Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Tour from Auckland: 12 hours

Two movie-set and cave stops in one day, with a glowworm boat ride underground

A 12-hour guided day tour from Auckland visits the Hobbiton Movie Set for a two-and-a-half-hour tour of the 12-acre Shire, then Waitomo Caves for a boat ride among thousands of glowworms. Small groups of up to 15 travelers include hotel pickup from central Auckland, lunch with a choice of menu items, and a local guide who points out highlights on the drive south through Waikato farmland and stops at Lake Karapiro on the return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Hobbiton Movie Set2h · entry included
2. Waitomo Caves1h · entry included

Explore Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves

• Start tour in Auckland city
• Drive through Waikato countryside
• Tour Hobbiton Movie Set
• Stop at Lake Karapiro for photos
• Enjoy included lunch
• Explore Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Return to Auckland with secret stops

The experience

Twelve hours is a full day, and the tour front-loads the two main attractions so you spend real time at each. The drive out of Auckland takes you through the Waikato, New Zealand's largest farming region, where your guide narrates the landscape and city highlights as you leave. By mid-morning you board one of the green Hobbiton buses for the two-and-a-half-hour guided walk of the 12-acre set, stepping through the lush pastures of the Shire, visiting 44 hobbit holes, and hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of the films. A cold drink at the Green Dragon Inn pub is included before you leave the set.

After Hobbiton, the tour stops at Lake Karapiro, home to one of New Zealand's first hydro dams and a training ground for the country's elite rowers, for photos and a break. Lunch follows (a sit-down meal with a choice from a set menu) before you descend into Waitomo Caves. A professional guide leads you through the cave formations (stalactites, stalagmites, lime columns) and then you board a small boat for the glowworm grotto, where thousands of glowworms spark above you in the darkness. Photography is not permitted inside the caves to protect the delicate glowworm ecosystem. The return to Auckland is fully guided with secret stops along the way, arriving back in the late afternoon.

The group stays under 15 people, which keeps the pace relaxed and the experience less crowded than larger tours. Hotel pickup is included from select central Auckland locations, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. Water and snacks are provided throughout the day. Note that construction and maintenance work at Hobbiton is scheduled from June through September 2025. Tours continue on an alternate route with a view of the restoration work.

What’s included

• Complimentary hotel pickup from central Auckland.
• fully guided small-group tour with a local driver and guide.
• two-and-a-half-hour Hobbiton Movie Set tour with a professional guide and cold drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
• Waitomo Caves tour with glowworm boat ride.
• sit-down lunch with a choice from a set menu.
• water and snacks throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to15h before

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

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 28 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Cheeky Kiwi Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both Hobbiton and Waitomo in one day with a single guide handling transport between them, rather than coordinating separate visits.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Hobbiton Movie Set portion of the tour?

The Hobbiton guided tour lasts two and a half hours, during which you walk the 12-acre set, visit 44 hobbit holes, and hear the filmmaking stories from a professional Hobbiton guide.

What happens at Waitomo Caves during this tour?

At Waitomo Caves, a guide leads you through the cave formations including stalactites and stalagmites, then you board a boat on the grotto river to see thousands of glowworms sparkling above you. Photography inside the caves is not permitted to protect the ecosystem.

Is lunch included, and can I choose what I eat?

Lunch is included and you choose from a set menu of savoury options. The meal is sit-down and happens after Hobbiton, before heading to Waitomo.

Does the tour pick me up from my hotel in Auckland?

Hotel pickup from select central Auckland locations is included in the tour price. If your accommodation is outside the pickup zone, contact the operator to confirm availability.

What is the Lake Karapiro stop, and how long do we spend there?

Lake Karapiro is home to one of New Zealand's first hydro dams and is where the country's elite rowers train. The tour stops there for a quick break and photos on the way to Waitomo.

Will construction at Hobbiton affect the tour in 2025?

Maintenance work runs from June through September 2025, and tours continue on an alternate route around the construction zone while offering a glimpse of the restoration work keeping the set in condition.