Hobbiton & Waitomo Day Tour: Small Group Lunch Included

Two movie-set landmarks and a boat ride through glowing caves, all arranged from your Auckland hotel

A small-group day tour from Auckland combines a guided 2-hour walk of the Hobbiton Movie Set (44 hobbit holes, Bag End, the Party Tree and the Green Dragon Inn) with a 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, including a boat ride through the glow worm grotto. Hotel pickup and drop-off from inner city Auckland, buffet lunch at the Party Marquee, a drink at the Green Dragon, and cave admission are included. The tour runs 12 hours and suits ages 5 and up.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Tour

• Stop for coffee and restroom break
• Tour Hobbiton Movie Set
• Drink at Green Dragon Inn
• Buffet lunch and shopping
• Guided Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour
• Boat ride through glow worm grotto
• Return to Auckland

Stops and time spent at each 3 stops

1. Hobbiton Movie Set Entry included 3h
2. Matamata Entry included 15m
3. Waitomo Caves Entry included 45m

What’s included

• Guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set with 44 hobbit holes and Bag End.
• complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
• buffet lunch in the Party Marquee.
• shopping voucher at the Hobbiton Gift Shop.
• guided 45-minute tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves with boat ride through the glow worm grotto.
• admission to both attractions.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from inner city Auckland.
• GST.

Times

• Every day 07:00

Before you book

Group Up to 13

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to 2h before

Ages Adult (15 and older) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Bush and Beach

Prices and times updated today

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The experience

The day starts with a pickup from your Auckland hotel and a drive south to Matamata. A quick stop along the way lets you grab a coffee and use the facilities before arriving at Shire's Rest. The Hobbiton Movie Set tour takes 2 hours on foot, walking through 44 hobbit holes carved into the hillside, crossing the double arch bridge, standing under the Party Tree, and stopping for a photo at the gate to Bag End. The set is the actual location used for filming, and the guide walks you through the layout and the details of how it was built and used.

After the set tour, you head to the Green Dragon Inn (the iconic pub on the Hobbiton grounds), for a complimentary cider, ale or ginger beer. Then you move to the Party Marquee for a buffet lunch and time to browse the Hobbiton Gift Shop, where you'll have a shopping voucher to spend. The afternoon drive takes you to Waitomo, arriving in time for the caves tour.

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour is 45 minutes and includes a boat ride through the glow worm grotto, where thousands of glowworms light the cave ceiling in the dark. You'll also walk through the Cathedral chamber and see the delicate formations the caves are known for. The tour involves stairs and walking on uneven ground. You return to Auckland in the early evening. Both the Hobbiton and Waitomo tours join larger groups rather than running as private experiences.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 14 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What exactly do I see on the Hobbiton Movie Set tour?

The Hobbiton Movie Set tour covers 44 hobbit holes built into the hillside, the Mill, the double arch bridge, the Party Tree, and Bag End, Bilbo's house, where you can stop for a photo at the gate. The 2-hour guided walk shows you the actual filming locations used for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies.

Is the Waitomo boat ride through the glowworm caves included?

Yes, the boat ride through the glow worm grotto is part of the 45-minute Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour included in this day trip. You'll float through the cave in silence to see the thousands of glowworms lighting the ceiling, and you'll also walk through the Cathedral chamber and see the cave formations.

What's included in the lunch at Hobbiton?

Lunch is a buffet served in the Party Marquee at the Hobbiton grounds, eaten after your drink at the Green Dragon Inn. You'll also have time to shop at the Hobbiton Gift Shop with a shopping voucher included.

How long is the total day, and what time does the tour return to Auckland?

The tour runs 12 hours total, departing from your inner city Auckland hotel in the morning and returning in the early evening. You'll need to confirm your pickup time 24 hours before departure.

Are there stairs or difficult walking on this tour?

Yes, both the Hobbiton set and the Waitomo caves involve walking and stairs. Comfortable walking shoes and suitable outdoor clothing are essential. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and children ages 5 and up, but it's not recommended for travelers with walking difficulties.

Is hotel pickup from anywhere in Auckland included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from inner city Auckland accommodation. Confirm your specific pickup location and time 24 hours before the tour departs.