Home > Auckland > Waitomo Caves and 'The Lord of the Rings' Hobbiton Movie Set Day Trip from Auckland
USD $239.00
Waitomo Caves and 'The Lord of the Rings' Hobbiton Movie Set Day Trip from Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand
See two magical places come to life on this day tour from Auckland. First explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and be entranced by the thousands of twinkling lights in the glowworm grotto. Then visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, the filming location of the village of Bilbo Bagins and his fellow hobbits in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ movie trilogy. As you explore Hobbiton, you can pose for pictures in front of the hobbit holes, the pond and the Green Dragon Inn.
Leave Auckland behind and enjoy the scenic drive through the Waikato and King Country regions of New Zealand’s North Island. Enjoy a snack on the coach and admire the rolling hills and lush farmlands, as you travel through Rangariri, where a fierce battle for land rights between British colonialists and the Maori took place. You’ll soon arrive in Waitomo, home to the renowned Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Take a guided tour through the caves and see the amazing limestone formations created over the centuries. Then board a boat for a short ride along the river to witness the magic of the glowworms. As you enter the grotto, you will see thousands of tiny lights flashing in the darkness, each one a glowworm, creating a mystical fairyland.
Next, enjoy a picnic lunch (included) before continuing on toward Rotorua, driving across the Kaimai Ranges, and making your way to Matamata, where you’ll visit the Hobbiton Movie Set! Discover how this working sheep farm was transformed into JRR Tolkien’s fictional village of Hobbiton – part of the Shire and home of Bilbo Bagins – for The Lord of the Rings movie series. Have your photo taken in front of a hobbit hole and see the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and other locations that you’ll recognize from the three movies, all of which were filmed around New Zealand
The Hobbiton town was beautiful, and from what they were saying they are working on opening up a few of the hobbit houses so you can actually go in and look around. _br/_ The caves were also very neat. The worms were much brighter than I expected and the tour was very informative.
Review by: Matthew R, January 2018
This tour was superb and as advertised. Our tour guide for the day was very informative/passionate and provided vast knowledge into the history of New Zealand, as well as other less known facts about the country when traveling between destinations. I would highly recommend this activity!
Review by: Michelle K, January 2018
Best part was glowworm caves!
Review by: Janice H, January 2018
Well worth the full day for touring. Beautiful scenery and the tour guides were top notch. Always well organized and informative. I am not a Hobbit fan but really enjoyed the tour and is a MUST see. Caves were short but so exciting! Loved it!!!! NZ is such a beautiful country so this tours really shows you how amazing it is.
Review by: Heinz Juergen E, January 2018
Excellent tour guide Forgot his name, may be Damien?. Told lots of very interesting things about New Zealand and the sights of the tour. Highly recommended. Good value for the money. With a nice lunch at Hobbiton. The glowworm cave was awesome.
Review by: Deanna N, January 2018
As a Lord of the Rings fan i was ecstatic. The Waitomo caves were breathtaking and ethereal. Absolutely stunning. The tour guide was great - very interesting stories about the land that we passed. It was raining but the landscape didn't fail to impress. Please bring appropriate rain gear if need be and of course check the weather. I believe that if i wasn't dressed in my rain boots and coat i would have been very uncomfortable.
Review by: Deanna N, January 2018
As a Lord of the Rings fan i was ecstatic. The Waitomo caves were breathtaking and ethereal. Absolutely stunning. The tour guide was great - very interesting stories about the land that we passed. It was raining but the landscape didn't fail to impress. Please bring appropriate rain gear if need be and of course check the weather. I believe that if i wasn't dressed in my rain boots and coat i would have been very uncomfortable.
Review by: Bernane S, January 2018
Damian was a great tour guide. We learned a lot about Auckland. Something we will need to research on the Internet, but with him, everything was handed down to us. Thank you!_br/_ We've seen all the Lord of the Rings movies, but coming to Hobbiton made the movies come alive in front of our eyes. Amazing!
Review by: Bernane S, January 2018
Damian was a great tour guide. We learned a lot about Auckland. Something we will need to research on the Internet, but with him, everything was handed down to us. Thank you!_br/_ We've seen all the Lord of the Rings movies, but coming to Hobbiton made the movies come alive in front of our eyes. Amazing!
Review by: Jayshri T, December 2017
Hobbiton was lovely. The sets are well maintaines and the guides were very good. We are big LOTR fans but I think even a non fan would enjoy the beautiful countryside._br/_ Waitomo caves_br/_ We loved the whole experience of being guided by Maori youngsters who were proud of their heritage and took us through the caves giving it an atmosphere it deserved. Our guide was gentle funny and well informed. The way she moved our boat was fun to watch. The caves were great!
Review by: Okiespert, December 2017
I have not read or watched The Lord of the Rings, but my husband loves the movies. I booked this tour and thoroughly enjoyed it! The town is so cute and I was able to stop and take amazing pictures throughout. We also got a beer at the Green Dragon Inn and had a surprisingly good lunch. Our tour guide also noted that about 40 of visitors have never watched/read the series -- so don't let that stop you from going. Stop at the little cafe/souvenir shop just outside of the entrance to the farm -- it's the only place you can buy LOTR things. The glow worm caves were also incredible. It was a nice way to round out the day.
Review by: Luis Arturo A, December 2017
Excellent one day trip, our tour guide was awsome and explained everything quite well, from the new zealand idiosyncrasies to the best ice cream._br/_ The waitomo caves although amazing and interesting, it's a quick stop... I would rather visit Rotorua
Review by: Dania A, December 2017
The trip was a bit long but worth it to see the once in a lifetime glow worms and caves as well as the movie set. Fabulous drinks and brunch too!
Review by: Marcello G, December 2017
Both, the movie set and the cave are amazing
Review by: Rebecca S, December 2017
We had Alexia as our tour guide for the day and she was AMAZING. Best coach driver I've ever experienced as well as very knowledgeable about the countryside and the dairy industry. She had great energy and was very kind. She made the day go by smoothly and so nice after a bumpy start. The cave you get to float through is absolutely one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my entire life. The Hobbiton set was stunning though I do wish they would go a bit slower on the tour. Enjoy the amazing buffet lunch, you'll roll out of there like a true hobbit.
Review by: Marie F, December 2017
A full-day tour starting with an early pick-up from the CBD. The coach was comfortable and Damian, the driver/guide was very informative and knowledgeable. A true Kiwi that loves his country. He made me want to move to NZ! First stop was the Hobbiton Movie Set. I'm originally from Los Angeles, so a movie set tour is a movie set tour, but if you're a fan of LOTR - c'mon, it's THE SHIRE man! It's guided tours only. Can't wander around on your own. It's a very popular attraction so each group has a scheduled time and there are moments you will feel a bit rushed. However, I felt there were still plenty of photo opps. There was a buffet lunch that came with this tour, but I felt like I only had 15 minutes to eat my lunch - again, joining a tour group, sometimes time limit is part of its downside. Next stop, the Waitomo Caves. I didn't really expect much from this part of the tour. The cave itself is okay. I'm not much into caves, but I was very curious about the glowworms and man, they were really awesome to see! I'm so glad I got to experience that. Understandably, no photos allowed in the cave. They do take a photo of you against a green screen before you enter and Photoshop the cave in the background, but it's cheesy and you probably want to skip that...unless, you really want it. :
Review by: Monica S, December 2017
Was very rushed the entire time. Someone got car sick on the bus and the driver pulled over for her then we had traffic so we only had 10 minutes in the Hobbiton souvenir shop, which we went to before the tour but not afterwards. Then I was one of the last tables to get food and right as I sat down to eat it was we gotta go!. Definitely wouldn't recommend to friends, do a tour where you can take your time, you're going to want it.
Review by: Jacqueline N, December 2017
Great tour. Good commentary from our guides. Loved the Hobbiton Set amazing attention to detail for such a short duration of filming. Waitomo Caves mesmerising. Like star gazing. Love the Maori culture and history.
Review by: Bianca Vanessa L, December 2017
The Glow Worms Cave was the highlight of this tour. Its a must see natural wonder. Hobbiton of course you have to see at least once if you're a LOTR fan. What I didnt like was that we were only given 10-15 minutes for lunch considering we started really early and did not have proper breakfast .
Review by: pradeep a, December 2017
Lord of the Rings, Movie Set trip from Auckland was indeed excellent. We’ve read the books, seen the movies, but nothing prepared us for the actual beauty of the pristine countryside and the Movie set itself. The pub, the drinks and the superb lunch was icing on the cake.
Review by: gaines5, December 2017
If you are a Lord of the Rings fan this is a must see!_br/_ Hobbiton and the story behind it is very interesting._br/_ The Waitomo Caves with the glow worms is also a wonderful experience. Our bus driver Damine was fantastic. You will walk away with great knowledge of the history of New Zealand and the Maori
Review by: jeromern, December 2017
It was a big tour but amazing! The hobbit is just magical! Every corner of that place is a photo opportunity. The waitomo cave is very nice and interesting. You just can’t take pictures! So you have no choice but purchase the pics that they took from you so that you have souvenir from that place.
Review by: Katherine A, November 2017
My husband and I had a fantastic time visiting Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves. The caves and the movie set were incredibly beautiful. We enjoyed seeing the rolling green hills, cute little Hobbit houses, grazing sheep and the fabulous lunch at the Green Dragon. And those mesmerizing glow worms were a sight to behold as they twinkled overhead like stars in the sky. What an amazing day!
Review by: Mari V, November 2017
An amazing experience! We had a busdriver, Damian, who really seemed to love his job, and who gave us so much useful information. Not only about the caves in Waitomo and Hobbiton, but on New Zealand history, politics and people.
Review by: Sueann L, November 2017
We got lucky with great weather, so our photos were awesome. Be prepared for lots of buses and lots of people, but the flow is well controlled. Our buffet lunch had something for everyone. Loved this tour!
Review by: Lily L, June 2017
very good guide
Review by: Jim.Bengtson, June 2017
Going to Hobbiton exceeded our expectations. It was very well done and felt like we were right on the movie set. Being able to walk through the location was a lot of fun. The Waitomo Caves were okay but not as great as it was built up to be. Our driver Damien was very knowledgeable and helped us understand much of the history of New Zealand. He did get a bit political at times talking about a previous Prime Minister and all that she had accomplished. I could have done without all of that, but the rest of what he shared was very good.
Review by: MARGARET MANYEE L, June 2017
The driver very nice and helpful and the tour have a high CP rate, even though you are not a big friend of Lord of the Rings. The tour guide in Hobbiton, Sunny, you can see his passion of his job, during the whole journey he explain what's happening in the movie, it's make me imagine I'm in the movie.
Review by: Angela L, June 2017
We had the day tour with the driver Damien and it was amazing. He and #39;s very friendly, knowledgeable. Hobbiton move set was a nice experience, but the glowworm cave was really impressive. Thank you Damien and we have great day trip.
Review by: mfeit71, May 2017
Great, albeit long, day! Had a fantastic guide who explained much about New Zealand. Hobbiton was quite busy even on a NZ winter day can't imagine how it would be during NZ summer. Waitomo caves were gorgeous. Lunch buffet was satisfying -- plenty to eat.
Review by: Marty H, May 2017
This trip was amazing. I met at the SKyTower/City center downtown and they had a person checking off names and giving us a small container of fruit as a snack for the trip there. The driver Damien was friendly and very knowledgable as he took us down to Hobbiton. This was THE tour to be on. The tour guide Heather was fantastic and we went through the wonderful sights in Hobbiton ending for a beer in the Green Dragon and for a buffet meal in a huge tent worth of any Middle Earth inhabitant. The meal was varied and plenty that any Hobbit would enjoy and get their fill . I think it was Elevensies when we ate. _br/_ The trip down to the glow worm cave was tranquil The caves themselves were quite spectacular and I would definitely recommnend this again !!
Review by: Bryan S, May 2017
This was an awesome trip. Allan the driver and host was awesome. He had so much knowledge and told great stories. The country side and attractions are worth every penny. Great tour!!!!!
Review by: James W, May 2017
Tour was good, guide was good, however, some of his commentary wasn't really appropriate or interesting. Would have like to have heard more about the areas we were passing through, rather than the politics of New Zealand
Review by: Julie E, April 2017
Our daughter Julie bought this tour for my husband and myself. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Although I had not seen the Hobbit movies, the settings were pleasant to look at, truly bucolic. The caves were fascinating, beautiful.
Review by: Rithika K, April 2017
The tour was great. Damian was a great tour guide!! I learned so much from him about NZ and #39;s history and culture. It made the long drives feel seamless.
Review by: Pamela b, April 2017
this was a great tour
Review by: Phoebe, April 2017
Our pick-up time from the hotel was slightly too early. We were waiting for the bus outside the station and there were no seats whatsoever. Our driver/tour guide was very helpful and informative throughout the trip, providing us with facts about the places we were driving through, etc. The Hobbiton Movie Set was well worth it. My family and I took lots of pictures, and the food and drinks included were surprisingly good. The trip to the Waitomo Caves, on the other hand, felt so short. Although the place was beautiful, I felt as if I didn't exactly get the full experience visiting there because our boat ride was cut short. Overall, it was a good way to see the treasures of New Zealand, and I would recommend taking this trip! :
Review by: FERNANDO A, April 2017
One of hte best tours ever!
Review by: TASHA M, April 2017
Waitomo Caves was a sight to see and if you are a Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fan then Hobbiton is a must see for you! The tour was great from pickup and all the way through the long journey out there and back. The only problem was certain people on the tour who couldn't follow directions. At Hobbiton you are told to stay on the path and to not go on the grass...you are forced to go in a single file line of about 40 people. The Chinese tourists refused to listen to directions and held up the line multiple times to take and verify their dozens of selfies in each spot. At one point, I had to say, Shoot and Move because they were oblivious to the other people behind them. They were the only sore part of this tour and I wasn't going to let that ruin the tour for me.
Review by: Kathleen A, April 2017
Absolutely loved this tour! The Hobbiton movie set is way cooler than I ever expected it would be! Waits on caves were very interesting to see as well. The worms look like the stars in the sky! Stunning.
Review by: Joanna P, March 2017
Absolutely amazing. 42 Hobbit holes in total. The tour around the set took around 2.5 hrs with a lovely lunch provided. Glow worm caves are amazing too and the drive to reach eiher is very scenic . wee worth doing
Review by: Kim K, March 2017
It was awesome this is definitely something you should do while in Auckland. Our drive was awesome and gave us a great tour with interesting information. Loved it!
Review by: Rosenda I, March 2017
Hobbiton is such a wonderful sight. The only downside of our tour was that it was raining. We didn't have enough time to take nice photos coz the guide was in a hurry all the time, maybe due to the rain._br/_ Our coach driver/tour guide was such a never tiring man. From the city to the sights, he was talking all the time, but it was educating and we learned something new. He was also giving us tips on where to go for food and for shopping and how to get there._br/_ Overall, it was a fun experience.
Review by: Heather S, March 2017
Hobbition was so much fun and awesome to see! It really is worth it. The Waitomo Caves were also really cool to see. It was overall a really good tour!
Review by: patpowell718, February 2017
Still looking for misplaced iPhone if you went n this tour and have black backpack. Please contact me _br/_ Late hotel pickup by minivan led to not having seats together on the big, main touring bus and a rushed, late departure from Auckland. Despite the rough beginning, this was a delightful tour. The bus driver provided excellent running commentary on the local, beautiful scenery and history of New Zealand as we drove to our first destination. Our tour of Hobbiton was lead by knowledgeable, articulate guide. Despite huge crowds our group was sheparded through the set with sufficient time for viewing and photographing the sights - which were incredibly detailed...and totally fun! A refreshing drink at the Green Dragon, an iconic setting, followed by a tasty buffet lunch ended the tour. A short bus ride away was the natural wonder of the Glowworm caves. Our local Mauri guide had a great sense of humor and enjoyed pointing out all the natural wonders as we walked through the caves. The floors were tiled which made walking easy and there were handrails where necessary. The mini boat ride finale, surrounded by glow worms, was very impressive. This was definitely a day well spent!
Review by: Beata M, February 2017
This is amazing place and I recommend it to everyone but not with this company-v poor organised,rushed -it was difficult even to have time for a toilet.Amazing lunch but of course under big pressure of time.We couldn and #39;t even see Gift Shop !!!_br/_ Very ,very bad service for a lot of money :((
Review by: Tara B, February 2017
Hobbiton was so special, very unique and beautiful! Our bus driver Damian was AWESOME, we took several tours while in NZ and he far surpassed every other driver/tour guide that we met, so knowledgeable and shared so many interesting things about NZ. He was our favorite Kiwi of the trip! Bus was comfy and had free wifi, excellent tour overall. My one recommendation would be to do a more exciting activity at the Waitomo caves, I didn't realize until we got there that they offer rapelling and black water rafting in the caves. I would have preferred that over this particular tour which walks you through the cave and then a short boat ride, just a thought for the more adventurous!
Review by: Stephen W, February 2017
This was a great tour, especially if you are a fan of the movies. Our driver Damien, from Great Sights, made the long drives to and from the attractions seem mych shorter. He shared some interesting facts in story form and gave a lot of insight into the background and New Zealand in general.
Review by: Tiffany D, February 2017
Our tour guide was TERRIBLE! We went on 2/18, older gentleman and didn and #39;t state his name/wear name tag. He was the worst driver. Slammed on his brakes constantly and made for a very uncomfortable ride. No commentary on NZ as he and #34;wanted to focus on his driving and #34;. Book tours independently of Viator
Review by: Phyllis M, February 2017
Although it was a very long day the trip was great. Our driver Damian was a wealth of knowledge and told us things about NZ the entire bus ride to Hobbiton.
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