Hobbiton & Waitomo Tour from Auckland: Luxury Transport Included

The glowworms in Waitomo Caves are unique to New Zealand and light up the darkness on their own.

A private tour from Auckland to Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves designed for couples seeking flexibility and privacy. You'll walk the Shire's rolling hills and hobbit holes with a guide, then descend into caves formed 30 million years ago to watch thousands of glowworms illuminate the grotto on a 45-minute boat journey. The tour includes lunch, bottled water and return transfers to your Auckland hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Hobbiton Movie Set2h 30m · entry included
2. Waitomo Caves50m · entry included

Visit Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Tour Hobbiton Movie Set
• See Hobbiton holes and landmarks
• Enjoy drink at Green Dragon Inn
• Explore Waitomo Glowworm Cave
• Boat ride through Glowworm Grotto

The experience

What makes this tour work for two people is the private vehicle and the chauffeur who stays with you for the full 11 hours. You set the pace at Hobbiton: stop for photos as long as you want, linger at the Green Dragon Inn where your tour ends with a complimentary drink. The movie set sits on a working farm, and the guides explain how the farmland became Middle Earth, pointing out the hobbit holes, the Mill and the Party Tree as they stood in the films.

Waitomo Caves were carved over 30 million years ago and split into two levels. You'll walk the dry upper level through the Catacombs, then descend to the Cathedral Cove, famous for its acoustics. The boat journey through the Glowworm Grotto takes 45 minutes and moves slowly so you can watch the Arachnocampa Luminosa, tiny creatures that glow naturally, suspended from the cave ceiling like a starfield. Your guide explains the geology and the biology as you drift through.

Lunch and bottled water are included, and the driver handles the route from your Auckland hotel or port. The chauffeur has 25 years of experience in tours and transfers, so the drive itself is part of the comfort. You return to your hotel at the end of the day.

What’s included

• Lunch and bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• all entry fees and taxes.
• return transfers from your Auckland CBD hotel or port.
• complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.

Options for this experience

3 options

Private luxury tour from Auckland to the Hobbiton movie set and Waitomo caves, for couplesUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English · 06:30Pickup is included

Private tour for a group of 3 guestsUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English · 06:30Private tour for a group of 3 travellers, with pickup included

Private tour for a group of 4 guestsUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English · 06:30Private group tour, pickup included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 43 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Black Car Transfers & Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to move at your own pace and spend as much time as you need at each site without keeping a group waiting. The private vehicle means you can stop for photos whenever you want and linger at Hobbiton or the caves without a schedule pushing you forward.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

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 you see and do at Hobbiton Movie Set?

Hobbiton Movie Set is the working farm where the Shire was filmed, and you walk the rolling hillside to see the hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and the Party Tree as they appear in the movies. A guide walks with you and explains how the farmland was transformed for filming. Your tour ends at the Green Dragon Inn with a complimentary ale, beer, cider or ginger beer.

How long is the boat ride through the glowworm caves?

The boat journey through the Glowworm Grotto lasts 45 minutes. You drift slowly through the lower level of the caves, where thousands of glowworms light up the darkness from the cave ceiling above.

What are the glowworms in Waitomo Caves?

The glowworms are called Arachnocampa Luminosa and are unique to New Zealand. They produce their own light naturally, and when thousands of them glow together in the cave, they create a starry effect across the rock above the water.

Does the tour include food and drinks?

Lunch is included, along with bottled water throughout the day. At Hobbiton, your tour ends with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn: ale, beer, cider or ginger beer.

How does pickup work?

The driver picks you up from your Auckland CBD hotel or the Port of Auckland and returns you there at the end of the 11-hour tour. You travel in a private vehicle with the same chauffeur for the entire day.