New Zealand bucket list attractions Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves and Rotorua are easily accessible from Auckland. Visitors, short on time, do not have transport or simply want someone else to do the driving have the option of joining an Auckland based tour. This means you will not miss out on visiting Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves, both top NZ visitor destinations.
Auckland to Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves or Rotorua’s volcanic wonders is a long day in a tour bus yet don’t miss out because you are short on time, travel on a specialist tour bus and enjoy a day outside Auckland to an attraction you really want to visit… read more.
It is a considerable driving distance from Auckland to the Waikato region where these attractions are located.
- Auckland to Waitomo Caves 190 km (one way) 2 ½ hours
- Auckland to Rotorua 225 km (one way) 2 ¾ hours
- Auckland to Hobbiton 168 km (one way) 2 hours
- Auckland to Hamilton Gardens 140 km (one way) 1 ¾ hours
Auckland day trips to Hobbiton / Waitomo Caves drive past NZ beautiful rolling farmland with sheep and cows grazing and pockets of native bush. You will glimpse the magnificent Waikato River. Over half of the journey is on multiple lane state highway one.
Ideally New Zealand visitors would have time for an immersive Waikato experience exploring Matamata (Hobbiton) and the surrounding district with Waitomo Caves, Putaruru Blue Springs, Hamilton Gardens fantasy world yet visitors are constrained by limited time for their New Zealand holiday. Join the tour bus and relax, let someone else do the driving, you’re on holiday after all.
There are five major attractions south of Auckland to pop onto your bucket list for an Auckland day tour
- Hobbiton near Matamata
- Waitomo Caves in the Waikato
- Rotorua volcanic marvels and Maori craft in the Waikato
- Hamilton Gardens fantasy worlds in the Waikato
- Tauranga beach culture & Mt Manganui
Hobbiton is one of New Zealand’s premier visitor destinations.The immaculate film set has been beautifully restored its full glory. Enjoy the vegetable gardens, clothes on the washing line and kids toys scattered in the front yard of a Hobbit hole. Visitors feel as though the Hobbits have just stepped outside for a moment. The diminutive Hobbits are characters occupying the fantasy world in the book series, Lord of the Rings. Hobbiton recreates this life in Shires Rest, Waikato region. The village feels as though Baggins and the other Hobbits will pop out from their the round front doors and greet visitors. Peter Jackson’s film trilogy Lord of the Rings won Oscars for the portrayal of this world and Hobbiton manages to capture the sense of wonder and imagination that went into the planning where to base the Hobbiton village.
Undoubtedly Hobbiton is commercial tourism yet it’s not tacky. Enjoy New Zealand’s tiny piece of ‘Disneyland’ and join a tour. NOTE: The only way to tour Hobbiton is on a guided tour.
Auckland to Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Tour with Lunch
Visit two iconic New Zealand attractions with this small group day tour to Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch and time for shopping.
Pickup and drop-off from inner city Auckland is included. Please be waiting in the lobby at the given pickup time (pick ups are between 6.30 AM and 7:00 AM).
Highlights
- Explore Hobbiton Movie Set on a guided tour
- Enjoy a complimentary ale, cider, or ginger beer in the Green Dragon Inn
- Savour a delicious buffet lunch at the Green Dragon marquee
- Spend time browsing the Hobbiton gift shop, using the $10 shopping voucher included in the tour
- Marvel in silence at Waitomo Glow Worm Caves as you glide through the glow worm grotto. Tour provider Bush & Beach
Auckland: One-Way Transfer to Rotorua Hobbiton Tour
Enjoy a convenient door-to-door transfer from Auckland to Rotorua and make the most of your trip by stopping at Hobbiton on the way. Take a guided tour of the movie set and visit The Green Dragon Inn.
Enjoy a convenient door-to-door transfer from Auckland to Rotorua and make the most of your trip by stopping at Hobbiton on the way. Take a guided tour of the movie set and visit The Green Dragon Inn.
Highlights
- Drive through the stunning Waikato countryside
- Arrive at Alexander family sheep farm and Shire’s Rest
- Board one of the Hobbiton buses to depart on your 2 hour fully guided tour
- In Rotorua we will show you many of the city’s famous and historical sites
Auckland: Hobbiton Afternoon Tour
This tour starts later than most (at 12:00 PM) from Auckland. Travel to and from Hobbiton on a luxury mini bus and join a group tour of Hobbiton for the iconic walking tour of Hobbiton Movie Set.
Highlights
- Travel through the Waikato region, which is well known for cattle and dairy farming
- Take a walking tour of the Hobbiton Movie set with a local Hobbiton guide
- Benefit from return transport to Auckland included
Can you do Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves in one day?
Enjoy two spectacular places on one trip. We will take you to both the Hobbiton Movie Set and the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves in this one day tour. Enjoy two spectacular places on one trip.
From Auckland to Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Supercharged
Whew what a day, a combo finishing on a high note in Rotorua. Join a unique day tour that combines Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves and Cultural Evening in Rotorua.
Highlights
- Smaller group Tours of up to 12 people
- Door-to-door transport with informative commentary
- Join a guided tour of Hobbiton
- Waitomo Caves Tour
- Cutural Evening in Rotorua
Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Bus Tour with Festive Lunch
Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves on a day trip by premium bus from Auckland. Savor a sumptuous festive lunch onsite at Hobbiton. Immerse yourself into the landscape of Middle Earth under the care of your expert guide.
Highlights
- Journey by premium bus to Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves from Auckland
- Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a guided tour
- Step foot in Hobbit holes at the Hobbiton Movie Set
- Savor a festive lunch in the party marquee at the Green Dragon Inn
- Surf the net to your heart’s content with free Wi-Fi onboard the bus
FROM AUCKLAND Hobbiton & Rotorua including Wai-O-Tapu – Small Group Tour
Visit two of the North Island’s most popular attractions in one day on this small-group tour from Auckland. First, hear behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ films on a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. In the afternoon, continue to Rotorua to explore the city and visit the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, where highlights include geysers, volcanic mud pools, sulphur springs, and geothermal craters. Guided Hobbiton tour including a drink at The Green Dragon Inn Spectacular sights and photo opportunities at the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland Hassle-free hotel pickup and round-trip transport from Auckland Small-group tour with a maximum of 11 people
Read more about Hobbiton & Rotorua including Wai-O-Tapu – Small Group Tour from Auckland
AUCKLAND DAY TOURS NORTH OF THE CITY
Afternoon Black Sand Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland
Explore the Waitakere Ranges rain forest and Auckland’s rugged west coast, including Piha Beach, during an afternoon tour with a guide who is knowledgeable about New Zealand flora and fauna. From the Arataki Centre, admire sweeping views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Learn about Maori history, stroll the beach, and take a nature walk through a lush rain forest while you experience Auckland’s largest regional park. Admire the amazing Waitakere Ranges on this afternoon tour from Auckland Visit Arataki Center, gateway to the Waitakere Ranges Breathtaking panoramic views of the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean Hotel pickup and drop off from centrally located Auckland hotels.
Read more about Afternoon Black Sand Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland. DURATION HALF DAY.
Private Tour: Hobbiton Movie Set & Hamilton Gardens Experience
Visit Hobbiton, the award-winning attraction made famous by the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. Explore the intricately created “hobbit holes”, the Green Dragon Inn, the Party Tree and so much more. Next, amble through an open-air museum of the history of gardens, where you can travel through time and see how gardens have grown and evolved around the world.
ROMANTIC TOUR OF HAMILTON
An exclusive tour for all the romantics of the world! Together with the professional local guide, you will visit the most romantic places in the city. Hamilton is nestled on the banks of the mighty Waikato River and is known for its walks, gardens, cafes and nightlife. You will feel spellbound in a charming atmosphere. What is considered as one of the best places to have a date in the city? Where can you make lovely photos? You will be surprised how many historical love stories are hidden in the streets, buildings, parks of the city. From heartbreaking and tragic, to the hilarious or spicy ones. Hamilton Gardens is a conceptual garden based in the Waikato that explores the context, history and meaning of gardens through time, and from around the world. It is internationally recognised for its unique concept and is the Waikato region’s most popular tourist destination. This tour is especially recommended in the Saint Valentine period.
DURATION 2 HOURS
Departure details
- 950 Victoria Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204, New Zealand The main Entrance of “Gateway Church
Private 2 Day Tour: Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua Geothermal & Hamilton Gardens
Experience several of the central North Island’s highlights on this private two-day tour that’s ideal for cruise ship passengers or those short on time. Be immersed in movie-making history at Hobbiton, admire the twinkling glow worms at Waitomo Caves, be amazed by the geothermal attractions at Te Puia Geothermal Valley in Rotorua, and enjoy a river cruise at the Hamilton Gardens. See and do a lot in two days.
Private 3 Days Tour From Auckland: Hobbiton, Hamilton, Rotorua & Waitomo Caves
Travelers who want to see a lot in a short time will love this three-day tour of some of the North Island’s highlights. Starting in Auckland you’ll travel south to the whimsical Hobbiton film set, the cultural and geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, the dazzling glow worm caves of Waitomo, and more. As this is a private tour you can customize the itinerary to suit your interests and needs.
Twilight Kayak Glow worm Tour – Hamilton Waikato
Adventurous travelers will love this glowworm-spotting tour with a difference. As the sun gets lower in the sky, paddle in a kayak on Lake Karapiro and along the Pokaiwhenua Stream. You’ll see beautiful native plants and bird life, and rock formations that have been naturally carved over centuries. Once the light disappears, you’ll see thousands of glowworms lighting your way. This tour is a fun way to experience some of New Zealand’s best natural attractions.
Hamilton Gardens Highlights Tour
Enjoy on a morning guided tour of Hamilton Gardens, a 133-acre (54-hectare) site located along the Waikato River. Stroll among 21 themed gardens that exemplify botanical history and style. You’ll explore museum-style exhibitions of garden collections that represent civilizations throughout the world, from a Chinese dynasty to the Italian Renaissance. Learn from your docent how the garden was transformed from a garbage dump to this international treasure and popular attraction.
Guided tours leave the Hamilton Gardens Information Centre at 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tours take approximately 1.15 hours.
FREE TOUR BOOK THRU HAMILTON GARDENS ONLINE RESOURCE
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BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
Best Bits travel guide is published by nzjane.com. Owned and managed by PacificJane Ltd.
Our editors independently visit tour operators, purchase tickets, pay for accommodation, and rate products and places. We are not paid to go on a tour or visit a place. We only make money if you decide to purchase a product through our website links. We promise to never accept free products from manufacturers in return for boosting their products. Read more about our affiliate programme in the terms and conditions HERE.
