Waitomo Caves and The Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland with Private Transport

Auckland, New Zealand

Your private transport takes you to two of New Zealand's most famous attractions on a full-day tour to Waitomo Caves and the Hobbiton movie set from Auckland. See glow worms glimmer in the subterranean Waitomo Caves, then visit the movie set that brought The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to life. Be driven in comfort through New Zealand's beautiful countryside by your private vehicle and enjoy lunch at Waitomo.

After being picked up from your Auckland hotel at the time of your choice, sit back and relax on the 2.5-hour drive to the Waitomo Caves. The route takes you beside the Waikato River and through the gently undulating farming country of the Waikato region. Pass the site of the famous battle fought between Maori and British forces at Rangiri, see the sacred Taupiri Mountain and photograph the Pirongia volcano hovering on the horizon if the weather is clear.

At Waitomo, join a 45-minute tour of the amazing glow-worm caves, including a tranquil boat ride on an underground stream to ensure a good view of the glow worms.

Enjoy lunch in Waitomo, then travel by private vehicle to a farm near the small town of Matamata and the Shire's Rest cafe, where your Hobbiton tour begins. You have a choice between a shared group tour or your own private tour.

Lasting just under two hours, your tour takes you on a drive through the bucolic sheep farm that was chosen as the Hobbiton movie set for The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Hear how the location was chosen, how the sets were created and which scenes were shot here. Visit famous sites from the films, including the cute Hobbit holes cut into the ground at Bag End, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and the Party Tree.

Your tour concludes at the quaint Shire's Rest cafe, where your private guide will collect you for your return trip to Auckland. Follow a different route on the journey, and enjoy scenic views of the North Island's countryside before being dropped at your hotel in the city.

USD $376.00

Traveler Reviews

Review by:   cheryl a,    February 2018
We had only one day in Auckland and decided to do this-What a fantastic guide and trip Much longer than we expected and we would have loved to stop at the small towns with the cows done up for a treat._br/_ We could have done with a little less scenery and a stop in the town but it was amazing.Plan for 12 hours..

Review by:   Wayne J,    April 2017
This was absolutely amazing. Great and fun guide who really gave us a behind the scenes tour and stories as we drove to see the amazing sites. Our whole group will remember this forever.

Review by:   Jonathan O,    September 2016
This was an amazing day! Our tour guide was prompt and so, so polite she made the trip to Waitomo and to the movie set a real pleasure with her delightful conversation. It was surprisingly nice to ride in private transport as opposed to big busses, and the two locations the caves and the movie set were lots of fun. We would highly recommend this tour!

Review by:   Faizan Hassan,    June 2016
Amazing tour and tour guide. We had an absolutely amazing time. Highly recommended for anyone visiting New Zealand and Auckland.

Review by:   Willard P,    February 2016
Hobbiton is amazing. The caves were like nothing we had ever visited. The journey from Auckland was a bit long but worth it.

Review by:   Kathy L,    November 2015
Sofia was a great tour guide, we had a very enjoyable day. Only reason this gets a 4 and not a 5 had nothing to do with the tour company but only that because of a rising river we were unable to do the full Waitomo caves experience had to go out the same way we went in which really backed things up. Had a really enjoyable day and would highly recommend.

Review by:   Flerie S,    December 2014
Time Unlimited private tour was the best._br/_ Our tour guide / driver Daniel is very friendly, knowledgeable polite and accommodating._br/_ He made our tour pleasant and comfortable._br/_ We had a great time and worthed.

Review by:   mary l,    February 2014
This private tour worth the price, with friendly and knowledgeable tour bus driver, tour guides at the Caves and at The Hobbiton movie set. We had a great , enjoyable whole day. Highly recommend to people who have not been there before. The buffet lunch was fine if people like BBQ foods, the homemade carrot cakes was excellent.

Review by:   Mrs Rosemarie W,    February 2014
It was the best day of our holiday...We couldn't have asked for anything better.

All Traveler Reviews...