, allowing visitors to experience the magic of Middle-earth and the wonder of the glowworms within a single, well-planned day.
Organized transport for a day trip from Auckland to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves is highly convenient. These services typically offer comfortable coaches and handle all driving, often including pick-up and drop-off in the Auckland CBD. This allows travelers to relax and enjoy the scenic journey without concerns about navigation, parking, or travel logistics, making it a stress-free and enjoyable way to visit the caves.
The guided tour experience within the Waitomo Glowworm Caves typically lasts approximately 45 minutes. This duration includes walking through the impressive cave system, where visitors can admire stunning limestone formations and learn about their history, culminating in a silent boat ride through the famous Glowworm Grotto. This allows ample time to witness the captivating glowworms and appreciate the natural beauty of the caves.
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