Hobbiton & Rotorua Day Tour from Auckland
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Hobbiton Movie Set
- Discover Te Puia Geothermal Park
- See geysers and mud pools
- Learn about Maori culture
- Enjoy scenic New Zealand landscapes
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set
- Visit to Te Puia Geothermal Park
- Transportation from Auckland
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Pass by: Your tour starts in New Zealand’s largest city. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the city’s top highlights.
Pass by: Exiting Auckland we travel south through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world, encountering beautiful scenery, mighty rivers, great photo opportunities, impressive mountains and a variety of farm animals along the way.
Arriving at the first feature attraction ‘Hobbiton’ you will board one of the big green Hobbiton buses and depart on a two and a half hour fully guided tour of this amazing 12 acre movie set, with a professional Hobbiton guide to ensure you get the most out of your visit. During your tour step into the lush pastures of the Shire, visit 44 hobbit holes, see amazing gardens, hear the secrets and stories about the making of the movies and enjoy a cold complimentary beverage at the famous Hobbiton pub ‘The Green Dragon Inn’.
Pass by: Departing for Rotorua we pass through Tirau on our adventure. Dubbed the 'Corrugated Iron Capital of the World' because of the many unique corrugated iron sculptures and buildings, this town never fails to get a look and a laugh and our guides will point out all the main highlights on the way through.
Arriving at our second feature destination, Te Puia, you will receive a fully guided tour to best experience the geothermal and Maori cultural wonders including: Pōhutu Geyser, Māori Architecture, The National Māori Arts School, geothermal craters, geothermal events and even the chance to view a Kiwi bird in the Kiwi viewing house.
Pass by: To finish off our Rotorua experience we do a guided driving tour seeing the most famous sites in Rotorua city including: Lake Rotorua, Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring) & the Blue Baths. If there is time, we may even visit a special souvenir shop for some discounted shopping and to try Manuka Honey.
Sadly we must start to head north again but your day is not over with a fully guided return trip to Auckland including secret stops along the way.
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour involves a moderate amount of walking; ensure you're comfortable with this level of activity.
- Meals and beverages are not included; consider bringing snacks or purchasing food during the tour.
- The tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a light jacket, as weather conditions can change throughout the day.
- Don't forget your camera to capture the stunning landscapes and unique sites.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. You can provide your own or one can be provided for $20 NZD (with 24 hours notice).
- Not recommended for travelers with severe mobility difficulties, a moderate amount of walking is involved.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- Minimum numbers apply - if minimum numbers are not met you will be offered an alterative tour, reschedule, or full refund
- The legal drinking age is 18, and ID may be required
Traveler reviews
A beautiful day of adventure!
It was a packed day that started early in the morning but our guide Jeoff brought kind positivity, was extremely organised and taught us more about New Zealand’s rich and varied culture along the way. Hobbiton was beautiful. Then we got lucky and spotted kiwi birds AND geysers at Te Puia. I would recommend this trip especially if you have limited time and want to see as much as possible in one day!
Brilliant day and John is a fantastic facilitator
John is a brilliant tour guide/driver. A lot of fun, informative, kept the group energy up from 5.45 till the drop-off. I had a thought to drop off at Rotorua for the Māori show if there were tickets. He went out of his way to check a hotel room where they normally stay. He called the office to check if I could be picked up the next day. All was set but the evenin experience ticket I had seen was gone. But I appreciated the effort and desire to help me experience the Māori evening. Def recommended and will do more with them.
Journey to the Shire
It was the best! The drive there was smooth and our driver Trent made sure to keep us all comfortable with some snacks and water along the way. He also made sure to inform us of the time, where to meet, and what to do to make sure the entire trip would go without a hitch. Hobbiton was the best and we thoroughly enjoyed it. If you want more time we would suggest getting a somewhat private tour to really get into the world of the Hobbits and enjoy it freely. All the admission fees were already included in the package though, so we can’t complain. One thing we would have wished for Te Puia would have been to experience the cultural presentation and see the Haka. Unfortunately the tour only included the first package. We suggest upgrading even just to the higher package next to it to avail of the cultural performance which we think will tie up the whole experience and make it better. Aside from that, the tour was amazing. Worth enjoying a full day of driving, seeing the sights, and learning more about New Zealand.
Outstanding tour guide Cam Mans who really took care of everyone the whole way through. Well planned and well executed
Well planned and comfortable vehicle
This was a fun and...
This was a fun and informative tour. Simon our driver/guide provided information about New Zealand and what we would see along the drive. Hobbiton was amazing, it boosted the memories of LOR movies - so much that we have started to re-watch. Te Puia cultural park was informative about Māori cultural plus there’s a huge geyser and we saw 2 kiwi birds. Long by great day!