4-Day Hobbiton, Waitomo and Bay of Islands Tour from Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

Soak up some major must-do North Island highlights on this 4-day tour. With an arrival transfer from Auckland Airport and 3-nights accommodation in Auckland included, you are sure to be comfortable and worry free. Tick off all the North Island highlights with visits to Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves, Paihia in the Bay of Islands, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and more!

Day One
Meet and Greet at Auckland International Airport and transfer to your Auckland central city hotel, the remainder of your day and evening at leisure.  

Day Two
Depart Auckland and begin your action packed day at the famous ‘Hobbiton’. On arrival at Shire’s Rest you embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest “green set” in the world and a beautiful natural setting. You’ll see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge, the party tree, Bilbo’s house “Bag End” and the Green Dragon Inn. Be treated to a delicious Hobbiton-style themed buffet lunch, fit for a hobbit, at the Shire Party Marquee.

Next, visit Ruakuri Glowworm Caves, a stunning limestone cave formation. Journey down through the spectacular spiral entrance, and marvel at the softly folding shawl-like limestone formations and crystal tapestries. Hear the distant thunder of the subterranean waterfalls and get up close to the glowworms. Ruakuri Cave is New Zealand’s longest guided underground walking tour.

Arrive back to Auckland early evening.

Day Three
One of New Zealand’s top destinations, the Bay of Islands, is located north of Auckland. Bay of Islands a subtropical aquatic wonderland made up of 144 islands and also home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Depart Auckland by road and see the small rural townships and rolling countryside as you make your way to Paihia.

Enjoy a guided tour through part of the 506 hectare Waitangi National Trust Estate which was gifted to the nation in 1932. The site of the historic treaty that was signed in 1840 between the Maori and European people that shaped the nation. View a magnificent Maori Meeting house and a large war canoe the largest war canoe in the world. After a short ferry ride you will be transported from the vibrant seaside resort of Paihia to the historical town-ship of Russell, once the hub of European settlement and now a big-game fishing base. Originally the first capital of New Zealand and a busy whaling community, Russell is a popular destination where visitors can enjoy a local sightseeing tour and hear the interesting stories of it’s past.

Return to Paihia by ferry with time to explore the busier side of the bay with its shops and arcades. You may even see a big game fish being weighed in at the wharf, before rejoining your coach for the return journey to Auckland in the early evening.  

Day Four
Morning at leisure. Tour concludes at hotel upon check out.