Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland
By Auckland Scenic Tours
About
Visit two of New Zealand’s top attractions on a combo trip from Auckland. Explore the Shire’s hobbit holes and get a drink at the Green Dragon Inn on a Hobbiton Movie Set tour—a favorite for 'Lord of the Rings' fans—and then listen to Maori legends on a boat ride through the mesmerizing Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Along the way, pass through some of the North Island’s most gorgeous landscapes.
from per adult (price varies by group size)
AU$352.28
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 14 per group
Duration: 11h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Cross off two North Island highlights in one day—no rental car needed!
- 'Lord of the Rings' fans will love an official Hobbiton Movie Set tour
- Ride a boat through the illuminated Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Learn about native New Zealand history and culture from a Maori guide
- Small-group tour (maximum of 14)
- Kiwi café-style lunch
- Local driver/guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from downtown Auckland City
- Local taxes
- Admission ticket: Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Entry/Admission - Hobbiton Movie Set
- Entry/Admission - Waitomo Glowworm Caves
What's not included- Food and drinks, unless specified
- After pickup at your central Auckland hotel, leave the city behind as you drive through the Bombay Hills and Hauraki Plains to reach a sheep farm used as the filming location for the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy and 'The Hobbit.' J.R.R. Tolkien fans recognize Middle-earth locales like hobbit holes, the Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn as you learn behind-the-scenes secrets of the epic movies. After a Kiwi-style lunch, depart for the mysterious underground world of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Glide through glittering caverns on a boat as thousands of bioluminescent glowworms provide a natural light show. Explore the acoustically rich Cathedral Cave on foot, and learn about the area’s history and legends from a Maori guide. Travel along the Waikato River and past a sacred Maori burial ground on the drive back to your Auckland hotel, where your tour ends.
- Departure details
- Traveller pickup is offered.
- All centrally Located Auckland hotels, BNBs, Backpacker Hotels in the Central Business District. Any of the following or others(not mentioned) in the Central Business District Adina Apartments Air BNBs- all Downtown CBC BNBs Airedale Suites, 380 Queen Street Ascotia off Queen Attic Backpackers, 31 Wellesley Street West Auckland City Hotel, 157 Hobson Street Auckland Harbour Suites Avani Metropolis Backpackers-all CBD locations Barclay Suites Choice Backpackers, 10 Wellesley Street East City Life Copthorne, 150 Anzac Avenue Cordis Crowne Plaza De Bretts Hotel Dilworth Econolodge Empire Apartments Fable Hotel Gamma Hotel Grand Chancellor, 1 Hobson Street Grand Millennium Haka Hotel & Suites, 2 Day Street (only) Haka Lodge, 373 Karangahape Rd Heritage Hilton Hobson Lodge, 224 Hobson Street Holiday Inn Express, CBD Ibis City (Wyndham Street) Imagine Kiwi International, 411 Queen Street Mercure Auckland, 500 Queen St Metropolis (Avani Metropolis) MSocial Nesuto Stadium Apartment Hotel, 40 Beach Road Nesuto St. Martins, St. Martins Lane Newton Lodge, 27 Cross Street President Hotel Princes Wharf Apartments Pullman Quadrant Hotel & Suites Quest (all CBD locations) Ramada Suites, 147 Victoria Street Rydges Sebel (both Viaduct Harbour and Quay West) Sebel Manukau, 16 Lakewood Court, Manukau-for those staying near the airport Sky City Grand Sky City Hotel Sofitel SO Hotel, cnr Customs Street and Gore Street Stamford Plaza Star Park Apartments, 30B Swanson St Star Queen Apartments, 438 Queen Street Star Victoria Apartments, 64 Federal Street Sudima, 63-67 Nelson Street Swiss bel Suites Travelodge, Packenham Street West, Wynyard Quarter Voco VR Auckland City, 188 Queen Street VR Queen Street, 401 Queen Street YHA Backpackers, 5 Turner Street
- Hotel pickup is offered. View the hotel list on our checkout page to see if yours is included among the pickup points.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 37991P3- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age is 4 years
- A maximum of 14 people per booking (We can provide this tour to groups larger than 14 by discussions with Viator and ourselves)
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Not Wheel-Suitable Friendly as these are walking tours
- Most travellers can participate
- We can provide NZ Safety Approved Child Car Seats and Booster Seats. We do not provide strollers or infant back packs
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- Which attractions will I visit with Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland?
- During this experience, places you will visit include:Discover and book Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland on Tripadvisor
- How much is Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland?
- Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland price starts from AU$350.97. Discover and book Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland on Tripadvisor
- What is the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland cancellation policy?
- Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland on Tripadvisor
- Which company provides Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland?
- Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland is hosted by Auckland Scenic Tours. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Auckland Scenic Tours on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland on Tripadvisor
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 37991P3
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Itinerary
- You'll get picked upSee departure details
- Pass byAuckland Scenic Tours
- 1Hobbiton Movie SetStop: 2 hours - Admission includedSee details
- 2Waitomo Glowworm CavesStop: 4 hours - Admission includedSee details
- You'll return to the starting point
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About the operator
Auckland Scenic Tours
1,353
New Zealand
Joined in June 2016
#1 of 197 Tours & Activities in Auckland Central
- loislW6906MG00Full day tour of Auckland.Best tour ever. Mike is a great guide and marvelous person. Highly recommend this one!! Nice chance for lunch stop and wine tasting. Well done.
- 537danp53700Auckland day tripJust completed the 8 hour tour with Mike as our guide. Amazing. This tour ventured through the city and out to the countryside to see many sites at a very relaxed pace. Mike was informative, helpful and truly enjoys his job. We were a group of 9 couples and families who shared a great day. Highly recommend this to first time visitors to Auckland.
- timjstark00Perfect orientation tour on our 1st day!On our very first ever day in New Zealand, Mike picked us up (as well as four others on a rainy afternoon right at our CBD hotels with a broad smile. This set the tone for the four hour tour in which we (jet lagged though we were), allowed us to get a good sense of the city of Auckland and its environs. His positive banter along with excellent driving skills gave us the freedom to relax, soak in the new places we were seeing, and kept us laughing as well as informed while the numerous stops kept us alert and happy. This was an excellent choice for an orientation tour of this beautiful city. P..S. His prediction of sunny skies in the latter half of the tour came through as well...!
- stevebM5521PS00Enjoyable TourOur guide, Mike, made the trip very enjoyable. He shared his extensive knowledge of the history of Auckland with the group. He drove us thru the different neighborhoods describing the characteristics of each area. We stopped at the many scenic vistas to take photos. All questions were answered and we never felt rushed to get to the next destination. The time was well spent and I would recommend the Full Day Tour..
- Vacation1372893606000Awesome experience and views.Wonderful experience and our tour guide Mike was knowledgeable and fun. My wife Debbi and I had a great time seeing the Shire and the New Zealand countryside!!! A must see, especially after Dec 2023 when the new full size walk in hobbit hole will be completed!!
- timjstark00Great intro to Auckland!On our very first day in Auckland, we battled jet lag by booking the afternoon highlights tour of Auckland. We were rewarded with four hours of lively commentary (by Mike, our amazing guide), a well organized overview of this cool city, and a great mix of walking & driving. A sense of comfort & being pampered is evident by this tour right from the outset as you are picked up directly from your hotel. Mike took our group of six to the various sites on the tour (listed on the website) while expertly navigating rain, varying levels of traffic, & questions from the group. His repartee was educational & funny, but always professional and it was clear that he possesses
- etphonehm00Best Tour Experience and Best $ SpentThe company was very responsive and worked with me to get me booked as a solo traveler. Our driver/tour guide Mike was amazing. He was funny, courteous, helpful and each spot he took us had a spectacular view. The tour group/van was the perfect size, 9 people with 3 seats vacant. We never crossed paths with the Hop on and Hop off bus or any big tour buses which was a very good thing. The tour covers a fairly good amount of area given the short 4-hour tour time, yet we never felt rush. We had a couple of opportunities to take a 20-minute walk in Mt Victoria and the Winter Garden which were very nice. It doesn't hurt that we had very pleasant weather on Oct 17, 2023. Highly recommended this company.
- Voyage5400817300300An outstanding experience !!!Some times when you travel you have an experience that enables you to appreciate your visit to an area to the fullest . So much so that without hesitation you want your friends and family to have the same experiences. Today we had the Auckland Scenic Day Tour Full-Day- 8 HOURS through . Our outstanding tour guide was Mike. We feel like in a day we came away with a great feel of Auckland. He made us feel like old friends ! Don’t miss out on this one.
- shelleybO5656BG00A well informed tour by a guide that cared if we enjoyed the experienceOur tour guide Mick was so punctual, humorous and informative. He went ou of his way to make sure we enjoyed our experience.
- H9184XUagustina00Amazing experienceGreat experience! Took so many memories back with us. Michael our tour guide is the most amazing Kiwi in the land of the hobbits.
- helenbZ371LL00Great Afternoon in AucklandThe small group of 9 people made it easy to interact and enjoy each other’s company. Our tour guide Mike was an informative and genial host. We thoroughly recommend this tour.
- Catriona C00Good timesHad an awesome trip today. Hobbiton is amazing. I was on my own so it was really nice to be a part of a group and have a tour guide - Michael who talked to us throughout the journey with lots of information about hobbiton, Auckland and anything else we asked about. Ice cream stop on the way back was a nice bonus! He was also on hand to take lots of photos at the green dragon which again was really useful as I was on my own. Good Times! Thanks!
- Oilman196900Great Tour of Auckland with MikeMy wife and I had a spare day before our cruise and opted for a city tour of Auckland with Scenic Tours. Our tour guide Mike was absolutely fantastic and answered all the questions we and other quested had. Very experienced and knowledgeable. The tour was fantastic with a great lunch stop along the way. The meal was amazing. Lots of sights to see, lots of stops and everything was extremely well explained. Would definitely recommend and always ask for Mike !
- T9549EUroberta00Delightful tour to Hobbiton movie setWe are an elderly couple from USA. Our guide was fun and knowledgable and was very helpful to group members. We enjoyed the trip through the beautiful countryside. The Hobbiton set was delightful, the gift shop and facilities were very good and had delicious snacks. The tour was a highlight of our visit to New Zealand.
- wvallen00Excellent tourGreat experience! Easy to take the van down to Hobbiton and our guide/driver was attentive and awesome. Highly recommended!
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5.0
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Cynthia R
Plano, TX144 contributions
Dec. 2019 • Friends
The driver/guide picked us up right on time at 6:15am. There were just 9 in our group so we were in a small van. The driver filled us in on the details of the day and provided a lot of local info on the drive. Once you get there, you get timed tickets on a second larger bus for the short ride to the movie set with a local guide. There are restrooms, a cafe and a gift shop where you catch the bus. The scenery is breathtaking and Hobbiton doesn’t disappoint. The guide provides lots of movie info and there’s plenty of time for pics. You get a free drink at the end at the Green Dragon. The tour driver picks you up so you don’t have to take the big bus back to the parking lot.
Lunch is included at a local roadside restaurant. The glow worm caves were quite interesting and part of the tour is a boat ride. They stress repeatedly that it’s important to be very quiet on the boat otherwise the glow worms don’t light up. It’s very dark on the boat ride so young kids may have a problem. There’s a nice gift shop at the end of the tour. We stopped for ice cream on the way back to Auckland. Try the local flavors: Kiwi Pavlova and Hokey Pokey.
It was a long day with lots of driving but two not to be missed sites we couldn’t have visited on our own. We also enjoyed the New Zealand countryside. The guide was very helpful and professional and shared many interesting facts throughout the day.
Lunch is included at a local roadside restaurant. The glow worm caves were quite interesting and part of the tour is a boat ride. They stress repeatedly that it’s important to be very quiet on the boat otherwise the glow worms don’t light up. It’s very dark on the boat ride so young kids may have a problem. There’s a nice gift shop at the end of the tour. We stopped for ice cream on the way back to Auckland. Try the local flavors: Kiwi Pavlova and Hokey Pokey.
It was a long day with lots of driving but two not to be missed sites we couldn’t have visited on our own. We also enjoyed the New Zealand countryside. The guide was very helpful and professional and shared many interesting facts throughout the day.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for these lovely comments! As you now appreciate we have taken great care in the designing and timing of our tour. You are right that it is an early start. The reason for this is two-fold as we must beat the early morning peak traffic out of Auckland as what should take 30 minutes to leave Auckland can otherwise take more than double this. The upside as you experienced is that you basically have the Hobbiton Movie Set to yourself before the 4,000 odd visitors that go there daily descend on the Movie Set. This ensures the optimum experience.
Yes, from the moment we pick you up in the comfort of one of our Mercedes, we want you just to sit back and enjoy this absolutely magical and enchanting day as you visit the 2 most famous attractions in New Zealand. I sense you loved the specially designed scenic routes where for 80% of the day we get right off the motorways onto the lovely country roads with less traffic
Thank you also for the lovely comments about one of our tour guides and also for choosing our tour
Written 19 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karen L
Bellingham, WA37 contributions
Mar. 2020 • Couples
The tour started perfectly with our guide, Dwayne, warmly and promptly greeting us as we exited our hotel. The early start enabled us to avoid traffic and enter Hobbiton as the first tour of the day. Our guides at Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves were excellent as well. Dwayne met us at the end of each tour and was kind enough to take pictures of us that will help provide lasting memories (and FB posts) of this amazing tour. Long day but worth going! Mercedes van was very comfortable and Dwayne provided good travel tips and additional insights into Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves during the drive. Also, gave interesting commentary about towns and regions we drove through. Dwayne was always attentive to passengers comfort and enjoyment of the trip.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you!! I sense you had the most special day, made even more so by our of our tour guides. You will look back on the photos that you refer and the FB posts no doubt (and the reminders that pop up a year later) and reflect on the day we shared together visiting the 2 most famous and iconic attractions in New Zealand. We were privileged to share these with you. You are right that from the moment we pick you up in the luxury and comfort of one of our fleet of Mercedes Bens vehicles, we want you to just sit back and enjoy this absolutely magical and enchanting experience.
You are right that we have especially designed our tour so that we miss the early morning peak hour traffic (hence the early start) but the upside, as you now appreciate. is that you pretty much have the Hobbiton Movie Set to yourself before the thousands and thousands that visit daily descend on the Movie Set.
We really appreciated your lovely comments on one of our tour guides and you experienced first-hand why they all are so renowned for their huge depth of knowledge but equally their professionalism and their affability. Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour and best wishes for the rest of 2020
Written 5 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tidgney
3 contributions
Feb. 2020
Great day out this, really was enjoyable! Our guide for the day was Dwayne who was great!
So the Hobbiton Movie Set, just as amazing as you'd expect it to be, in fact a few friends think the photos aren't real haha! The only downside to this experience was that our small group of 13 was added into a few other groups for this experience (This isn't by the tour guide which is why no rating is being taken off and would happen with any tour) as the guide at Hobbiton I sometimes couldn't hear as I was so far back. Other than that, it was spot on!
The Waitomo Glowworm cave really was amazing, I actually can't believe how good of an experience it was as well as the amount I learned. Really was well done, and you can tell all the guides at the cave really do love it! No photography or filming is allowed in the cave which is understandable.
Dwayne also showed us a few additional places en route and gave some good history/lore out about things which was fantastic. I do recommend this tour!
So the Hobbiton Movie Set, just as amazing as you'd expect it to be, in fact a few friends think the photos aren't real haha! The only downside to this experience was that our small group of 13 was added into a few other groups for this experience (This isn't by the tour guide which is why no rating is being taken off and would happen with any tour) as the guide at Hobbiton I sometimes couldn't hear as I was so far back. Other than that, it was spot on!
The Waitomo Glowworm cave really was amazing, I actually can't believe how good of an experience it was as well as the amount I learned. Really was well done, and you can tell all the guides at the cave really do love it! No photography or filming is allowed in the cave which is understandable.
Dwayne also showed us a few additional places en route and gave some good history/lore out about things which was fantastic. I do recommend this tour!
Written 22 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DavidS23368
Thank you!! Like you I am in awe every time I visit the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Is there any more serene and tranquil place that in the boat on the river as you glide silenty in the caverns of the Caves and you look aloft and you are mesmerised by the myriad of Glowworms shing down on you. It is like looking at the Milky Way; the cosmos of the Sky
I sense you took some amazing photos at Hobbiton!! Is there any more special place that being beside the Green Dragon, sipping on a complimentary drink with the reflective lake in the foreground and the 44 Hobbit Holes in the background.
Thank you for your lovely comments about our tour guide. You appreciated why they are so renowned for their deep knowledge, professionalism and affability. Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour
Written 22 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rachel S
8 contributions
Our guide Dwayne was so good at making everybody feel happy and comfortable. The trip is so worth it, if you like Lord of the Rings you should totally go on this tour. Hobbiton was a fun adventure and adorable. The glow worms are a must do in New Zealand and this tour group is so good at making everything run smoothly, and they were so professional.
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DavidS23368
Thank you for these lovely comments about our tour, its organization and one of our tour guides. We want all our tours to be an adventure and you clearly experienced that as we unfolded the 2 most famous and iconic attractions in New Zealand on this simply magical tour. I sense you absolutely loved Hobbiton; but as you experienced, you don't have to be a LOTR fan to enjoy this enchanting tour; in fact half the 1 Million visitors annually have never read a Tokein book or watched one of the movies and you don't have to have done either to enjoy this tour. Like you, I mavel at the tranquility and serenity of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and is there any better place to be than in the boat on the river in the Caverns of the Caves and you look aloft and see the myriad of Glowworms, like the Milky Way, shinning down on you. We think not.
Thank you also for your lovely comments about of our our tour guides and the professionalism that you felt. We appreciated reading that. Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour
Written 18 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jazzamm
Woodinville, WA28 contributions
If you are a Lord of the Rings or a Hobbit fan then this tour is a must. The early, 6am start in Auckland just means the drive takes a little while. Mike kept us well entertained. Make sure to grab some coffee and breakfast to go because the first stop is just after 8:30am. Hobbiton provide their own guides and since the group is large try to stick as close to the guide as possible. There are several options to choose from at lunch including vegetarian and it was delicious.
The highlight for my spouse who is not a big Hobbit fan, was the glow worm cavern. It’s novel, beautiful and a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this company and this tour.
The highlight for my spouse who is not a big Hobbit fan, was the glow worm cavern. It’s novel, beautiful and a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this company and this tour.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for these lovely comments about our tour. You are right it is an early start but the benefit of that is that we miss the peak hour traffic out of Auckland so this take half the time; the upside is that when we get to Hobbiton you pretty much have the Movie Set to yourself before the 4,000 odd that visit daily arrive. Additionally it affords the best opportunities for photos as you now appreciate.
Like your husband, I marvel at the beauty of nature every time I visit the Word-Famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Is there any more beautiful and awe-inspiring place I New Zealand? We think not. We believe, as you mention, that every one of our 8 tours, either in or out of Auckland, are excellent value for money.
But a point of difference is our guides that you commented on who are renowned for their deep knowledge plus equally their professionalism, affability and their attention to the little details. Thank you for choosing our tour and best wishes
Written 5 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Odyssey755744
1 contribution
Mar. 2020
Great all around. The Hobbiton tour was great, plus having an afternoon excursion that was unique and exceptional only added to the day. We felt like we did two interesting and special events, while also getting out of the city and seeing what the countryside and rural life was in this part of New Zealand. Our guide, Dwayne was knowledgable, friendly and helpful, as well as unflappable when a storm knocked out the power at the lunch stop and heaby rain later in the day made the driving challenging. It's a full day, certainly, both in content and time.
Would definitely recommend.
JDF
Would definitely recommend.
JDF
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank You! Loved your headline " Very cool and full day!" We look at our Hobbiton/Waitomo Tour as being really 3 attractions; you visited the 2 most famous attractions in New Zealand on our 1 Day return excursion from Auckland (Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves) but equally as you comment on is the 3rd attraction, which is the spectacular county routes that we take for 80% of the day where we get right off the motorway (which we could take). This has been specially designed by our company as we recognize that for most of our guests this will likely be the only time they journey into this area and we want showcase the beautiful and every changing landscape that you refer to.
We appreciate also the lovely comments about one of our tour guides and also that his and our #1 focus is the safety of our guests and their possessions and we really appreciate you noticing and commenting on this. You experienced why our team of guides are so renowned for their professionalism, their attention to detail that you mention, but equally their affability and their enormous depth of knowledge
Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour
Written 10 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jonathan W
1 contribution
Aug. 2022
Our guide, David, was excellent in every way. He was energetic, friendly, polite, organized, knowledgeable and, best of all, he knew every great angle to take photos for us and what to do while on the tours to get the best experience possible. He also made a point to make reasonable amounts of stops as the journey down to Hobbiton/Waitomo from Auckland is decently long, so this was very much appreciated. We were both very impressed with how good of a tour guide David was for us and highly recommend him.
Some things you can expect just to be prepared--be ready to wake up at the crack of dawn, have a good idea of how far you need to go for your pickup spot BEFORE the morning of, and make sure you're prepared for both warm and cold temperatures. Hobbiton is completely outside in the sun while Waitomo is underground and decently cold.
If my partner and I could give this company an even higher rating, we absolutely would! It meant the world to us to do this once in a lifetime experience with a service that was so well-organized. We are extremely grateful to David and Auckland Scenic Tours as a whole for providing an above and beyond service for us to two of NZ's most stunning locations. My favorite thing about this service is that they insist on taking the scenic route down from Auckland so that you can see the countryside of NZ, which is absolutely stunning (especially at dawn)!
Some things you can expect just to be prepared--be ready to wake up at the crack of dawn, have a good idea of how far you need to go for your pickup spot BEFORE the morning of, and make sure you're prepared for both warm and cold temperatures. Hobbiton is completely outside in the sun while Waitomo is underground and decently cold.
If my partner and I could give this company an even higher rating, we absolutely would! It meant the world to us to do this once in a lifetime experience with a service that was so well-organized. We are extremely grateful to David and Auckland Scenic Tours as a whole for providing an above and beyond service for us to two of NZ's most stunning locations. My favorite thing about this service is that they insist on taking the scenic route down from Auckland so that you can see the countryside of NZ, which is absolutely stunning (especially at dawn)!
Written 23 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DavidS23368
Gorgeous photo! I sense by both of your smiles that you loved your day and your detailed comments reinforce that even more so. We loved you commenting on the route that we take as we believe that this, apart from our tour guides, is a major point of difference. So many guests say that the route that we have specially designed is an attraction it itself. We get right off the motorways for most of the day onto the quaint country roads so that we can showcase the stunning and ever changing landscape of this region.
We loved reading " If my partner and I could give this company an even higher rating, we absolutely would! It meant the world to us to do this once in a lifetime experience with a service that was so well-organized."
We pride ourselves on our organization, communication and our wider team. We want to ensure that every guest on any of our 20 tours has a very special experience that they will treasure for a long, long time. You also have some very special photos that you will look back on with absolute pleasure. Thank you for taking the time to describe our tour and your experience in such detail. Best wishes and thank you sincerely for choosing our tour.
Written 28 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
787KMuhl
Houston, TX29 contributions
Feb. 2020
We enjoyed out trip but there are a few things about which you should be aware.
First. If you are staying at a downtown hotel, call them and advise of which hotel. They willgive you instructions of when to be in the lobby. Please be prompt.
Second. there is very little open for breakfast before 06:30! You will not get an opportunity to eat for a couple hours. Ask for the location of a grocery store (Countdown) and lay in some food.
Third. This is a very long day. We spent nearly six hours on the van. The van is clean and comfortable. But the roads can be very windy. We sat over the rear axle so that did not help things. But I am very tall and wanted the leg room.
Our driver, Matt, did a great job looking after everyone and giving briefings about what we were seeing, the country side the economy etc.
I would not recommend this for children due to the lenght of the day.
The quides at Hobbiton were good, some better than others as it was not difficult to hear them. 33-40% of visitors have not read the books or seen the movie! If you have not, you should.
Were were there the day after Founders day. We probably benefitted from people taking a long weekend so traffic and the crowds were lighter. These places are very popular!
The glow worms are an interesting phenomina that you won't see anywhere else. But it involves a lot of standing and going up and down a lot of stairs in very dim light. Mobility challenged, take note.
The end.
First. If you are staying at a downtown hotel, call them and advise of which hotel. They willgive you instructions of when to be in the lobby. Please be prompt.
Second. there is very little open for breakfast before 06:30! You will not get an opportunity to eat for a couple hours. Ask for the location of a grocery store (Countdown) and lay in some food.
Third. This is a very long day. We spent nearly six hours on the van. The van is clean and comfortable. But the roads can be very windy. We sat over the rear axle so that did not help things. But I am very tall and wanted the leg room.
Our driver, Matt, did a great job looking after everyone and giving briefings about what we were seeing, the country side the economy etc.
I would not recommend this for children due to the lenght of the day.
The quides at Hobbiton were good, some better than others as it was not difficult to hear them. 33-40% of visitors have not read the books or seen the movie! If you have not, you should.
Were were there the day after Founders day. We probably benefitted from people taking a long weekend so traffic and the crowds were lighter. These places are very popular!
The glow worms are an interesting phenomina that you won't see anywhere else. But it involves a lot of standing and going up and down a lot of stairs in very dim light. Mobility challenged, take note.
The end.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DavidS23368
Thank you for these lovely comments about our tour. Yes, we pick up/drop off from all Downtown CBD accommodation whether it be hotels, BNBs, Backpackers. Normally our guests will put this on their booking and we then communicate with them upon receipt of their booking, advising them their pick up time and other arrangements for their tour. We additionally remind them the day before so that there is always a very good communication process as you would have experienced.
You are right that it is an early start and our guests later on are grateful for this as not only is it important that we miss the peak hour morning traffic exiting Auckland (there is only 1 way south) otherwise what should take 30 minutes can otherwise take 2 -3 times this; but the upside is that when we arrive at Hobbiton our guests basically have the Movie Set to themselves before the 3,000-4,000 that visit daily arrive. Our guests then love how they can slowly meander around the Set getting the absolute best photos.
The 2 attractions (Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves) are a couple of hours south of Auckland, so if you want to go to Hobbiton etc, it is a 2 hour drive. You can't change this. Peter Jackson deliberately chose this location literally in the middle of nowhere; but we negate this by for 80% of the day getting right off the truck laden and congested highways and travel on the spectacular and ever changing landscape of our beuatiful country roads which so many of our guests comment on is one of the highlights of their day. We showcase the scenery of this area with a couple of the roads having scarcely a car which often affords us the best opportunity to see some of our native birdlife. We want you to just sit back in the luxury of one of our Mercedes-Benz vehicles with the very large viewing windows and enjoy this scenery.
Interestingly we host so many families with young children; and yes you can't escape this is a long day but for those with limited time in Auckland you get to see the 2 most famous attractions in New Zealand in 1 Day.
Almost 1 Million visitors go to Hobbiton annually and interestingly 1/2 have never watched a movie or read a Tolkein book and you don't have to have done either to enjoy this absolutely magical and enchanting tour. Clearly also we have LOTR fans who have watched the movies multiple time and they marvel at seeing the Set come alive in front of their eyes.
I am pleased you loved the Waitomo Glowworm Caves as this natural phenomenon is like nothing you can see anywhere else and isn't the boat ride towards the end just awe-inspiring when you are on the river in the caverns of the Caves with the Milky Way of Glowworms shining down on you. Yes, there are some steps as you mention but rememebr you are descending into Caves. Thank you for your lovely comments and choosing our tour. Best wishes for 2020
Written 8 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Samantha K
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia103 contributions
Mar. 2020 • Couples
Hobbiton was great (regardless of whether you’re a fan) and the Waitomo glow worm caves, albeit a little underwhelming, is still a worth a visit if you’re interested in bioluminescent organisms. Our guide Dwain is wonderful; he is honest, well organised, provided clear communication and enough space to explore and rest where needed. He was also quite informative with great little tid bits along our journey. I sometimes suffer from motion sickness and his driving was pretty smooth, even around the windy areas. It’s a beautiful scenic drive, New Zealand is really gorgeous. We were quite lucky to have an eclectic, small and friendly group of travellers with us which made the experience even more enjoyable. Dwain gave great suggestions of other things to do for those of us who were staying on in Auckland for a little while longer. Thanks Dwain for an awesome day!
Written 12 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DavidS23368
Thank you for these lovely comments about our tour and one of our tour guides. We particularly appreciated you commenting on the driving of our tour guide. For our Company, your personal safety and the safety of your possessions are our #1 prirotiy. Our tours always are secondary.
You are so right that you don't have to be a LOTR fan to enjoy this magical tour; in fact half the 1 Million visitors that go to Hobbiton annually have never watched one of the Movies or read one of the Tolkein books and you don't have to have done either to enjoy this simply enchanting and magical tour.
Was interested in your comments on the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. I personally, like so many thousands of our guests, say this is the best part of their whole time in New Zealand. The serentiy and tranquilty leaves you spellbound. Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour and best wishes
Written 16 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Veronica_rhdc
Wilmington, DE52 contributions
Jan. 2020
Let me start off by saying- I have never seen the Hobbit or the Lord of the Rings movies, but this tour was still very cool and 100% worth it. You start the day driving to the location where Hobbiton is which is about 2 and a half hours, you do the 9am tour which involves traveling via a bus to the site then a tour guide walks with you and lets you take pictures as tour the set. After viewing the set and being able to get a picture inside one of the Hobbit cave things you end at the pub place (maybe it was called the Green Dragon) where you are offered a complimentary beer, cider or ginger beer. I recommend you use the time before you start your tour to check out shops as there is not a lot of time after the tour. Next you go with your guide back to the bus then drive another hour and get a complimentary lunch about 10 minutes from the Glow Worm Caves. You complete the tour (where you are strictly not allowed to photograph inside the cave) and then head back to the bus drive an hour and stop at a rest stop where they serve ice cream. My only compliant about this tour was that the bus (or large van) did not have charging outlets- I did the Auckland scenic tour the day before with the same company which was much shorter of a tour and their bus/van had the outlets in them.
Written 31 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DavidS23368
Thank you for these lovely comments and also for choosing 2 of our signature tours; the Hobbiton/Waitomo Caves Combo Tour and also our Full Day Tour of Auckland which , as you experienced, is widely regarded as the most comprehensive tour of Auckland.
As you comment, it is interesting that half the 1 Million visitors that go to Hobbiton have never read a Tolkein book or watched one of the movies and you don't have to have done either as you experienced first hand. You would have marvelled at the detail and how well manicured and maintained the Set is. I sense also that you took so many photos that you will treasure and look back on fondly. You are right that inside the Caves you cannot take photos; with the best camera being your eyes; the reason for this is that the Glowworms react negatively to light and will turn their lights totally off and it can take some 2 hours for them to return to their full luminesence. You would have been in awe of the cosmos of Gloworms shining down on you. Is their any more magical place that sitting in the boat on the river gliding silently through the caverns of the Caves with the milky way of Glowworms shining down on you. Yes, all our Mercedes vehicles except one have charging sockets in each seat; except one which has a centralized unit up front that you may not have been made aware of. Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour and best wishes for the rest of 2020
Written 2 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
may_illinois
Chicago, IL26 contributions
What time is pick up time?
Bob V
Austin, TX557 contributions
We were the final pickup of the morning at 6:30 a.m., so where you fall on the pickup order could vary. But expect an early morning because it's a long drive.
冠崴 王
Sanchong, New Taipei
Attendee: 2 adults, 1 kid (3-years-old)
After I book the tour, will you notify WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES? The description below is from their website.
Besides the tickets, will you charge the corresponding for the 3-year-old kid? If the answer is "yes", how much is it?
Do you have the seat for the kid in the bus?
Are kids free?
Under 4-year-olds go free, but they must be booked to secure a place on tour.
SkydivingSkier
Las Vegas, NV169 contributions
This tour is not suited for a 3 year old.
Nindita
Jakarta, Indonesia2 contributions
is there time to shop for souvenirs at the green dragon inn?
J-at-Orange
Orange County, CA7 contributions
There is plenty of time to shop at the souvenir shop both at the beginning and end of the tour at Hobbiton.
JILL G
3 contributions
Why did you charge my card? the site said reserve now and pay later? I was planning to pay later when the trip gets closer and my plans are set.
Sara K
Exeter, UK
What would you recommend wearing for this tour? (I’m going mid February)
BillElaine K
2 contributions
We just returned ( Feb 2020), all you need is a light jacket. We normally wear shorts but on this trip, jeans were perfect.
jeffrey l
Redlands, CA
Good morning,
We would love to book this tour but I see your tour starts at 6:30 am. My family ,4 adults, arrive Sunday March 22 at 6am NZ flt #5 from Los Angeles. Not sure how long it takes to get out of the airport. Is there anyway we can book this tour and leave from the airport? Thank you for your help. Jeff
Patrick M
1 contribution
Sorry you would not make it. In any event it is a very long day which after a very long flight I would strongly not recommend. That said very much enjoy the day. Patrick
Melissa Laura
2 contributions
Hi why does your ad say $289.11 pp but then when I go to purchase 2 tickets it then changes to $303.56 pp? Your add is very misleading as it then adds an extra $14.45 pp without stating why?
Christy
1 contribution
If you look at the calendar to pick the date it gives prices per date.
angelabaja
Denver, CO
Hello! I saw that the information said minimum age is 4 years old.
I will be traveling with my husband and a 2 year old and we were considering this tour.
Does this mean we cannot go with out 2 year old? Would you make an exception if the 2 year old with with adults?Thanks!
thebucketllister
Bloomington, MN175 contributions
I agree . You would have to contact them direct. It was just a van with limited space and I'm not sure that is suitable for a child or infant.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
