Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Tour with Lunch from Auckland
Description
Discover two of New Zealand’s top attractions in one unforgettable day. Our small-group Hobbiton & Waitomo tour gives you more - more time to explore, more comfort, and thoughtful touches that set us apart. With a maximum of 15 guests, enjoy a relaxed pace, surprise photo stops, and secret encounters along the way. Led by passionate guides and including a delicious lunch, this is the ultimate North Island adventure Due to the delicate ecosystem within the Waitomo Caves, photography is not permitted inside. This policy helps protect the glowworms, ensuring the preservation of this unique environment.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your tour starts in New Zealand’s largest city. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the city’s top highlights.
Exiting Auckland we travel south through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world, encountering beautiful scenery, mighty rivers, great photo opportunities, impressive mountains and several farm animals along the way.
Arriving at our first feature attraction, you will be guided through the ancient and amazing caves seeing many different cave formations including Stalactites, Stalagmites and Lime Columns before descending even further underground for your Glowworm experience. Board your glowworm boat for a cruise on the grotto river with thousands of Glowworms sparkling above you. Unique to New Zealand for over 120 years, Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a must see for any traveller.
Time to recharge with a tasty lunch, included as part of your tour. Choose from a fresh selection of savoury bites to keep you going for the afternoon. Relax and enjoy the local flavours before continuing your adventure.
Arriving at the second feature attraction ‘Hobbiton’ you will board one of the big green Hobbiton buses and depart on a two & a half hour fully guided tour of this amazing 12 acre movie set with a professional Hobbiton guide to ensure you get the most out of your visit. During your tour step into the lush pastures of the Shire, visit 44 hobbit holes, see amazing gardens, hear the secrets and stories about the making of the movies and enjoy a cold complimentary beverage at the famous Hobbiton pub ‘The Green Dragon Inn’.
This stunning lake is home to one of New Zealand’s first hydro dams and where some of New Zealand’s great rowers train. With amazing views across the lake and countryside, it’s a great place for a quick break and some photos.
Sadly after Hobbiton we must start to head north again but your day is not over with a fully guided return trip to Auckland including secret stops along the way.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
*If no pickup is selected at time of booking, you will be allocated our default meeting point (SkyCity Hotel). You are welcome to update this at any time. If your location isn’t listed, please choose your nearest available option & meet us there. *Pick-ups can begin up to 20 minutes before the tour departure time, depending on location. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside 5 minutes prior to your specific pickup time. *Pick-up locations are carefully planned for each tour and may vary by day. If your pick-up location changes, kindly inform us in advance. *Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. We are unable to wait for late guests.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- A moderate amount of walking is involved. Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- Bus tour operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- The legal drinking age is 18, and ID may be required
Reviews(28)
Grant from Cheeky Kiwi Tours was fantastic—friendly, accommodating, and always cheerful. The drive was so smooth and comfortable that I had a great nap! Had an amazing day and really enjoyed the trip. Highly recommended!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The excursion both to the Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves was very interesting, a real success! We enjoyed the whole day, and Grant, our driver, made it even more interesting with his positive attitude and great knowledge of NZ.
Kia ora! It’s great to hear that you had such a fantastic day exploring Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves! Grant definitely knows how to make a trip extra special with his positive energy and local knowledge. We’re glad it all came together for you. Thanks for your kind words, and we’d love to have you join us again on future adventures! Ngā mihi, Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
While a 5:45 am pick up was very early, seeing Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves made it totally worth it. Matt was an excellent guide - he pointed out interesting sites and had good stories. He handled pick up at about 6 hotels (?) after our pick up (there were people in the van when we were picked up) smooth and relatively painless. Hobbiton was a real treat - especially for a LOTR/Hobbit fan (me) however, my husband enjoyed it too. The glowworms were special - definitely something I will remember forever.
Kia ora! It’s fantastic to hear you loved both Hobbiton and the Glow Worm Caves! A 5:45 am pick-up is quite early, but it sounds like Matt made the journey enjoyable with his interesting stories and smooth organization. We're delighted that both you and your husband found the tour to be a treat, especially as a fan of LOTR/Hobbit. Those glowworms truly are a magical experience! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and we hope to see you again on another adventure! Ngā mihi, Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Booked with Cheeky Kiwi Tours: Waitomo Caves & Hobbiton Auckland. Liam is a top tier tour guide. From start to finish the full day went well. The fun day of activities surpassed expectations. Friendly client services. All communications were handled competently and quickly. Whole experience was positive, a professionally operated company and staff.
Kia ora! It sounds like you had an incredible day with Liam as your guide! We're thrilled to hear that the tour surpassed your expectations and that our team provided friendly and efficient service. Thank you for your positive feedback, and we hope to see you again for more adventures with Cheeky Kiwi! Ngā mihi, Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Viator and the company gave such great help and advice every step of the booking. The tour company were excellent, on time, tour leader Grant was helpful, kind, just the right amount of chatty and informative and the locations were amazing. Hobbiton was absolutely a highlight of our trip, the most magical and yet professionally run place imaginable. Even in the rain, with golf umbrellas provided! The caves were likewise magic. Be aware that there is a decent amount of walking and negotiating smallish hills, rough ground and steps. I'm a bit lacking in mobility but it is so worth it to push past it, and staff are very supportive! Highly recommend all aspects of the booking.
It was a beautiful experience. I enjoyed the trip. Guide/driver Marc was very knowledgable, helpful and very humble. I highly recommend anyone to this trip with Driver/guide Marc.
Good experience to know further about the Hobitton village. Amazing experience to see the glow worms in the cave.
Excellent trip. The caves were very interesting and the worms put on quite a show. Hobbiton was wonderful. The hobbit hole you could tour was so much fun. Grant our drive was fun and informative.
Fabulous day. Our driver was fantastic very informative & friendly. Made our day almost perfect despite the was long, he was full of positive energy and great vibe. Thanks a million
Our guide John was wonderful, kind and knowledgeable. He catered the trip to our diverse group from around the globe and the entire group was passionate about LotR making it a great experience for everyone
