Hobbiton & Te Puia Private Tour with Geothermal Sites

Two of North Island's most famous sites in one day: the Shire and a live geyser

A private day tour from Auckland to Rotorua and Hobbiton, visiting Te Puia to see the Pohutu geyser and live Kiwi birds, then the Redwoods Forest, and finally the Hobbiton Movie Set where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed. Your guide picks you up in Auckland and returns you at the end of the day. Entry to both Hobbiton and Te Puia is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Te Puia2h · entry included
2. Redwoods Forest Whakarewarewa30m
3. Hobbiton Movie Set3h · entry included

Explore Rotorua and Hobbiton highlights

• Pick up and travel to Rotorua
• Visit Pohutu geyser and Maori culture show
• See the Redwood Forest in Rotorua
• Travel to Hobbiton
• Tour Hobbiton Movie Set
• Lunch and see Rotorua city and lake
• Return to Auckland

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Auckland hotel and a drive south to Rotorua. At Te Puia, you watch the Pohutu geyser erupt, see live Kiwi birds in a native habitat, and learn about Maori culture through a live performance. The geothermal area is the working heart of the region: the ground steams and the geyser fires on its own schedule, not on a tour operator's timetable. After lunch in Rotorua and a walk through the city, you move on to the Redwoods Forest Whakarewarewa, where tall trees frame the volcanic landscape.

The second half of the day is Hobbiton. The movie set sits on a 1,250-acre sheep and beef farm outside Matamata, and you walk through The Shire as it was built for filming The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. The sets remain standing, and the guide walks you through the locations where scenes were shot. The full day runs 12 to 13 hours door to door, and the schedule can flex if you need it to. Contact the operator before booking to discuss timing.

What’s included

• Entry to Hobbiton Movie Set and Te Puia.
• private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Auckland.
• WiFi on board.
• bottled water and snacks.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (19 and older) · Child (1 to 18 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 41 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Oh!HAPPYTour

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so you travel with your own guide and set the pace as a group: ideal if you want to linger at Hobbiton or skip ahead if a site doesn't hold your interest. The minimum is two people, and the schedule can adjust to your preferences before the day starts.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 18 years).

What exactly do I see at Te Puia?

Te Puia is a geothermal reserve where the Pohutu geyser erupts naturally, shooting hot water into the air. You also see live Kiwi birds in a native bird sanctuary and watch a Maori cultural performance on site.

Is Hobbiton just a museum, or do I walk around the actual movie sets?

Hobbiton is the actual film location where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were shot. You walk through The Shire sets that remain on the farm, and the guide explains which scenes were filmed at each location.

How much of the day is driving versus time at each site?

The full day is 12 to 13 hours from pickup to drop-off in Auckland. The drive to Rotorua takes several hours, and you spend time at Te Puia, the Redwoods Forest, and Hobbiton, with a lunch stop in Rotorua city.

Can I adjust the schedule if I want to spend more time at one place?

Yes, the tour operator says the schedule can flex based on your needs. Contact them before booking to discuss timing changes.

What's included in the price?

Entry tickets to both Hobbiton Movie Set and Te Puia are included, plus private transportation from your Auckland hotel, an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, bottled water, and snacks. Lunch is not included.