Auckland: Hobbiton & Blue Springs Private Day Trip

Two North Island landmarks in one day, no other tourists in your van

You're picked up from your Auckland hotel and driven south to the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, where you walk the 1,250-acre farm and see the actual film sets from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. After that, you head to Blue Springs near Putāruru to walk the Te Waihou Walkway and see the impossibly clear water. The van is private, the schedule is flexible, and everything except entry to Hobbiton is included (hotel pickup, transport, water, and snacks), so you just show up and go.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private Hobbiton and Blue Springs tour

• Pick up from accommodation
• Travel south from Auckland
• Arrive at Hobbiton Movie Set
• Guided tour of Hobbiton farm
• Explore Hobbiton Movie Set
• Visit Blue Springs and walkway
• Return to Auckland

The experience

The sheep farm gate swings open and you're driving straight into the 1,250 acres where they filmed The Lord of the Rings. Your private guide walks you through the rolling paddocks toward the Hobbit holes (the real sets, not a replica), and the whole thing lands differently when it's just your group moving through it. The drive from Auckland takes about two hours south, and somewhere around the Waikato Region the landscape starts to shift, flatter and greener, until you're standing in front of something that was built to look like it had always been there.

After Hobbiton, you head to Blue Springs in Putāruru, about an hour further on. The water there is so clear it looks unreal. The kind of blue that makes you stop and stare before you even realize you're doing it. There's a walking track, the Te Waihou Walkway, that takes you through native bush and wetlands down to the spring itself. It's not a hard walk, just a quiet one, and you move at whatever pace works for your group. This is where New Zealand bottles its water, so the place matters to the country in a way that's easy to feel when you're standing there.

The whole day runs on your schedule. Your private vehicle is air-conditioned, there's wifi if you need it, and they pack bottled water and snacks so you're not hunting for lunch between stops. Hotel pickup and drop-off in inner-city Auckland means you don't navigate the drive yourself. The minimum is two people, so it works for couples, small families, or a group of friends who want to move together without waiting for a bus or sitting with strangers. You can flex the timing if something takes longer than expected. Just tell your guide.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Auckland hotel.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in inner-city Auckland.
• bottled water.
• snacks.
• wifi.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• guided access to the Hobbiton Movie Set farm and grounds.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Youth (10 to 16 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Korean

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Oh!HAPPYTour

Is this one for you?Right for couples, small families, or groups of friends who want to see both Hobbiton and Blue Springs in one day without arranging their own transport or timing. The private van means you move at your pace and skip the tour-bus schedule.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

13 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Korean.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 16 years); Child (5 to 9 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

How long is the drive from Auckland to Hobbiton?

About two hours south toward Matamata, with views of the Waikato Region along the way.

What's included in the tour?

Private transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off in inner-city Auckland, bottled water, snacks, wifi, and an air-conditioned vehicle. Entry to Hobbiton is not included.

Can I book this if it's just two of us?

Yes, two people is the minimum required for the tour.

Is the Blue Springs walk difficult?

No, the Te Waihou Walkway is a scenic walk through native bush and wetlands suitable for all fitness levels.

Can I change the schedule on the day?

Yes, the tour can be flexed based on your needs. Contact the operator to discuss.

Do I need to be a Lord of the Rings fan to enjoy Hobbiton?

No, the tour works whether you're a fan or not. It's presented as a film production site and a working farm with a fascinating history.