2-Day Hobbiton, Waitomo & Rotorua Tour from Auckland
Waitomo's glowworms and Hobbiton's 44 hobbit holes in one two-day loop
This 2-day guided tour from Auckland covers the North Island's most popular attractions: Hobbiton Movie Set, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Huka Falls and Hamilton Gardens. You travel in a small group by air-conditioned minibus with a live guide, stay one night in Rotorua, and visit each major site with entry and guided tours included. Day one takes you south through farmland to Waitomo's underground caves and boat ride among glowworms, then to Hobbiton for a two-hour set tour before arriving in Rotorua. Day two starts with the Lady Knox Geyser eruption and Wai-O-Tapu's geothermal craters, continues to Taupo and Huka Falls, and ends at Hamilton Gardens before returning to Auckland.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Explore Waitomo & Hobbiton
- Depart Auckland city
- Drive through Waikato countryside
- Coffee break in Pirongia
- Pass through Otorohanga town
- Tour Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Meet local animals outside Big Bird
- Lunch and guided tour at Hobbiton
- Drive through Tirau town
- Guided driving tour of Rotorua city
- Check in to Rotorua hotel
Day 2: Rotorua & Taupo
- Visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
- Lunch and highlights tour in Taupo
- Stop at Huka Falls
- Tour Hamilton Gardens
- Return trip to Auckland with stops
What’s included
- Accommodation for one night in Rotorua (double or twin share, with single-room upgrade available at extra cost).
- entry and guided tours at Hobbiton Movie Set, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Hamilton Gardens.
- air-conditioned minibus transport throughout.
- live English-speaking guide for the full two days.
- complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off at select Auckland locations.
- complimentary beverage at The Green Dragon Inn.
- child safety and booster seats for ages 7 and under.
Times
- Every day 06:00
Before you book
Operated by Cheeky Kiwi Travel
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The experience
Hobbiton Movie Set anchors day one. After leaving Auckland and driving through the Waikato farming region, you stop in Waitomo to board a boat into the glowworm grotto: thousands of them sparkling above you as you drift on the underground river. Then you board one of Hobbiton's big green buses for a two-hour guided tour of the 12-acre Shire set, walking past 44 hobbit holes and gardens while a professional guide shares stories from the film production. You finish with a complimentary drink at The Green Dragon Inn before heading south to Rotorua, where the guide points out the city's landmarks (Lake Rotorua, Government Gardens, the Blue Baths), and drops you at your hotel for the night.
Day two opens at Wai-O-Tapu with the Lady Knox Geyser eruption, then a full guided tour of the geothermal wonderland where you see the Champagne Lake, Devil's Bath, mud pools and colored craters. The route continues south to Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake (actually a volcanic crater), then north to Huka Falls before an afternoon at Hamilton Gardens, where 18 enclosed gardens move through different cultures and time periods. The return to Auckland includes guided stops along the way.
The minibus stays small and the guide leads the whole experience, pointing out details most travelers miss: the corrugated iron sculptures in Tirau, local history in the Waikato, the stories behind each site. Complimentary refreshments and hotel pickup and drop-off (at select locations) are built in. One night's accommodation in Rotorua is included. Solo travelers pay a $150 NZD surcharge for single-room occupancy. The tour operates in all weather, so pack layers and waterproof gear.
Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling with at least one other person and want five major North Island sites in two days rather than spreading them across a longer trip.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4).
What is the Lady Knox Geyser and when does it erupt on day two?
The Lady Knox Geyser at Wai-O-Tapu erupts daily and is the first stop on day two of the tour. The eruption happens in the morning, which is why the tour heads straight there to see it before moving on to the full guided walk through the geothermal wonderland.
How long is the guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set?
Hobbiton's guided tour runs two hours. You board one of the site's green buses and walk through the Shire set with a professional Hobbiton guide who explains the filming and the details of the 44 hobbit holes and gardens.
What happens during the Waitomo Glowworm Caves visit?
At Waitomo Caves you first walk through the ancient cave formations (stalactites, stalagmites and lime columns), then board a boat for a cruise on the underground grotto river where thousands of glowworms light up above you. The caves have been a major attraction for over 120 years.
Is food included in the tour price?
Food and drinks are not included, though you have time to buy lunch at Hobbiton and in Taupo. The tour does include a complimentary beverage at The Green Dragon Inn pub during the Hobbiton visit.
What is Hamilton Gardens and why is it on the route?
Hamilton Gardens is an afternoon stop on day two featuring 18 enclosed gardens that move through different cultures and historical periods. It is rated among the top 3 things to do in New Zealand and ranks in the top 1% of attractions globally on review sites.
Do I need to be very fit to do this tour?
The tour involves a moderate amount of walking over uneven surfaces, so you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for travelers with severe mobility difficulties or wheelchair users.
2-Day Hobbiton, Waitomo & Rotorua Tour from Auckland
2d · EN · at your hotel
from NZ$ 909 per person
≈ US$ 522 in your currency
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