Day trip

From Auckland: Hobbiton, Rotorua & Waitomo Caves Day Trip

4.7 / 5

59 reviews

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    Day trip

    From Auckland: Hobbiton, Rotorua & Waitomo Caves Day Trip

    4.7

    59 reviews

    From US$ 313.11 per person

    Discover the best of the North Island on a small-group day trip from Auckland to Hobbiton, Te Puia Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, and Waitomo Caves. Explore Middle-earth, marvel at glowworms and enjoy a delicious lunch at Te Puia in Rotorua.

    About this activity

    Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
    Covid-19 precautions
    Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
    Mobile ticketing
    Use your phone or print your voucher
    Duration 13 hours
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Instant confirmation
    Live tour guide
    English
    Pickup included
    Pick-up and drop off is available from central Auckland hotels. Provide your accommodation details when booking and the local operator will advise your pick-up details with confirmation. Please note that your pick-up time may be earlier than the tour start time.
    Small group
    Limited to 15 participants

    Experience

    Itinerary
    13 hours

    • Auckland

    • Hobbiton Movie Set (free time)

    • Hobbiton Movie Set (guided tour, walk)

    • Te Puia (lunch)

    • Te Puia (walk)

    • Waitomo Glowworm Caves (guided tour, walk)

    • Auckland

    Pickup included
    Main stop
    Other stop
    Highlights
    • Experience 3 top North Island destinations in one day on an all encompassing tour
    • Discover the magic of Middle-earth on an official 2-hour guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set
    • Visit Te Puia Maori Arts & Crafts Institute to see geothermal geysers, the iconic kiwi bird, and enjoy a delicious lunch
    • Marvel at Waitomo Caves as you ride underneath glittering glowworms on the included boat ride
    • Benefit from local guides and the personalised service of a small group tour
    • Enjoy an unforgettable tour follows a route that minimizes travel time to maximize discovery
    Full description
    Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, Te Puia Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, and Waitomo Caves in one day on a fully-guided tour from Auckland. See three of North Island’s iconic sites in one attraction-filled day. Be ready and waiting at your hotel in time for your specified pickup time. Travel from Auckland to Hobbiton through Waikato. On arrival, you’ll be guided through the picturesque twelve-acre site and given fascinating details of how the movie set was created. The official tour concludes with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Climb back into the vehicle for the approximately 55-minute drive to Rotorua where you will spend around 1.5-hours.  Arrive at Te Puia Maori Arts & Crafts Institute where you’ll have lunch. Te Puia is home to the Pohutu geyser, mud pools, hot springs, silica formations, the Kiwi bird, and the national schools of wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving. Then, drive to the world-renowned Waitomo Caves where you’ll enter the caves on foot and ride out in a small boat. Marvel at thousands of tiny glowworms radiating their unmistakable luminescent light as an expert guide provides informative commentary. Sample itinerary: 6:30-6:40 AM pickups from downtown Auckland hotels 9:00 AM Arrive Hobbiton Movie Set (time for a snack and visit souvenir shop) 9:30 AM Hobbiton Movie Set tour 11:15 AM Depart Green Dragon Inn to travel onto Rotorua 12:15 PM Arrive in Rotorua 12:30 PM Buffet-style lunch at Te Puia After lunch you have until 1:45 pm to explore Te Puia 1:45 PM Rejoin bus to travel to Watiomo Caves 3:15-4:00 PM Waitomo Caves tour Rejoin bus to travel to Auckland 7:15-8:00 PM Arrive Auckland (subject to traffic)
    Includes
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Auckland
    • Transportation in a small air-conditioned coach
    • Experienced driver/guide
    • Entry and 2-hour guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set
    • Entry and lunch at Te Puia in Rotorua, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
    • Entry and 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves
    • Morning and afternoon tea (available to purchase)
    Not suitable for
    • Children under 2 years
    Covid-19 precautions
    Safety measures in place
    • All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
    • You must keep social distance while in vehicles

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Prepare for the activity

    Important information

    What to bring

    • Comfortable shoes
    • Weather-appropriate clothing

    Not allowed

    • Smoking in the vehicle
    • Food in the vehicle

    Know before you go

    • Note that there is some driving between attractions so this tour may not be suitable for children 2 years or under
    • The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour requires reasonable mobility, please advise when booking you have any mobility issues
    • The tour invovles a reasonable amount of walking on uneven ground
    • New Zealand weather can be very changeable throughout the day, so go prepared
    • Shuttle pickups from outside Auckland city center can be arranged on request for an additional charge
    • If you prefer more time in Rotorua, you might like to consider an overnight tour option
    • Please note you must be ready and waiting at your specified pick-up time as the tour has set times at each of the attractions visited and unfortunately cannot wait
    • Guaranteed departure - tours are not canceled if there are low numbers
    • Morning or afternoon tea can be purchased on the day at your own expense
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.7 /5

    based on 59 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.9/5
    • Transportation
      4.8/5
    • Value for money
      4.5/5
    • Safety
      4.7/5

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    We had a wonderful time! FlexiTours was highly organized and super punctual. All 3 sites were amazing and and the lunch buffet was excellent quality. Although, it was a long day, we really enjoyed chatting with our driver/tour guide (Mr. Kelly). He was very professional, personable, and highly knowledgable. He definitely gets a 5*!!!

    January 3, 2020

    A
    Anonymous – United States Verified GetYourGuide customer

    Helpful?

    This is a long day from Auckland. Keep that in mind - since multiple stops require timed reservations, you’re going to be limited at Rotorua. That being said, it’s a pretty fun day to go out and see all the places and hit them all in a day. Our tour guide was very friendly and chatted about New Zealand, it’s history and also gave us details about where we were going. The van itself had AC, comfortable seats that recliner, and was clean. They showed up when they said they’d get us, and dropped us off around when they said we’d be done. I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone - but just keep in mind hitting all three in day means you’ve got to stick to tight schedule.

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    January 3, 2020

    E
    Eric – United States Verified GetYourGuide customer

    Helpful?

    A nice way to see 3 famous places in NZ in one day!

    If you don't have a lot of time left and you're in hurry, go for this trip and you shouldn't be disappointed! Right, everything was kinda rushed and I just wish there was more time in Rotorua but c'mon, there's no other way to see these all places in barely one day! The guide made sure everyone is safe and sound and on time.

    September 26, 2019

    Nella – Poland Verified GetYourGuide customer

    Helpful?

    Organized by
    FlexiToursNZ

    Product ID: 165755