Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Tour with Lunch from Auckland
Recommended by 97% of travelers
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Auckland, New Zealand
- 12 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Enjoy two North Island highlights on an easy day trip from Auckland. Avoid the hassle of self driving or taking public transport when you join a fully guided small-group tour. Tickets to the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves are included. Participate in guided tours of both attractions and enjoy a sit-down lunch with free choice from a set menu.
- Complimentary hotel pickup from select Auckland CBD locations
- Snacks and bottled water provided
- See and do a lot in a full 12-hour day
- Ideal for travelers short on time in Auckland
What's Included
- Fully Guided Small Group Tour with local driver/guide
- Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Caves Tour
- Complimentary Auckland CBD Hotel pickup (select locations only)
- LunchSit down - free choice from a set menu
- Water & snacks provided
- Gratuities
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Children below 8 are required to travel in a booster/safety seat. Hire for NZ$20 or provide your own
- Due to the delicate ecosystem within the Waitomo Caves, photography is not permitted inside.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
*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.
Operating hours.6:00 am
Itinerary
Auckland Central (Pass By)
Waikato Region (Pass By)
1
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Otorohanga
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Hobbiton Movie Set
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
4
Karapiro
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
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.
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (2)
Q:During the Waitomo Glowworm Caves portion of the tour; how much is time is spent on the boat?
A:The Waitomo Glowworm caves tour takes about 45 - 50 minutes in total. You spend about 15 minutes on the boat and the rest of the time is spent on a walking tour through the caves.
Jun 2023
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 29 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Jeannette_S, Apr 2025
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.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
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 🚌🥝
Joyce_Y, Mar 2025
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.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
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 🚌🥝
MarjaLiisa_S, Mar 2025
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.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
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 🚌🥝
Jannmerchant, Jan 2025
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.
Binita_P, Dec 2024
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.
JamesCC_L, Nov 2024
Good experience to know further about the Hobitton village.
Amazing experience to see the glow worms in the cave.
Debbie_M, Apr 2024
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.
Nicole_S, Mar 2024
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
Morgan_K, Nov 2023
It was a good day out. Hobbitown as expected. The caves were a little disappointing as they’re not as glowy as you think.
susan_O, Oct 2023
Absolutely enjoyed Hobbiton. Guide Danilo was knowledgable and entertaining. I didnt know what to expect but was very pleased with the walking tour.
I was really looking forward to the Waitomo Caves but was very disappointed. Guide was informative but the underground boat ride to see the glowworms wasn’t a boat ride. We flowed for a short while, drifted back, got pulled forward and then flowed back to the entry point. Glowworms were difficult to see due to the woven holes of light overhead. A big thing was made about needing silence but other groups could be heard thruout the tour. Definitely what i expected.
My original order said that a kiwi style lunch was included. But we had to pay for our own. I was disappointed in that.
Driver was hard to hear - not sure if it was because we were in the back of the bus. On the plus side, he drove us safely to & from our destination.
Rick_T, Jan 2023
John our guide was the best - friendly, engaging, informative, helpful and very knowledgeable. Went to the extra effort of ensuring everyone got individual and group photos. Hobbiton was much more engaging than we thought & glow worm caves were fascinating. Very highly recommended.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thanks for joining us! We're happy to hear that you enjoyed your tour with John and hope to see you again in the future.
Linda_L, Sep 2022
Great for fans of LOTR but the real gem is the Wai-tomo cave tour. The tours were shorter than i’d like but there’s only so much time as it was a long ride from Auckland.
Thankfully, our tour guide/driver Jill was highly experienced on the road and got us through safely and in time for the tours despite the heavy downpour.
From $226.51
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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