Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch
Overview
Available languages
11 hours
Mobile ticket
Join this tour to visit two of New Zealand’s most famous attractions, Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves, in one easy day trip from Auckland. Our tour from 1 December 2023 will be the extended Hobbiton Experience (now 2.5 hours) where you can venture beyond the door to a fully themed Hobbit Hole interior. Immerse yourself in the interior with entry hall, bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, dining area, equipped bathroom, parlour and crackling fireplace. Be fascinated as the magical world of Hobbiton comes to life and take photos in front of your favourite places like the Hobbit Holes, the Shire and the Green Dragon Inn. Then journey to the World Famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves and be captivated by the thousands of magical glowworms twinkling in the Grottos, the stalactites and stalagmites as you glide silently through the cave by boat. Marvel at the stunning scenery en route as we journey off the motorways into the real hinterland of New Zealand. All admission fees and cafe lunch included.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
A maximum of 14 people per booking (We can provide this tour to groups larger than 14 by discussions with Viator and ourselves)
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Not Wheel-Suitable Friendly as these are walking tours
We can provide NZ Safety Approved Child Car Seats and Booster Seats. We do not provide strollers or infant back packs
We do not pick up from the suburbs of Auckland; only the Downtown CBD and 1 location in South Auckland for those staying near the airport-The Sebel Manukau Hotel, 16 Lakewood Court, Manukau
There is no photography allowed in the area of the Caves where the glowworms are as the glowworms react negatively to flashlight and will turn their lights off and they then take 2 hours to return to their full luminescence.
Tour leaves Auckland at 6:30am with everyone on board-the pickups occur across the CBD in the 25 minutes prior to that
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Auckland Central
After leaving Auckland you will travel south over the Bombay Hills as you get elevated panoramic views of the Waikato Region and travel across the scenic Hauraki Plains to Matamata, the home of Hobbiton Movie Set.
Hobbiton Movie Set
Begin with a tour through the picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across the Kaimai Ranges. Your guide will escort you through the 10 acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton Movie Set was created. Hobbit Holes, The Green Dragon Inn, The Mill and other structures can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into the Shire from Middle-earth. Visit and explore inside the newly built fully themed Hobbit Hole on Bagshot Row. Complimentary specially brewed beverages are available at the Green Dragon Inn as you complete your tour. Afterwards, enjoy a very classic light “Kiwi” style lunch at the "Homestead" and get to share stories from Hobbiton and interact with your fellow travellers.
What‘s Included
Classic Light Kiwi café-style lunch
Small-group tour merges with the public at each attraction-All Hobbiton Hotel have 41 visitors
Hotel pickup/ drop-off from Downtown Auckland City ONLY. Closest other options if staying in suburbs
Complimentary Drink at the Green Dragon
Local taxes
Admission ticket: Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Local driver/guide
Food and drinks, unless specified
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Hobbiton New Experience
Venture Beyond the Hobbit Door: Experience a fully themed Hobbit Hole Interior
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes: Enjoy an extended Hobbiton Movie Set experience with our increased tour length time to a 2.5 hour tour.
Complimentary Drink: Included in our tour will be a complimentary ale, stout, apple cider or non-alcoholic ginger beer.
Start Time: The start time of the tour with everyone picked up across the CBD is at 6:30am. The pickups occur in the preceding 25 minutes
Pickup included
Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Day Trip from Auckland
Pickup included
Reviews
2,685 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great day with Auckland Scenic Tours
Luke L,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just back from the Hobbiton/Waitomo Cave tour. Steven was a fantastic guide and was full of interesting facts about the area and country. He also went above and beyond to make sure everyone was taken care of. The van is modern and I felt very safe. Both sites were great and I felt that we had adequate time at each. Although it is a very long day, time flies. The stop to get ice cream on the way back to Auckland was also appreciated and broke up the journey. We crossed paths with other guides from the company and they seem a great bunch.
Awesome perfect day to Hobbiton
Escape23014504477,,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved this tour!! Our guide, Liam, was the absolute best. He was punctual, friendly, full of knowledge and did a great job escorting us around all day. We got to Hobbiton early...which meant we had to leave early but we were there before the crowds hit so that was great. We had a wonderful tour and afterwards a great lunch. The glow worm caves were also stunning and we enjoyed that stop. We even stopped on the way back for ice cream which was delicious. Liam gave everyone several suggestions for places to eat and we loved this day! Thank you!
The Hobbiton portion of...
James D,,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The Hobbiton portion of this tour is great even if you are not a Lord of the Rings fan. The length was just right and the Stout and Cider was a nice reward at the end. Lunch was very good, I had the Beef/Pork Sausage Roll. The Waitomo Cave was like nothing I have never seen before; it was like looking the Milky Way at night on steroids.
A beautiful Hobbiton day
Roving771693,,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you are a hobbit fan it is a must. We had perfect weather and a great tour operator. It is a long ride from Auckland, if I did it again I would have come from Tauranga instead. Cannot forget our van driver, personable and very informative.
Hobbiton day
Corina R,,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A great day, especially the Hobbitton experience. Our guide was Liam and his energy during the day was awesome. Strongly recommend the tour!
Such a great day!
Ashley T,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such a good time and we got super lucky with the weather! Martin was the best, he kept everyone informed and entertained the entire time. While I would love to do Hobbiton again, I would probably opt out of the glow worm tour. Nonetheless, still an amazing day filled with fun and hokey pokey ice cream!
Excellent day out
Oliver H,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very good day out. Attractions excellent and very scenic journey to them. Food offerings very good as well. Guide, Liam, was knowledgable and friendly. Overall a long but excellent day out. Size of group made it very personable. Very well organised company.
Wonderful experience
Joseph F,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00I don't often leave reviews, but this was a great experience. If you are a LOTR fan, the hobbiton is a must see. We went on a rainy day and the staff provided umbrellas for everyone and still provided a phenomenal tour. The tour guides were very knowledgeable in the movie and different fun facts. I felt as though the gift shop did not have enough gifts to satisfy someone but nonetheless there is something for everyone. The reason I gave this a 4/5 star is because at the glowworm caves, you cant take any photos inside the cave which came as a surprise upon arrival. That I did not like at all. While it was still beautiful to see, I didn't like being shortsighted on this aspect of the trip. In all, still worth it to see.
Hobbit day
James M,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent experience would recommend for everyone but do play on walking a lot. Not good for the walking challenged.
Fabulous
Rhada T,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful day visiting Hobbiton and the Glow Worm Caves with our two kids. The tour was very well structured and perfectly organized. Our guide and driver, Steven, was incredibly kind and attentive to our needs, making the experience easy and enjoyable for the whole family. His knowledge of Kiwi and Māori culture was impressive, and the stories behind the Hobbiton movie set were truly mind-blowing. Both the movie set and the Glow Worm Caves were unforgettable highlights. Highly recommend this tour, especially for families!
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Operated by Auckland Scenic Tours