Tauranga & Hobbiton Day Trip: Movie Set Tour, Lake Stop, Snacks

Summary

Hobbiton’s movie set charm meets Tauranga’s lakeside calm with local stories

You’ll wander through Hobbiton’s movie set magic with a guide who knows every detail, share laughs over ginger beer at The Green Dragon Inn, and pause lakeside at McLaren Falls where ducks beg for crumbs. Pickup from Tauranga keeps things simple, so you can just settle in and let New Zealand do its thing.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll want to look left,” our driver said as we rolled out of Tauranga — and he was right. The hills were that wild green you only get in New Zealand, sheep scattered like someone shook salt on velvet. Our Hobbiton day trip from Tauranga started early but not rushed; I had time to fumble with the free WiFi and sip water before we hit the road proper. There was this quiet hum in the van — a mix of people chatting, someone unwrapping a snack (I think it was ginger cookies?), and outside, just the steady drizzle on the windows. I didn’t expect to feel so at home with strangers, but maybe that’s part of it.

At Hobbiton, our guide (she actually trained there — knew every name for every flower in The Shire) led us through those round doors and tiny gardens. She told us how locals helped build the sets and pointed out which tree was fake (honestly fooled me). The smell of damp grass mixed with wood smoke near The Green Dragon Inn — I still think about that pint of ginger beer, sweet and spicy, warming my hands even though it wasn’t cold out. Someone tried quoting Gandalf; we all laughed because none of us remembered it quite right.

We stopped at McLaren Falls Park on the way back. Ducks everywhere, some bold enough to waddle up for crumbs. I dipped my hand in the lake just to see if it was as clear as it looked (it was freezing). Our guide talked about glow worms hiding nearby — apparently you can kayak here at night to see them. That stuck with me for some reason. By then I’d lost track of time; snacks came around again, and I realized how easy it is to let a day slip by when you’re not worrying about logistics or missing your bus or whatever else usually gets in the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Hobbiton and McLaren Falls Park

• Travel to Hobbiton Movie Set
• Take 2.5 hour guided Hobbiton tour
• Visit The Shire and Hobbit homes
• Stop at The Green Dragon Inn
• Travel to McLaren Falls Park
• Explore McLaren Falls Park and lake

Top questions

How long is the Hobbiton tour from Tauranga?

The full day trip lasts several hours, with about 3.25 hours spent at Hobbiton including a 2.5 hour guided tour.

Are tickets to Hobbiton included?

No, admission to Hobbiton is excluded for cruise ship passengers; you need to purchase tickets separately.

Is pickup included from Tauranga hotels or port?

Yes, pickup is included from Tauranga for this tour.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the tour?

Yes, bottled water and snacks are included on board during your day trip.

Is there WiFi on the vehicle?

Yes, free WiFi is available throughout the journey.

Do I need to walk much during this tour?

You’ll need to walk over an hour unassisted over mixed terrain at Hobbiton.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants can ride in a pram or stroller and specialized infant seats are available.

What else do we visit besides Hobbiton?

You’ll also stop at McLaren Falls Park near Tauranga for a lakeside break.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Tauranga, comfortable air-conditioned transport with WiFi and USB charging points, plus bottled water and snacks along the way—so you can just focus on enjoying Hobbiton’s movie set tour and relaxing by McLaren Falls before heading back.