From Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Full-Day Trip

Set out on a captivating journey from the bustling city of Auckland to the enchanting realms of Hobbiton and the mesmerizing Waitomo Glowworm Caves. This full-day trip promises to whisk you away to a world of cinematic wonder and natural beauty, where you’ll explore iconic film sets and drift through awe-inspiring subterranean landscapes. With seamless transportation, expert insights, and a well-curated itinerary, this adventure offers the perfect blend of excitement, education, and breathtaking sights. Uncover the secrets of Middle-earth and witness the ethereal glow of nature’s own light show – an experience that will leave you captivated long after the day is done.

Key Points

• This full-day trip from Auckland offers a comprehensive exploration of the Hobbiton Movie Set and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, lasting approximately 12 hours.
• The tour includes hotel pickup, scenic drive, guided tours of both attractions, complimentary snacks and drinks, and flexibility with a reserve now, pay later option.
• The Hobbiton experience allows visitors to enjoy the iconic filming locations of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, while the Waitomo Caves showcase the stunning bioluminescent glowworms.
• The tour is highly rated by previous customers, with praise for exceptional guides, smooth transportation, and a well-organized experience.
• Pickup locations are conveniently located at major Auckland hotels, with scheduled times between 6 AM and 6:30 AM to ensure a seamless start to the day.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

This full-day trip from Auckland takes visitors to the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set and the renowned Waitomo Glowworm Caves, providing a comprehensive exploration of New Zealand’s renowned natural and cinematic landscapes.

The 12-hour tour offers significant savings, with prices ranging from NZ$5,021 to NZ$6,276 per person, and features free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Guests can choose the convenient reserve now, pay later option.

The tour includes pickup from select Auckland hotels, a scenic 2-hour drive through the Kaimai Range, guided tours at both Hobbiton and Waitomo, and complimentary snacks, water, and a drink at The Green Dragon Inn.

Lunch is available for purchase, and sensible footwear is recommended for the walking tour.

Itinerary Details

The tour typically begins with pickups from select Auckland hotels, including the Pullman Auckland, Hilton Auckland, Grand Millennium Auckland, and SkyCity Hotel Auckland, usually between 6 AM and 6:30 AM. The exact time is confirmed via email the day prior.

Guests then embark on a scenic 2-hour drive through the Kaimai Range in a luxury vehicle equipped with free Wi-Fi and snacks.

The first stop is the Hobbiton Movie Set, where travelers enjoy a guided tour of the 1,250-acre sheep farm that served as the filming location for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

After exploring Hobbiton, the tour continues to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves for a guided boat ride and to learn about the caves’ history and geology.

Hobbiton Experience

Visitors can explore the expansive 1,250-acre sheep farm where the iconic Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were filmed, seeing the whimsical world of Hobbiton. They’ll stroll along the village’s picturesque lanes, passing by the iconic Hobbit Holes, the Old Mill, and the charming Double-Arched Bridge.

At the end of the guided walking tour, guests can enjoy a complimentary drink at the famous Green Dragon Inn. Sensible footwear is recommended as the tour involves a decent amount of walking.

Throughout the experience, visitors will gain a deeper appreciation for the meticulous attention to detail that went into bringing J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary masterpieces to life on the silver screen.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Experience

After exploring the enchanting Hobbiton, the tour takes visitors on a journey to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Here, they’ll learn about the caves’ historical and geological significance while embarking on a guided boat ride to witness the mesmerizing glow of the cave’s resident creatures.

During the boat tour, guests will be captivated by the thousands of tiny glowworms illuminating the dark, underground caverns. The tour guide will share fascinating insights into these unique bioluminescent creatures and the evolution of the caves over time.

While photography isn’t allowed inside the caves, the experience promises to leave a lasting impression on visitors. With its perfect blend of education and wonder, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves segment completes the day’s adventure.

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Inclusions and Important Information

This tour includes central Auckland pickup and drop-off, transportation by luxury van, and a professional driver/guide.

Tickets for the guided tours at Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves are also provided, along with complimentary snacks, bottled water, and a drink at The Green Dragon Inn.

Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, as the tour involves walking. However, drones and photography inside the caves aren’t permitted.

Lunch can be purchased separately. Travelers should bring everything they might need for the day, as the tour covers a lot of ground over 12 hours.

With reliable transportation and knowledgeable guides, this excursion ensures a seamless and memorable experience.

Customer Reviews Summary

Travelers have overwhelmingly praised this tour, with an impressive overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 113 reviews. The tour guide rating stands out at an exceptional 4.9/5, while the transportation and service received glowing reviews at 4.6/5 and 4.8/5, respectively. Customers were particularly impressed with the organization of the tour, which scored 4.6/5.

Metric	Rating
Overall	4.6/5
Guide	4.9/5
Transportation	4.6/5
Service	4.8/5
Organization	4.6/5

While some noted the restrictions on freely exploring Hobbiton, the vast majority of reviewers highlighted the exceptional guides, smooth transportation, and well-organized nature of the full-day adventure.

Pickup Locations and Times

The tour offers convenient pickup locations from major Auckland hotels, including the Pullman Auckland, Hilton Auckland, Grand Millennium Auckland, and SkyCity Hotel Auckland.

Pickup times are scheduled between 6 AM and 6:30 AM, with the exact time confirmed via email the day before the tour. This allows for a smooth start to the day, ensuring travelers don’t have to worry about transportation or navigating to the meeting point.

The tour’s organizers have carefully planned the pickup locations and times to make the experience as seamless as possible for participants.

Whether you’re staying at one of the featured hotels or need to arrange your own transportation to a pickup spot, the tour makes it easy to join the adventure.

Pricing and Cancellation Policy

Savings of up to 20% are available, with the tour priced between Kč6,276 to Kč5,021 per person.

This full-day trip from Auckland to the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves offers excellent value. Travelers can take advantage of the reserve now & pay later option, and there’s free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

This flexibility allows visitors to plan their trip with confidence, knowing they can adjust their plans if needed.

With a comprehensive itinerary and inclusions, the tour provides an immersive experience at two of New Zealand’s top attractions, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a memorable day trip from Auckland.

Recap

This captivating full-day trip from Auckland takes visitors on an unforgettable journey to the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set and the mesmerizing Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

With picturesque landscapes, fascinating insights, and delightful experiences, it’s an adventure that combines breathtaking sights and educational elements.

The well-organized itinerary, inclusive of hotel pickup and luxurious transportation, ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience for all.

You can check if your dates are available here: