Hobbiton & Rotorua including Waiotapu Day Tour from Auckland
Recommended by 98% of travelers
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Auckland, New Zealand
- 13 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Visit two of the North Island’s most popular attractions in one day on this small-group tour from Auckland. First, hear behind-the-scenes stories from the making of "The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” films on a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. In the afternoon, continue to Rotorua to explore the city and visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland where highlights include geysers, volcanic mud pools, and geothermal craters.
- Guided Hobbiton tour including a drink at The Green Dragon Inn
- Spectacular photo opportunities at Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland
- Hassle-free hotel pickup and round-trip transport from Auckland
- Enjoy the perk of having snacks and bottled water included
What's Included
- Small Group and Fully Guided Tour
- Hobbiton Movie Tour & Waiotapu Entry
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Lunch (opportunities to purchase at own expense)
- Restroom on board
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
- Pickup offered from listed locations only. If your location isn’t listed, please choose your nearest available option & meet us there. - If your accommodation is yet to be confirmed, we ask that you select SkyCity Hotel for now. You can update this later! - Pick-ups begin up to 20 minutes before the tour departure time. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside by this 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. To ensure a timely departure, we recommend being ready 5–10 minutes early, as we are unable to wait for late guests. - You will receive an email with important pickup information the day prior, please read this information.
Operating hours.6:00 am
Itinerary
Auckland Central (Pass By)
Waikato Region (Pass By)
1
Hobbiton Movie Set
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Tirau (Pass By)
2
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Rotorua (Pass By)
3
Auckland
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- 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.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. You can provide your own or one can be provided for $20 NZD (with 24 hours notice).
- The legal drinking age is 18, and ID may be required
- Not recommended for travelers with severe mobility difficulties - A moderate amount of walking is involved.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 479 reviews
Vicki_W, Apr 2026
This was a long drive but all worth it. Grant our driver was very informative. We had some few stops to stretch and got a bite to eat.
The Hobbiton was really good. My husband enjoyed it a lot. Got there early so kind of good missed all the crowds. Got pretty busy after we left. That was a plus. Wai-o tapu was really
Nice which we were on our own and had to meet up later. Nice views kind of reminded us when we went to Yellowstone national park.
We took this tour to venture out which we enjoyed a lot. Glad we did. Thank you Grant for an enjoyable time.
Shahin_M, Apr 2026
This was a 13 hour tour that started very early in the morning. If you are the last pickup expect for the tour guide to be 10-15 minutes late. This is the 2nd tour we've done with Cheeky Kiwi and in both cases we were the last or second to last pick-up and the bus was late 10-15 minutes each time. Our tour guide Liam was very accommodating and pleasant. We did have one family of 8 or so with an infant and the infant decided to cry for an hour non-stop. I'm not sure what Cheeky Travel knew about this family travelling with an infant, but if they were aware, shame on them for not setting up a private tour for them and not expose us to an hour of a screaming baby. As for the tour itself, the Hobbiton portion was fantastic and as advertised. I would give that portion a 5. The Rotorua portion probably was a 3. The drive to Rotorua was long and it was very underwhelming, unless you are a diehard geothermal fan. I recommend you looking for a Hobbiton tour alone and enjoy the rest of your afternoon in Auckland.
Chittem_V, Mar 2026
Ale was a friendly tour guide and clicked some wonderful photos of us. The Hobbiton tour was worth it. It would have been nice if we had an extra thirty minutes to complete all the three walks in Waiotapu.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia ora!
Great to hear you enjoyed the day and came away with some great photos as well! Hobbiton really is a highlight, and it’s nice to know that delivered.
Thanks also for your feedback on the time at Wai-O-Tapu—that’s helpful to hear. It’s a bit of a balance fitting everything into the day, but we appreciate the insight.
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
William_B, Mar 2026
Hobbiton was so beautiful! Learning about "forced perspective" gave a glimpse into movie magic.
Rotorura was such a contrast as to be shocking
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia ora!
You’ve summed it up nicely. Hobbiton really is beautiful, and those little details like forced perspective give a great peek behind the scenes of the movie magic. Rotorua is definitely a contrast after that, but the geothermal landscape makes it a pretty unforgettable part of the journey too.
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Tammy_C, Mar 2026
Hobbiton is a must see and so much fun!! Trent was a great driver and guide. The stop at wai-o-taup was reminiscent of Yellowstone.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia ora!
It’s great to hear you had such a fun day out. Hobbiton really is a must-see, and Wai-O-Tapu definitely has that dramatic geothermal feel that reminds some people of Yellowstone. Lovely to hear Trent helped make the journey enjoyable as well.
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Leo_S, Mar 2026
Understand the itinerary and know what you are getting into. These sites are a long way from Auckland, so be prepared for a long day on the bus with short stops at the sites (the Hobbiton tour part is only 2 hours). I was told by another on the tour that the Hobbits are very proud of and competitive about their gardens, and it shows here because the plants are amazing, the pumpkins and gourds are gigantic.
The sulphur smell at the volcanic pools is quite strong. There are 3 walks to choose from, ranging from 30 to 90 minutes. We did the middle one, which was 50 minutes and sufficient to get a real take of the place.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia ora!
It’s great to hear you enjoyed the Hobbiton gardens—they really are something special, and the care put into every detail, from the flowers to the pumpkins, always impresses visitors. Sounds like you made the most of Wai-O-Tapu too, and chose a walk that gave a solid experience of the geothermal area. Long days are definitely worth it for all the unique sights along the way!
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Bonnie_M, Mar 2026
WOW! What a great experience! The entire tour ran so smoothly. We were picked up our location we chose from the list. Our guide, Hanoz, was great he was patient and knowledgeable. And he was a great driver as well. The group was always on time. Hobbiton was awesome!! There is some hilly walking there. The guides there so great as well. We stopped at the thermal springs and how gorgeous!! I'm so glad we did this tour. I would highly recommend the entire thing with Cheeky Kiwi.
The time between when we got to Hobbiton and when the tour started was about 30 minutes and that was the time to get a few Hobbiton pictures as well as visit the gift shop. It felt a little rushed. I understand why we did it that way though.
We did a very short stop, 10 minutes in the corregated steel town and an additional stop, 20 minutes, for ice cream. That was cool. It was perfect for what we needed as we only had 1 full day in New Zealand
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia ora!
So glad to hear your full-day tour delivered such a great experience! Hanoz will be happy to know his patience, knowledge, and driving made the day run smoothly. It’s great that you enjoyed Hobbiton, the thermal springs, and even the ice cream stop. We appreciate your note about the timing at Hobbiton—it’s a tricky balance, but it’s good to hear it still worked for your day.
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Haylee, Mar 2026
We had an absolutely fantastic day exploring Hobbiton and Rotorua with Simon as our tour guide! From the moment the tour started, Simon’s friendly personality, deep knowledge, and great sense of humor made the entire experience unforgettable.
Simon went above and beyond to make sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying the journey. On the way to Hobbiton, he shared fascinating stories about the filming of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, along with interesting facts about the region. His passion for New Zealand and its culture really shone through.
What really stood out was Simon’s attention to detail and genuine care for the group. He kept everything running smoothly while still making the day feel relaxed and fun.
If you’re lucky enough to have Simon as your guide, you’re in for a truly memorable experience. Highly recommended — this tour was one of the highlights of our trip!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia ora!
It’s fantastic to hear that Simon helped make your day exploring Hobbiton and Rotorua so memorable! His knowledge, humour, and genuine care really do make a big difference, and it’s great to hear the balance of smooth logistics and relaxed fun came through. Hobbiton and the region really shine with the right guide, and it sounds like you had the perfect mix.
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Cheryl_C, Mar 2026
If you are A LOTR FAN or a Hobbitt fan this tour is amazing!!!! The guides were knowledgable and so much fun.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia ora!
Totally agree, Hobbiton is a must for any LOTR or Hobbit fan! We’re glad the guides made the day fun and brought all those little details to life.
Thanks for sharing your excitement, and we’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in Aotearoa.
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Natalia_M, Feb 2026
The tour was nice, it is great if you are in Auckland without a car and wish to see Hobbiton and the Wai-O-tapu geothermal site. Our guide Dave was really nice and friendly!
Just keep in mind that there is a lot of driving. A lot. Except for the 2 hours in Hobbiton and 1.5 hours in Wai-O-tapu, the rest of the time is spent on the road. Thanks to the breaks it is not that bad, but it is just good to know before booking.
In my opinion the tour would benefit from at least 30 minutes more in Wai-o-tapu, so all who want to get to do all 3 trails and grab lunch. Arriving back home 30 minutes later would not make much of a difference on a whole day tour, but when making all this way it would be nice to be able to go through all the trails and maybe the hot pools.
Thanks again to Cheeky Kiwi and cheeky Dave for the memorable day :)
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Kia ora,
Thanks for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. It’s great to hear you enjoyed seeing Hobbiton and Wai-O-Tapu, and that Dave made the day enjoyable with his friendly approach.
We really appreciate your feedback about Wai-O-Tapu and the time spent driving. We always try to balance sightseeing with travel time and breaks, but suggestions like yours help us think about ways to make the day even better for future guests.
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Agata_B, Jan 2026
It was very nice trip. Bus was very comfy, guide friendly, helpful and talkative. Places that we have visited (so Hobbiton and Rotorua) worth seeing.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Kia ora!
So glad to hear you had a pleasant trip and enjoyed both Hobbiton and Rotorua. A comfy ride and a friendly, chatty guide can make a big difference on a full day like that, and it sounds like everything came together nicely for you.
Thanks for sharing your experience and for choosing Cheeky Kiwi. We’d love to welcome you back for another adventure in Aotearoa.
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Janet_P, Jan 2026
The tour operator. Cheeky Kiwi was wonderful. Their office staff were very patient answering every question I had. The tour guide/bus driver, Grant was wonderful. He gave us an amazing experience with his commentary interspersed with jokes and he kept us entertained the whole way. He was very professional and courteous. All in all, we had an amazing day and I would have no hesitation in recommending this tour to anyone.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Kia ora!
So glad to hear you had such an amazing day with Grant at the helm. He really does have a way of balancing informative commentary with a bit of humour to keep the journey fun and engaging. It’s also great to hear our office team could help make everything smooth from the start.
Thanks for sharing your experience and for recommending Cheeky Kiwi. We’d love to welcome you back for another adventure in Aotearoa.
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Richard_d, Jan 2026
9 to 11:30 am at Hobbiton, afternoon at the hot vents.
It's a lot of time in the coach.
If I did it again, I would skip the afternoon part.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Kia ora Richard,
Thanks for the honest feedback. It’s true that combining Hobbiton with Wai-O-Tapu makes for a long day on the coach, and we appreciate hearing how it felt from your perspective. Some guests love the full day, while others prefer a shorter Hobbiton-focused trip—your note will help others decide which option suits them best.
Thanks for travelling with Cheeky Kiwi, and we’d love to welcome you back for another adventure, maybe a shorter one next time!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Ashley_B, Jan 2026
Our tour guide and driver had great energy and were super thoughtful, and kept us on time. Also, a great sense of humor. Our time in Hobbiton was super magical, and our teenagers loved it! A definitely recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Kia ora!
Sounds like a pretty ideal Hobbiton day, sunshine, good energy, and a few laughs along the way. Keeping things running on time while still making it fun is always the goal, and it’s especially great to hear your teenagers loved it too. Hobbiton has a way of winning people over, and a positive group on a sunny day makes the experience even more memorable.
We’d love to welcome you back for another adventure in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Sharlene_M, Jan 2026
This was an amazing tour for both activities. Got to do 2 things in one day. And our tour guide Jeoff went above and beyond guiding us and giving us little facts throughout the drive about the city, and all the places he took us.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Kia ora,
Sounds like you made the most of a big day out, two iconic experiences rolled into one is always a win. Hobbiton and Rotorua together really give you a great snapshot of the North Island, and it’s nice to hear the drive time was filled with those extra stories and local insights along the way. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Jeoff.
We’d love to welcome you back for another adventure in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Anthony_H, Dec 2025
Salute to the driver and tour operator (Alexandro) - friendly, funny, courteous and helpful ! Felt very comfortable the whole trip and had chance to acquaintance with others during trip to Hobbitton
- people so friendly and willing to help taking pictures ! 👍 enjoyed very much whole trip and appreciated very much dropping me off at my hotel in Rotorua after the tour
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Kia ora Anthony,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It’s great to hear you felt comfortable and well looked after throughout the day, and that the group vibe made the journey to Hobbiton even more enjoyable. Those shared photo moments with fellow travellers are often some of the best parts of the day.
We really appreciate the recommendation and are glad the drop-off in Rotorua helped wrap things up smoothly. Hopefully it’s the first of a few adventures with us around Aotearoa.
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
HockChuanAlan_T, Dec 2025
We like to visit to Hobbiton. It is an experience that brings the movie into reality. We felt like we were part of the characters in Shire. The place was well kept and blended into the NZ environment well. My daughter after visiting Hobbiton watched the Fellowship of the Ring again on the plane and were emotional.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Kia ora,
That’s such a lovely outcome from the day. Hobbiton really does have a way of pulling you into the story, even for people who didn’t expect to feel that connection. Hearing that your daughter went back and rewatched The Fellowship of the Ring afterwards is pretty special and exactly the kind of memory we hope families take away.
It’s also a credit to the care that goes into maintaining the set and how naturally it sits in the landscape. When everything clicks, it feels less like a movie location and more like stepping into another world.
Thanks for sharing your experience and for travelling with us. We’d love to welcome you back again someday.
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Vipin_R, Dec 2025
Amazing trip from Auckland , great experiences at Hobbiton and then Rotorua and wai o tapu . So much to see and experience first time in one's life . Memories for a lifetime .
The tour guide David was so great to travel with , very informative and cooperative
Lorrie_H, Nov 2025
It’s a great trip in a comfy van. Only light snacks are provided. If you need more be sure and grab something to eat a Hobbiton.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Kia ora Lorrie,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Glad to hear you enjoyed the trip and found the van comfortable. And yes, you’re spot on about the snacks - we provide light nibbles to keep everyone going between stops, but Hobbiton is definitely the place to grab something more substantial if you’re hungry. Their café does a pretty solid job of tempting people.
We’d love to welcome you back for another adventure whenever you’re in New Zealand again. Until then, safe travels and thanks for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Sanra_S, Nov 2025
A rainy day made brighter by our wonderful guide, Mike, a.k.a. Cheeky Rachel 😊 we felt very safe and well taken care of throughout the day. Hobbiton is amazing! You really feel like it is real and you are a part of it. Highly recommend it to everyone. If you like to explore what our magnificent earth can show us, go to Wai-O-Tapu and walk through this geo-thermal area.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Kia ora Sanra,
Such a lovely review - thank you! Even on a rainy day it sounds like you made the most of the adventure, and Mike will be pretty happy to hear his “Cheeky Rachel” alter ego brightened things up along the way. Hobbiton and Waiotapu are both incredible in totally different ways, so it’s great to know you enjoyed the magic of the movies and the wonders of nature in one day.
We’d love to welcome you back for more exploring in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
OlGA_K, Oct 2025
We had an amazing time. Super informative guide. Great conversation and amazing scenery. Highly recommend this Tour and this company. Customer service was above and beyond anything expected Simon was amazing.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Kia ora,
Thanks for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an amazing day and enjoyed the scenery, conversation, and insights from Simon. It’s wonderful to know our customer service helped make the experience even better.
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Glenda_W, Oct 2025
It was our secondtime to visit Hobbiton but first time to Wai-O-Tapu. However the visit to hobitton is still fun and amazing. We love the view, it was breathtaking and we just can’t get enough of Hobbiton. While Wai-O-Tapu was extraordinary!!! The track is non-hiker friendly. We love every moment of it. Thank you to our wonderful friendly driver, Michael especially for recommending us the lunch bakery. It was superb!!!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Kia ora,
Thanks for the fantastic review! Sounds like it was a great mix of familiar magic and new discoveries — Hobbiton never loses its charm, does it? Waiotapu is such a unique place too, with those incredible colours and easy tracks that make it enjoyable for everyone. We’re glad Michael helped make the day even better (and that his lunch tip hit the spot!).
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Mary_B, Oct 2025
Both experiences were fantastic. Al our guide was brilliant and we learnt a lot about living in New Zealand
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Kia ora Mary,
So glad to hear you had such a great day out exploring Hobbiton and Rotorua! They’re both incredible places to experience in one trip, and Al’s got a real gift for bringing New Zealand’s stories and lifestyle to life along the way.
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Megan_C, Oct 2025
Well organised and prepared. It’s a long day but worth the experience. The guides were amazing in all locations.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Kia ora Megan,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. We're glad you found the day well organised and worth the journey. It is definitely a full day out, but with stunning scenery and incredible stops like Hobbiton, Rotorua, and Waiotapu, there’s plenty to make it memorable. Great to hear our guides helped make the experience even better too.
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Mark_M, Oct 2025
Round trip tour. Total: 13 hours.
I really thought that Alessandro's driving, audio color commentary and helpfulness were the best. Thank you! Hobbiton was pure delight, so very fun to see and hear about. Such a pleasant area. First week of October seems to be a good time for low crowds, I'll tell you that. The only negative is about the second attraction. Definitely fascinating but I thought the 90-minutes for a self-guided tour through sulfur springs, lakes and bubbling mud pits was not enough for me ... being a very curious fellow. I would have preferred a two-hour slot . I was definitely rushing back to get to the scheduled pickup . Also one of the big benefits was the limo-van service... you get to see the New Zealand countryside from the highway and from the country roads. Just sitting back for more than two hours each way ... taking in all the sites. In my case, during the first week of October (Springtime). There are moderate temperatures. Light jacking or sweater for example. I've never seen so many green rolling agricultural hills dotted with farm animals of all kinds. The newly blooming cherry blossoms were a nice addition. I was so glad I could sit back and just observe it all , very relaxed. It was so pretty and it was cloudy and a little rainy but it the colors were just wonderful.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Kia ora Mark,
What an awesome write-up of your day — thank you for taking the time to share it! We’re thrilled to hear Alessandro helped make the journey so smooth with his driving, commentary and care. Hobbiton really is a delight to explore, and you’ve painted such a beautiful picture of springtime in New Zealand with the blossoms, green rolling hills and farmland.
We appreciate your thoughts on Waiotapu too - it’s definitely a fascinating place with so much to take in, and we understand the feeling of wanting more time to linger at each geothermal wonder. Your feedback helps us as we continue to refine our itineraries.
We’d love to welcome you back again one day for more exploring at a different pace. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Nicole_M, Sep 2025
We enjoyed this tour a lot. Hobbiton was great and Waiotapu is very cool to see. Our tour guide, Cheeky Michael, was an excellent guide and we enjoyed hearing the history of the area.
It's definitely a long day but there are good break points along the way to take rest stops.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Kia ora Nicole!
We’re so glad you enjoyed your day out with us! Hobbiton really is a treat, and Wai-O-Tapu’s colours are unlike anything else - such a cool contrast on the same tour. Lovely to hear Cheeky Michael’s stories and history added to the journey, and that the break points made the long day comfortable. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
David_R, Sep 2025
I didn't know we as 3 adults would like the Hobiton experience as much as we did. The countryside through the entire trip was beautiful. Our hike around Rotorua made it a day to remeber.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Kia ora David!
So glad to hear Hobbiton surprised you - it really does have a way of delighting even those who aren’t sure what to expect! The Rotorua hike and countryside scenery make the day extra special, and it’s wonderful to know you made lasting memories along the way.
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
Sue_T, Sep 2025
Our tour to Hobbiton and Rotorua was very enjoyable. The Hobbiton movie set was absolutely breath taking. It’s even prettier than the movie. Rotorua was also amazing with Mud pool and the very green Champagne lake. Our driver, Hanoz was very knowledgeable, well spoken, and paid attention to everyone on the shuttle. Highly recommended for once in a life time experience!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Kia ora Sue!
What a fantastic way to describe the day -Hobbiton really is even more magical in person, and Wai-O-Tapu’s colours never fail to amaze. We’re so pleased you enjoyed both the movie magic and the geothermal wonders. Lovely to hear Hanoz made the journey so enjoyable with his knowledge and care for everyone on board. Thank you for the high recommendation — experiences like this truly are once in a lifetime!
We’d love to welcome you back for more adventures in the future. Until then, safe travels and thanks again for choosing Cheeky Kiwi!
Ngā mihi,
Cheeky Kiwi Travel 🚌🥝
CLIFFORD_S, Sep 2025
Got an early start pick up at the hotel in Auckland with Mike, who was a wonderful driver. Along the way throughout the trip, he had some jokes, pointed out significant places as we were passing different towns and told us its history. He told us about the Maori tribe history, saw some totem poles along the way. Hobbiton tour was amazing, enjoyed it very much. Shout out to Elle for doing the tour there who did a wonderful job. Proceeded to Rotorua for the Thermal mudpools. These was a self guided tour. We just had to follow the clearly marked pathways. We also very much enjoyed all that we saw, including differently colored/steaming thermal mudpools. Saw a beautiful lake and a mini waterfall. After the hike we had lunch at the visitor center cafeteria which had good food there. All in all, great tour combination. Mike brought us back to our hotel safely. Highly recommend both tours (through cheeky kiwi tour). Great experience and fun tour. Did not disappoint.
tiffany_w, Sep 2025
My driver/guide Simon was fantastic. I felt safe with his driving and loved learning about various things we passed along the way to our sites. He even gave us some quite time in the morning drive for people to take a nap due to our super early pickups. The bus was really comfortable and clean. Simon even set the mood playing Lord of the Rings music as we were nearing Hobbiton!
Our tour guide in Hobbiton- John- has an obvious passion for Hobbiton and I loved hearing his facts and information. The Shire is truly wonderful to see. We were treated to a free cider or beer at the Green Dragon and even given a mug to bring home with us due to construction going on while we were there. Hobbiton has a small giftshop with very little Hobbiton movie set specific merchandise.
Next, we stopped at a geothermal mud pool and it was so cool to see the bubbles and steam in action! We then made it to Wai-O-Tapu geothermal and that was fun, though smelly, to see. If you want to buy geothermal mud products and are going to the Polynesian Spa, buy them at the spa as they had lower prices than Wai-O-Tapu. Be sure to take a photo of the park’s map at the entrance as I had to refer to it several times where signage was lacking. You have lunch in the geothermal park and I chose to skip it to maximize the short time we had in the park.
You will feel rushed in all parts of this tour other than the actual Hobbiton tour. There is nowhere to add or shave time off as Cheeky Kiwi has it down to a science, but just be aware you will have to rush through the geothermal park if you want to go all the way to the lake at the end and stops will be short on the drive there and back.
From $256.43
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Hobbiton & Rotorua including Waiotapu Day Tour from Auckland
479
13 hours
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