Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves from Auckland: Small group tour

Hobbiton and the Glow-worm Cave in one day from Auckland

This 13-hour tour from Auckland combines the Hobbiton Movie Set with a guided tour of Waitomo Glow-worm Cave, kept to groups of no more than 12 people in a vehicle with extra legroom. You get a guided walk through the film set, a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon, buffet lunch at the Marquee, and entry to the cave with its underground glow-worm display. The operator offers one-way routing: start in Auckland and finish in Rotorua, or make it a round trip back to Auckland.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves

• Hobbiton Movie Set guided tour
• Enjoy complimentary drink at Green Dragon
• Buffet lunch at the Marquee
• Guided tour of Waitomo Glow-worm Cave

The experience

The Hobbiton Movie Set occupies a working farm in Matamata, about two hours south of Auckland. A guide leads you through the set used for filming The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, walking past the Shire buildings, the Green Dragon pub, and the gardens where scenes were shot. You'll get a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon itself, then sit down to a buffet lunch at the Marquee on the grounds. The whole Hobbiton experience is built into the day. Entry and the meal are included.

After Hobbiton, the tour heads to Waitomo Caves. The Waitomo Glow-worm Cave is the main stop: a guided walk through passages lit by thousands of tiny glow-worms clinging to the cave ceiling. The cave sits about 45 minutes from Hobbiton. The whole day runs 13 hours from pickup to drop-off, with most of that time split between the two sites and the drive between them.

FlexiToursNZ keeps vehicles smaller than standard, with no more than 12 people per van and only three seats in the back row. The operator says this setup means more personal service from the driver and more comfort on a day that involves a lot of driving. The vehicle is air-conditioned. You can book a round trip starting and ending in Auckland, or a one-way tour that starts in Auckland and finishes in Rotorua: useful if you're heading south after the tour. Luggage allowance is one 23kg bag and one carry-on per person, standard airline limits.

What’s included

• Admission to Hobbiton Movie Set.
• guided tour of Waitomo Glow-worm Cave.
• buffet lunch at the Marquee.
• complimentary drink at the Green Dragon.
• air-conditioned vehicle with spacious seating.
• live English-speaking guide.

Options for this experience

2 options

Auckland to RotoruaGuide in English · 06:25Lasts 13 hours with lunch, running from Auckland to Rotorua. The tour starts with pickup from your accommodation in central Auckland and ends with a drop-off at your accommodation in central Rotorua. Pickup is included by minibus.

Auckland to AucklandGuide in English · 06:25Lasts 13 hours with lunch, running from Auckland back to Auckland. The route continues to the Waitomo Caves for a 45-minute tour that includes a boat ride. Pickup is included by minibus.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:25

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Infant (2 to 4 years)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 48 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by FlexiToursNZ

Is this one for you?Small-group seating (no more than 12 people and only three in the back row) suits travelers who want comfort on a long drive and prefer a guide who can give personal attention rather than managing a full-size coach. If you're heading south after the tour, the one-way option to Rotorua saves you the return drive to Auckland.

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

40 verified traveler reviews

5 ★37

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 14 years); Infant (2 to 4 years).

What exactly do you see and do at the Hobbiton Movie Set?

The Hobbiton Movie Set is a permanent outdoor recreation of the Shire from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, built on a working farm. A guide walks you through the set, showing you the hobbit holes, the Green Dragon pub, and the gardens where scenes were filmed. You'll have time to explore, then sit down inside the Green Dragon itself for a complimentary drink, and afterward eat a buffet lunch at the Marquee on the grounds.

What is the Waitomo Glow-worm Cave like?

The Waitomo Glow-worm Cave is an underground cave system lit by thousands of tiny glow-worms that cling to the ceiling and walls. A guide leads you through the passages on foot, and the glow-worms create a starry effect in the darkness. It's a short walk, and the cave is cool but not cold.

How much of the day is spent driving versus at the attractions?

The tour runs 13 hours total from pickup to drop-off. Hobbiton takes up most of the morning and early afternoon, including the guided walk, the drink at the Green Dragon, and lunch. The drive from Auckland to Matamata is about two hours each way, and the drive from Hobbiton to Waitomo Caves is roughly 45 minutes. The cave visit itself is a guided walk lasting about an hour.

Can I do a one-way tour, or does it have to be round-trip to Auckland?

You can choose either option at checkout. One-way tours start in Auckland and finish in Rotorua, which works if you're continuing south. Round-trip tours start and end in Auckland. It's essential to pick the correct option when you book, so the driver knows where to drop you off.

What meals and drinks are included?

Buffet lunch at the Marquee on the Hobbiton grounds is included, along with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon pub. The operator provides all meals prepared in a professional kitchen. You should bring your own water or other drinks for the drive, as only lunch and the one drink at the pub are supplied.