Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour from Auckland

You board a glowworm boat and thousands of tiny lights spark above you in the darkness underground.

This full-day guided tour from Auckland takes you to two of New Zealand's most distinctive sites: the 12-acre Hobbiton Movie Set in the Waikato countryside, where you walk through the Shire and visit 44 hobbit holes with a professional guide, and Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where you descend underground to float past glowworms lighting up the cave ceiling. The tour runs in small groups with a local driver-guide, includes hotel pickup in Auckland CBD, lunch with a choice of dishes, and a complimentary drink at the Hobbiton pub. The caves operate in all weather. Photography is not permitted inside due to the delicate ecosystem.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Hobbiton Movie Set2h 30m · entry included
2. Waitomo Caves1h · entry included

Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour

• Depart Auckland city
• Travel through Waikato countryside
• Board Hobbiton bus for guided tour
• Explore Hobbiton movie set and gardens
• Enjoy complimentary drink at Green Dragon Inn
• Stop at lake viewpoint for photos
• Have included lunch
• Guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Glowworm boat cruise underground
• Return trip to Auckland with stops

The experience

Your day starts in Auckland, where your guide picks you up from your hotel in the CBD and points out the city's top sights as you head south. The drive takes you through the Waikato countryside, the world's most extensive farming area, where you'll see rolling farmland, rivers, mountains and farm animals along the way. This stretch sets up what comes next: two very different New Zealand experiences, both of them places you won't find anywhere else.

At Hobbiton, you board one of the big green buses and spend two and a half hours on a fully guided tour of the 12-acre movie set with a professional Hobbiton guide. You walk through the lush pastures of the Shire, step into 44 hobbit holes, see the gardens and hear the behind-the-scenes stories of the films. At the end of the tour you get a complimentary cold drink at the Hobbiton pub, The Green Dragon Inn. After Hobbiton, you stop at a scenic lake viewpoint for photos, then break for lunch at a local spot where you choose from a fresh menu of savoury dishes.

In the afternoon you arrive at Waitomo Glowworm Caves. A guide walks you through the ancient cave formations (stalactites, stalagmites and lime columns) before you descend further underground and board a small boat on the grotto river. As the boat moves through the darkness, thousands of glowworms spark above you like a night sky. The caves have been a draw for over 120 years and are unique to New Zealand. On the return to Auckland, your guide takes you on a fully guided drive north with secret stops along the way.

What’s included

• Fully guided small group tour with a local driver-guide.
• Hobbiton Movie Set tour with a professional guide and complimentary drink at The Green Dragon Inn.
• Waitomo Glowworm Caves with boat ride through the grotto.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Auckland CBD (select locations).
• lunch with free choice from a set menu.
• water and snacks throughout the day.
• safety and booster seats for children aged 7 and younger.

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?Pick this if you want to see both Hobbiton and Waitomo caves in one day. A guide handles the route and timing while you travel with a small group following a set schedule.

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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 Movie Set tour lasts two and a half hours, led by a professional Hobbiton guide who takes you through the 12-acre Shire set, the 44 hobbit holes, and the gardens while sharing stories about the making of the films.

What happens during the Waitomo Glowworm Caves visit?

At Waitomo you're guided through the ancient cave formations including stalactites and stalagmites, then board a boat on the grotto river where thousands of glowworms light up the cave ceiling above you as you float through the darkness.

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

Yes, lunch is included as part of the tour. You choose from a fresh selection of savoury dishes from a set menu at a local spot during the midday break.

Does the tour include hotel pickup in Auckland?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Auckland CBD are included for select locations. Confirm your address when you book to verify your pickup point is covered.

What's the total length of this tour?

The full tour runs 12 hours from pickup to drop-off, covering the drive from Auckland, the Hobbiton visit, lunch, the Waitomo Caves experience, and the return journey north.

Can I take photos inside Waitomo Glowworm Caves?

Photography is not permitted inside the caves due to the delicate ecosystem. You're free to photograph the cave formations and other parts of the tour outside the glowworm grotto.