2 Day Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua Tour from Auckland
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Auckland, New Zealand
- 2 days (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the otherworldly beauty of New Zealand’s North Island, from Rotorua’s geothermal pools and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves to the Shire at the Hobbiton™ Movie Set in rural Waikato. Day trips from Auckland involve too much driving so spend the night in Rotorua for a more leisurely experience. Enjoy standard (3-star) or superior (4-star) accommodation, plus one breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Visit the famous Waitomo Caves and see magnificent glowworms
- Discover Rotorua's cultural heritage and geothermal activity
- Experience real Māori culture during an evening cultural show
- Tolkien fans will love see where parts of "The Lord of the Rings" was filmed
What's Included
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Overnight accommodation in Rotorua
- Hobbiton Movie Set tour
- Maori Evening Experience
- Te Puia geothermal experience
- Commentary or guide during tours
- Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
- Gratuities
- Meals unless specified
- Travel insurance. We recommend travel insurance for all tours
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Pick up from your inner city accommodation. Please advise your Auckland accommodation at the time of booking.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland–Waitomo–Rotorua (L, D). Following hotel pickup, depart Auckland aboard your air-conditioned coach, heading south to the North Island’s renowned Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Enter the otherworldly limestone labyrinth with your guide, observing the stalactite formations and the phosphorescent shimmer of tiny glowworms during a caves tour.
After you emerge from this underground marvel, re-board the coach for a boxed lunch served while you are driven east to Rotorua. Tour the geothermal and cultural wonders at Te Puia, including Pōhutu Geyser, the National Māori Arts School, geothermal craters, and even the chance to see a kiwi bird in a special viewing house.
Later, discover New Zealand’s Māori heritage during a cultural evening including a traditional Māori hangi—a feast of meat and vegetables cooked in an earth oven—before retiring at your hotel for the night.
Overnight: Standard or superior hotel accommodation in Rotorua.
Day 2: Rotorua–Hobbiton–Auckland (B). After breakfast, take a scenic coach drive across the Kaimai Range to a farm near Matamata. Here, you’ll explore the fairytale landscape of the Shire featured in "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" movies. During your Hobbiton™ Movie Set tour, stop for photo ops in front of Bilbo Baggins’ house and other hobbit holes, and visit the Green Dragon Inn.
Your tour concludes in the early evening, with a drop-off back in Auckland.
After you emerge from this underground marvel, re-board the coach for a boxed lunch served while you are driven east to Rotorua. Tour the geothermal and cultural wonders at Te Puia, including Pōhutu Geyser, the National Māori Arts School, geothermal craters, and even the chance to see a kiwi bird in a special viewing house.
Later, discover New Zealand’s Māori heritage during a cultural evening including a traditional Māori hangi—a feast of meat and vegetables cooked in an earth oven—before retiring at your hotel for the night.
Overnight: Standard or superior hotel accommodation in Rotorua.
Day 2: Rotorua–Hobbiton–Auckland (B). After breakfast, take a scenic coach drive across the Kaimai Range to a farm near Matamata. Here, you’ll explore the fairytale landscape of the Shire featured in "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" movies. During your Hobbiton™ Movie Set tour, stop for photo ops in front of Bilbo Baggins’ house and other hobbit holes, and visit the Green Dragon Inn.
Your tour concludes in the early evening, with a drop-off back in Auckland.
Day 1
Depart Auckland for Waitomo and Rotorua followed by a Maori Cultural Experience
3 Stops
1
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Te Puia
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
3
Rotorua
12 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Accommodation: You have the choice of a 3-star or 4-star hotel
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Rotorua to Auckland including Hobbiton Movie Set Tour , either morning or afternoon departure.
2 Stops
1
Hobbiton Movie Set
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Auckland
4 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 3 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 57 reviews
Donna_H, Jul 2025
Really worth staying overnight in Rotorua after a full day and the evening dinner Māori experience! Hobbiton on day two with an included lunch on site was a thrill.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you enjoyed your time in Rotorua and the Māori cultural evening, as well as the magic of Hobbiton and its delicious lunch. It’s wonderful to hear your trip was such a thrill!
Mark_K, Feb 2020
Our bus drivers were very entertaining and informative. The tours were arranged well, and all the sites were worth visiting. The multiple changes from one bus to another between tours was a little unexpected, but for the most part the drivers did well explaining where to be for the next pickup. Had a great time and enjoyed it all.
Victoria_H, Jul 2019
This tour was fantastic in the sights it went to and in its guides. It is a very full on tour with very little down time except for waiting for fellow travellers who do not respect that the tour has to be at specific places at specific times. However the drivers did do all they could to move those guests along. The other issues were the last bus driver who returned us to Auckland and seemed very tired and the uncertainty of knowing what was happening next as different tours had combined and we all had different itineraries. But all iin all an excellent value for money tour. Thank you
Michelle F, Apr 2018
Overall the trip was excellent. We saw a lot, learned a lot and had a great two days! My only comment is about the buses- going to the dinner and the return to Auckland part. Going back to Auckland- we were left at a bus station for about an hour and a half waiting for the bus after leaving MataMata. We had no idea what was going on. Going to the dinner we had one time in our itinerary for the bus - but when we went to get on they said we were on the next one, they didnt have our names. We were grateful for the extra time since the day was rushed and we wanted to change but it was a bit of a confused scramble. There are many drivers and routes and tours taking place on any given day so we were always questioning a little what bus we were supposed to be on. Also- the buses at the end of the day were very crowded that we had to sit at opposite ends of the bus if we wanted seats.
Viney K, Jan 2018
Excellent tour -fully recommend to future travelers!
Laura T, Oct 2017
One of the best organized trips I've ever been on! Everything ran on time, and when my husband and I were super impressed by how well we were looked after by everyone. Even when there was a change in schedule the staff organized it all in the background so my husband and I didn't have to worry about anything. The staff went above and beyond to make sure that we were looked after.
My greatest fear on these types of trips is that I'll be forgotten by the tour bus, but this never happened. I easily could have spent more time in each of the places we stopped, but I was okay with this quicker pace as it meant we got to see more of the highlights.
The only complaint my husband and I had was on the trip home we were picked up at a later spot than the majority of the tour group those who did the one day trip instead of the two day trip and remained on the same bus all day, and by that point the other guests had spread out across all the remaining seats, meaning that we were forced to sit apart. On the way out from Auckland, our bus driver had asked single travelers to sit together to allow couples and families seats together, but the bus driver on the way home not only refused, but started yelling at the person who asked her to do this, which put guests in the awkward spot of either having to ask other guests to move to a different seat, or splitting up for the drive home. A small annoyance amidst a wonderful trip, and I felt that particular bus driver was the exception rather than the rule. I would definitely book a tour with Viator again. I was very impressed with how well organized everything was.
Allen R, Oct 2017
Fabulous trip, pity it was a bit rushed in Rotarua. Hobbiton out of this world. Fabulous guide called Sarah
Andra_M, Sep 2017
The tour was really nice and everything work on time. The places are unbearable! Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton movie set were the best!
alyssa h, Sep 2017
Amazing tour!! I loved every part of this trip. Everything was planned out very well and the staff were awesome! There are other places they take you during your tour which was an added bonus for me. Highly recommend this trip!
salvam, Aug 2017
My son and I really enjoyed this tour package. Cost of tour based on time spent in each site, qualities of tour guides who went with us and the number of places visited is so worth it! A real value for money.
Heather F, Jul 2017
We really enjoyed this 2 day tour to see so many sights in New Zealand. We only had a few days in New Zealand, so this was the best way to make the most of our time there. Everything was well coordinated for us in our itinerary and we were surprised that this tour is really a compilation of several separate tours/experiences with different guides/buses/groups of people on each part of the trip. I was glad that I had printed out the overall itinerary ahead of time so we had a good idea about the sequence of events and timing. At one point we called the Great Sights phone number with a question about a bus pick-up time and they were very helpful and responsive.
Each part of this tour was incredible! The pick-up and drop off in Auckland was easy and the coach bus was comfortable with gorgeous views of the rolling green hills dotted with sheep and cattle. On the first busride we also enjoyed the informative commentary about New Zealand. The glowworm cave tour was fascinating and definitely a unique experience. The duck boat tour was a fun way to view the lakes of Rotorua. That evening we really enjoyed visiting the Tamaki Maori Village where we learned a lot about Maori culture, had a fantastic buffet meal lots of meats, seafood, veggies, desserts, and loved the performances as well as the very entertaining busdriver Mark! Mark had everyone on the bus laughing and singing along with him to all kinds of songs. He was like a stand-up comic and so talented at impressions/accents! That night our accommodations were great enjoyed the heated pool and the next day we had another busy day full of interesting and fun experiences. The tour of the geothermal lands of Te Puia geysers, hot springs, mudpools, the sheep demonstration at the Agrodome, the tour of the bird sanctuary at Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and the tour of Hobbiton were all wonderful. We highly recommend this tour!
Sandra B, Jul 2017
Best money I ever spent...INCREDIBLE!...I saw so many things, the bus drivers and tour guides were so knowledgeable. Viator looked after me every step of the way making sure that you were on the right bus for each event. A very smoothly run operation and the sites..Well, SO Unbelievably amazing..Love Love Loved it. My only recommendation is that before you book this tour, make sure that they pick you up at your hotel OR as I did stay at a hotel in downtown Auckland near the bus depot. So many wonderful memories to add to my life line..btw, I am a 65female solo traveller...Let Viator take care of you and your family, they are fabulous. My photos are from my iPhone, but I will try to add my camera ones later, if allowed
E M w, Jun 2017
So glad we did this tour,knowledgeable guides on all parts of the tour,never felt lost or confused with changing coaches or visiting places . If you are staying in Auckland and want to do thes tours I would suggest doing the 2 days as there is a lot of travelling and at least you have time to rest overnight. Spectacular sights in the glow worm cave and Hobbiton is everything you imagine.Rotorua is an amazing place.Would highly recommend.
Tianyi L, May 2017
It has been a great time for my mum and I. Absolutely loved the Hobbiton Movie set. The transportation was good, on time, and well arranged, very organised.
Kevin F, Feb 2017
Had an awesome time. Organized and enjoyed every minute. Highly recommended!
Patricia A, Feb 2017
This would have been a great tour as far as what you see and do but the whole first day was horrible due to our bus driver - Ben. He was mean from the start of getting on the bus then he had a melt down and ruined the cave trip for all. Good sights on tour.
Jill P, Dec 2016
Really enjoyable and fun tour. There was always something interesting to do! Well organised!
Jordan P, Aug 2016
WOW. That's all I can say. I initially looked into booking a few of these tours by themselves and figuring out our own transportation, but honestly, it's INCREDIBLE how they strung this all together perfectly and efficiently. Book this if you want to see it all without wasting time!
Not once did I feel like I may have been stranded anywhere, forgotten about among buses of tour groups, or that I would have gotten on the wrong bus which were my main fears. All of the drivers were insightful, funny, and caring. Food provided on the bus was tasty. All of the tours were FANTASTIC. When we got back to our accommodations I had felt as though I had seen the whole northern island! In fact when we told people what we had already seen and done within 3 days of being there they were stunned.
ONLY thing I would say is at the VERY end, you are not dropped off at your hotel. You are dropped off at the Skybus main hub in the middle of Auckland city. We were lucky and had a hotel only a block away, but for those who are not staying as close, be sure you have a for the cab company. It was dark when we got back so if we would have had to walk farther it would have been a problem.
Bethanie_M, Jul 2016
If you have only a short amount of time, this tour is a great way to see a whole lot of fantastic sites outside of Auckland. Every item on this tour was completely worth seeing, but the highlights for me were the glow-worm caves, the duck boat tour, Te Puia geothermal area, and definitely the Hobbiton movie set. This tour is a fantastic value, especially considering almost every attraction you visit will include a private guide. Throw in the transportation, meals, and overnight accommodations and you've got a winner. Definitely recommend this tour.
Be aware that this tour is actually a variety of different small tours, with different guests, drivers, and even buses, all pieced together into one itinerary - but it was all coordinated very well. I tip my hat to the agency who coordinated my itinerary, Discover New Zealand, as the information they gave me was very detailed and accurate and it worked well.
Amanda A, Jul 2016
Best trip of my life, so glad I found this tour amongst the others.
Alfred P, Jun 2016
The tour was exceptional - my wife and I had a great time! The only recommendation we would make is that you give us an overall schedule of pickup and drop off times and locations. We never were left anywhere but we often didn't know specifics on the sequence logistics.
Jennifer B, Mar 2016
Rainbow Springs was underwhelming. Our guide was nice and knowledgeable, but went too fast and didn't show us half the attraction and what it had to offer. The duck boat tour was great, but the exhaust coming from the vehicle made me nauseated and gave me a headache. Hobbiton was the best part, by far. I didn't want to leave!
Hideharu E, Mar 2016
Loved every moment. A great tour even if you are not a fan. So informative, loved the Bus Tour driver commentary. KIA ORA!!!
John B, Mar 2016
I realize these are tours and they are trying to get as many people through as possible. I gave it a 4 because it was an amazing experience, with 1499 strangers.
Kerrie, Mar 2016
Great for those with limited time in the North Island, packs a lot of activities in a short amount of time. However, I felt a little rushed - not much time to buy souvenirs. Couldn't fully enjoy some of the activities as much as if I'd driven myself and organised my own similar trip over an extra day. Stay an extra day in Rotorua if possible to enjoy more.
Nice to not have to worry about getting lost or driving in a foreign country. They don't pick up at the hotel we stayed in prior to tour Ascotia off Queen, Auckland, but picked us up in the next street instead at 6:45am so make sure you organise brekky by then. Itinerary is delivered to hotel the night prior email, and each day you have the same bus for about 6 hours of activities/travel, toilet onboard tiny but functional then local transfers by each attraction. Transfers were well organised, friendly drivers, tours ran smoothly and on time, except for the last bus from Matamata to Auckland about 1/2 hour later. They forgot to put us on the list for transfer from auckland bus depot to near our hotel, but driver took us anyway.
The bus boxed lunch was filling - chicken/cheese/jam/lettuce roll, apple, small juice box, blueberry muffin and a cheesecake tub. After the caves and arriving in Rotorua, the free time to explore Rotorua described was only an hour and a half to check in, and not enough time to do anything else but walk to the water and have a snack/photos, seeing as you have to be prepared to be picked up for your next activities 15 minutes before the stated pick up time.
All activities are quality attractions. Liked the Mitai Maori Village concert/dinner better than I thought I would, nice dinner. Hobbiton tour lasts only 1.5 hours for a group of 30 to all have pics and a free drink in the green dragon, no time to appreciate the detail. Couldn't see the geyser erupt as we had only an hour at Te Puia, just missed it.
Ibis hotel stay average, view of carpark, clean and tidy, hot brekky included.
Ms D M J, Mar 2016
Overall, the trip was a very good experience. There was a lot packed into the two days. I enjoyed all the trip activities - it was good to go along and try everything, and I rather liked swapping around buses. There were lots of friendly people on the buses including the drivers and the same people would appear at different times and places, like old friends! If you don't have a lot of time, or your own transport, this is a great way to get around. The caves were rather crowded at first, but I was surprised at the extent of the caves - and the quiet boat ride was lovely. Rotorua was fascinating. The Duck Tour was fun and I got to see the lakes around Rotorua. The Maori village was a good combination of factual information and fun, and our driver to and fro the village had a fine singing voice. He also did the actions to the songs - I've never been on a coach before where I've cried with laughter! If you're a Hobbit/Lord of the Rings fan, you'll adore Hobbiton. It was amazing! My sister is totally jealous.
deannakempen, Jan 2016
The tour was outstanding. It is a wonderful way to see and experience New Zealand in a short amount of time.
deannakempen, Nov 2015
This was a truly great experience. The guides were knowledgeable and the experience was wonderful. Any first timer should do this to get an overview. I am already planning an other trip.
Lois F, Oct 2015
This was one of the best tours I have been on. This is a 'not to be missed' tour of anyone visiting the NZ north island. If it can be worked into your schedule, spend additional time in Rotorua.
Ricardo S, Oct 2015
Amazing experience. Recommended for anyone visiting NZ.
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