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 is the new 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
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.
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
What‘s Included
Classic Light Kiwi café-style lunch
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2,984 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Going on an Adventure!
Javier B,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a blast as we set forth on our very own adventure! This was designed for both those who have some familiarity with LOTR and for the diehard fans! Also, the glow worm cave has to be seen to be believed!
Best tour guide- Liam!!
Max B,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Liam was an amazing and knowledgeable tour guide who was very personable and fun! Not only did he give us a mini tour and history lesson of the city but he made an excel sheet that was color coded by district of the city with his favorite near by restaurants and experiences! Any questions we had he answered and his conversation was very easy going and he was able to get everyone on our trip talking and connected with each other even though we were from all over the world. Thank you Liam!
The Shire and the shine (glow)
Virginia H,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had the most amazing time during this tour! Our driver, Mike, kept us in laughter with his trivia of New Zealand and captivating personality during our travels. The Hobbiton experience was exceptional and exciting to see/learn all aspects of the Shire. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and gave insights on how certain scenes from the movie were made. The glow worm caves were equally intriguing. Our tour guide gave many stories about the caves and seeing the glow worms in total darkness was awe inspiring!
Lovely and well organized trip
Abdullah A,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very well organized. Lovely team. New and comfortable ride. Well structured timetable and a well informative one.
Family friendly fun
Tara O,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an amazing experience and our tour guide Nelson was fantastic. We were travelling with a small child and he was very patient for all the potty breaks we had to take, never rushed us and was very knowledgeable. This is a must do if you are in Auckland
Thumbs up
Anonymous,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Rachel (our driver) is very friendly and accommodating. Liam is our tour guide inside the Hobbiton and he is very knowledgeable and funny. Overall, the tour is worth the money and enjoyable.
Well-done tour with the ever knowledgeable tour guide Danny
jacquelinenguyen7,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hobbiton and the glowworm caves were super awesome! Tour was easy - Danny picked us up in comfortable van and ferried us between both locations, making sure we had big lunches and bathroom breaks. We even had a random pit stop to feed an farm ostrich and then another stop to taste honey at a cute little shop run by a cute little lady! Great honey at The Hive btw. Tour group is small - mine was about 8 people, so we got to know each other. Danny was a pleasant and very knowledgeable guide about anything and everything Kiwi past and present. Overall, a great tour with great company!
Great experience! Loads of fun. Highly Recommend
Nicole H,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Everything about the experience was amazing! Communication was clear and excellent from the moment I booked. We were lucky enough to have Danny as our driver/ tour guide. Danny is extremely knowledgeable and friendly without being over the top or in your face. Every staff member/ tour guide we had throughout the day was happy and friendly. As someone who is claustrophobic, I was concerned about the Waitomo Caves however, the caves were spacious and had plenty of airflow. I felt completely fine with no worries after the first 10 metres into the caves. Would highly recommend this tour that includes both the Hobbiton and Glow Worm Caves as the day is filled with so much more than just those two activities.
Hobbiton / Waitomo caves
Robert D,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Steven was excellent. Great trip. Hobbiton was amazing as was the Waitomo cave experience.
Must-do in Auckland
LiaRae T,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was such a great value for two amazing tours and a meal! Especially given that it included pick up and drop off right at my hotel. Our driver / guide Mike was so lovely and made sure he knew everyone in the tour group by name. He was also very knowledgeable about New Zealand and all the areas we drove through, sharing with us little fun facts and stories as we drove to our destinations. I very much enjoyed the Hobbiton tour, it was just gorgeous. One need not be an LOTR fan to appreciate seeing the stunningly made sets combined with New Zealand’s natural beauty. The Waitomo Caves were amazing as well, it was great learning a bit about how the caves were formed and the glow worms inside. The boat ride was otherworldly and a really unique experience. I would definitely recommend this tour combo to anyone visiting Auckland! Definitely not something you’d get to see elsewhere in the world.
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Operated by Auckland Scenic Tours