Auckland To Hobbiton Movie Set And Rotorua's Geothermal Valley

Amazing experience with Auckland & Beyond Tours! Everything was well organised, enjoyable and memorable. Special thanks to Raymond for being such a knowledgeable, friendly and entertaining guide. His passion made the trip even more special. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting New Zealand! 🇳🇿😊

Wonderful experience with Raymond! Absolutely exceeded my expectations and was especially memorable spending with my family. Since all the guided tour was booked and paid in advance whole journey was smooth! Yes it’s an early start but it means sleeping on comfortable van, with small group that makes it more cozy

Geoff was amazing! He understood our needs and made the tour truly worthwhile and fun. He provided us with all the essential information and helpful tips for the tour. He is such a friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable guide. We truly appreciate his excellent service and highly recommend him! 😊❤️

What an amazing day trip away from Auckland! I was staying in Sydney and decided to hop on the plane to NZ just to mix things up a bit. Looking at TripAdvisor, this trip was quite popular and so I booked it! John was an excellent driver and super knowledgeable during our rides. It was the perfect mix of culture, fantasy and natural wonders!

A big thank you to Raymond for a fantastic tour to Hobbiton! Your knowledge, warm hospitality and enthusiasm made the experience so enjoyable. We really appreciated all the interesting insights and had an amazing time. Highly recommend!

We had a fabulous time. Adil was an amazing guide. We learned a lot and enjoyed the pace of the activities

We went on the Hobbiton and Rotorua group tour with Auckland & Beyond. We were picked up on-time 6.20am and greeted by Gabrielle - our friendly driver. It was about a 2 hour drive to Hobbiton during which Gabrielle shared interesting local information, general chat, and played some music to keep us comfortable. The guides at Hobbiton were lovely, informative, and offered to take photos of us. The was well placed and the sets and scenery were beautiful. The Rotorua portion shared the magic of the area which, for me, is the local Maori culture and the Rotorua Lake. I wish we had more time to explore the area but most our time here was in the Te Puia Geothermal Park which was very exciting. Thank you to Riley our guide there for your information. It was also my first ever sitting of Kiwi Birds. Thank you to everyone.

It was an amazing experience and one that was comfortable and a lot of fun! John the driver was the absolute best that made the whole experience run smooth

Nancy was absolutely amazing. There for us every step of the way with very interesting commentary and extremely organized. We didn’t have to worry about any logistics as we were in excellent hands. Highly recommend the Rotorua/Hobbiton day tour!!

Nancy was the most wonderful tour guide. Super knowledgeable and witty and very chill. The tour was exceptional. So much to see in a day but we were relaxed and happy as Larry! Thanks Nancy from your two Irish girls ☘️

Ask for Nansy! What this previous Californian doesn’t know about kiwis is not worth hearing about 😆

John was fantastic. He made a very long day really fun. I really enjoyed his insights along the tour.

Three generations (my parents, husband, kids—17 & 15–and I) enjoyed our excursions to Rotorua and Hobbiton immensely! Our group included four others (a married couple and two sisters) as well as our guide Jon, who narrated during our drive to share interesting information about NZ and the sights we were admiring (such as the magical low mist from which Aotearoa got its name), gave updates on our progress toward our activities, and answered the questions everyone asked along the way. The van seats twelve, including the driver and front passenger seats. The rest of the seats are in a 3/3/4 configuration. I found the seats comfortable and some of us even took some cat naps during the excursion. We were provided with bottled water and snacks like crisps/chips and cookies. It’s a very full day. 12 hours is an accurate estimate (with traffic, our RT was a bit longer, but also Jon was great about allowing us all time to shop for souvenirs at our respective stops, which adds minutes here and there but made the day more personal/special). He also brought us to a wonderful lunch spot between Rotorua and Hobbiton that was peaceful and featured delicious burgers and chips/fries! Te Puia in Rotorua was fantastic. Our guide, Moi, had such charm and engaging energy—not to mention a wealth of knowledge. The tour there is about 1.5 hours. We loved seeing kiwi and were lucky to see the geysers shoot water up high, with the winds bringing the mist to us! We appreciated learning more about the natural wonders and Māori customs/traditions and history. Hobbiton was a whimsical, gorgeous dreamscape. Not all of those in our group had seen the movie or read the books—but the clips featured on the bus coupled with the incredible details of the set made permanent and the beauty of the farmland captivated us all nonetheless. It was so much fun to explore do 2.5 hours, including our time in a hobbit home that is fully furnished and made to be touched/enjoyed. Because Jon took care of everything—checking us in at the stops; pointing us to shops, toilets, places to get snacks or treats; guiding us to assembly or queue areas; giving us preview info of what to expect; gathering us after—we could simply relax and enjoy the experiences. Having him drive allowed us more rest/relaxation time, which was a treat. Best of all, Jon clearly enjoys being a guide and aims to ensure everyone is comfortable and having the best time possible. He was a definite highlight of our day (so much so that my mom gave him a thank you hug at the end). This was definitely one of the best days on an amazing vacation!

It was a great trip. Seeing the Geysers was spectacular, the kiwis we saw 2 out of 3. And being there early to watch the start of the Māori demonstration was great. Where Jon(without an H) took us for lunch was delicious. It was an unexpected treat. Hobbiton was incredible. No wonder Peter Jackson picked this site. The little houses were so detailed and the one we could go in was amazing. Jon was very friendly and approachable, very knowledgeable and gave us many interesting nuggets of information. I appreciated when he pointed out the mist hanging and how Aotearoa got its name. He was calm when a hiccup occurred, just dealt with it and moved on. He ensured that everyone had got what they wanted from the day. He drove with considerable care especially on the way home when everyone was sleeping.

I went with my family and Nancy took great care of us. She explained the surroundings amazingly and drove the van really well. Overall really good experience.

We travelled in a big group of 7 adults and 2 kids and Nancy took care of us so well. She was very entertaining and knowledgable and drove amazingly. We had a great time getting to know NZ history and local insider culture. We were looking for help in booking another unrelatted tour for the day and she went out of her way to look into it for us. Very helpful and very warm. Thanks Nancy and beyond tours team.

What a day! Yes, a 12 hour tour seems like a long time but this tour was worth it! The thermals were amazing but the highlight was Hobbiton! What an experience! Beautiful location and an amazing place to visit. A must see while in New Zealand!

It was very organised and the staffs are always on time.

Fantastic day out David our guide and driver was fantastic.

Enjoyed visiting the different locations. The tour guide was very professional and informative. She was very informative and interesting.

Fantastic scenery! Wonderful snacks! Smooth drive! Great atmosphere! Our guide Warren was extremely informative & very friendly. Feeling inspired to return to Rotorua after an enlightening day with the Māori people at Te Puia. Hobbiton was an absolute delight! Great cafe stop on the way to Rotorua! Definitely try the apple & walnut Chelsea Bun (recommended by Warren). Kia Ora!!!

The Rotorua and Hobbiton tour was such an amazing experience. My friend and I were kids again going through the movie set, hobbit houses and green areas. It’s been my dream to visit Hobbiton since I watched the first LOTR about 25 years ago. We became friends with other three tour members. That was nice. The weather was perfect, the location and set up of the grounds was so gorgeous. It was a dream come true to be there in person. The Rotorua hot springs tour was so unique. Seeing the forces of nature and the remnants of volcanic activity was a gift of nature. We got to experience de the geyser shooting up in the sky at 30 feet high. That was a mesmerizing experience. Our tour driver and guide on the road, Geoff, was the best! He was I formative, cordial, polite, and super friendly. We all in the van enjoyed so much having him as our tour driver. I recommend this tour. You won’t be disappointed, guaranteed! Thank you for such a great time in New Zealand. I’m already planning my next trip!

Top activities in New Zealand! Our driver was outstanding. Best tour we have ever done. Well worth the money.

I had a great day tour with two friends even though the weather was raining at times. Clint our tour guide was very knowledgeable about cultural and history of the area. Both Rotorua and Hobbiton was really worth visiting and I would happily do this tour again. Eva JM

We were a party of three, and had an wonderful trip despite the weather. Clint was a professional and friendly tour guide, with lots of historical and cultural information. Clint ensured we were always looked after and the best driver we had in NZ ( we've had some .scary drivers). The tour van was in excellent conditions and very clean. The Hobbitan set was amazing, the detail and layout was easy to see and enjoy. Our guide Anne was entertaining and was very informative. Our trip to Rotorua was excellent, with Cody excelling in his enthusiasm and knowledge. I would highly recommend this tour and especially if you get Clint. thank you Clint for a most enjoable day.

Nice trip we enjoyed it very much it was worth the money . It took all day from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm . It was raining on the day but the guide provided the amberellas . The trip was well organised and timed The tour guide Nancy was lovely, funny so knowledgeable she added more fun to our trip

Absolutely fantastic tour! Experienced the wonders of the geysers at Te Puia, the Maori culture and the fascinating kiwi sanctuary where I was able to see 3 kiwi birds! Then on to the amazing scenery of Hobbiton! Had the most delicious lamb & rosemary pie at the cafe before touring Hobbiton. But our driver, John, made the entire trip so much more enjoyable talking about history and many wonderful facts about the Auckland and Rototura areas. So glad I booked this fabulous tour! A great memory for my first time to New Zealand!

We went to Hobbiton and Rotorua. The trip was simply amazing. We saw a geyser eruption and the Te Puie Museum in Rotorua. The whole family absolutely loved Hobbiton. It was a wonderful experience to be immersed in the world of Tolkien. Thanks to the guide.

It was a fabulous experience and Raymond has been the best in explaining everything to us! Hobbiton is a must visit place and you will love it!

Auckland & Beyond Tours really came to our rescue and delivered an amazing experience for our family that was one of the highlights of our trip. When our previously booked tour did not show up to our hotel for pick up, we thought we couldn't make the Hobbiton tour happen on this trip. However Auckland & Beyond Tours came through with openings via Everything NZ. Communication prior to the tour date was easy and clear. Dave, our guide and driver for the day, was super nice and attentive to all the guests. He was kind and patient with our two kids and made sure to give us helpful tips on both segments of the tours. And provided us some great insight into everyday life in New Zealand. Thank you!

Wonderful experience a must do excursion. Worth your money. A long day but worth it. The driver was so friendly and very informative.

Had a great time going to see Hobbiton and Rotorua with John as our tour guide! John is super friendly, has a great sense of humour and got us to all the places we needed to be at the right time even with traffic delays. Totally recommend John and this tour group if you don’t want the stress and hassle of organising everything for yourself - well worth it! Also, the smaller group size makes it great for those of you who are solo travellers too! Thanks John for a great day out!

We had the most amazing day tour. Clint was our guide and he was really nice throughout the tour. He was knowledgeable and really friendly. Thanks team, we would really recommend anyone going to Auckland to go on this tour

Nancy was fantastic. Very informative guide. The whole journey didn’t feel long and was very comfortable coz she kept engaging us with so much of life experiences and way of living in NZ. Excellent guide to have…

Nancy is absolutely wonderful! She’s so kind and caring, we learned so many things for New Zealand and we had an amazing trip. I would highly recommend! Thank you, dear Nancy & Auckland & Beyond Tours!

Today I went to Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua's Geothernal Valley with Nancy as a tour guide. She was very friendly, polite, responsive, entertaining and shared with us valuable information, interesting facts and helpful recommendations. She organized the iternarary, the tickets, the visits, the breaks and the time very efficiently, precisely and adequately. The sites were extremely attractive, authentic and unique. The activity was not just a day tour but unparalleled and unforgetable experience. I strongly recommend checking these attractions out with Nancy by yourself. Do it!

I was able to secure a spot on the Hobbiton & Rotorua day tour at short notice, which I was very happy about given the high demand from all the tour operators. I was picked up directly from the hotel in the morning by Adil, our guide and driver. During the drive, he provided us with very informative insights into what was to come and New Zealand's history in general. His friendly and helpful support continued throughout the day – for example, by always making sure our group was in the best positions waiting for the tours. Because we were a very small group of only seven people, there were virtually no waiting times, allowing us to fully enjoy both attractions. During the tour of Te Puia in Rotorua, the local guide unfortunately made everything a bit too fast, leaving hardly any time to linger at the individual exhibits; however, this was the responsibility of the local organizers. The tour in Hobbiton was comprehensive – it was fantastic to see all the sets in person. Many things look much better and more spectacular in the film due to the editing than they do in reality... but hey, that's movies ;-). The tour inside one of the hobbit houses was particularly fantastic: they're decorated with so many details, you can't get enough of them. It's truly the best film set I've ever visited! All in all, despite the length – keep in mind the long travel times of up to 3 hours each way – it was a wonderful excursion, made possible by the professional organization of Auckland & Beyond Tours > highly recommended, thank you very much.

We had an amazing time visiting Rotorua and Hobbiton. Our guide Pablo was incredible, without him it wouldn’t have been the same! So gentle, generous and flexible. We are so amazed and so happy we did this!

We had a thoroughly enjoyable and excellent trip to Hobbiton and Rotorua Geothermal Valley from Auckland provided by Raymond who was very friendly, efficient and gave us insightful information throughout the trip and was accommodating to our needs. Definitely a day well spent and highly recommended. We wish Raymond all the best and hope to cross paths again in the near future.

I had an amazing experience with Auckland & Beyond Tours on our trip to Hobbiton and Te Puia! Everything was perfectly organised from start to finish. Dave, our guide from Auckland & Beyond, was fantastic — friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole journey enjoyable with his insights. At Hobbiton, Danni brought the movie set to life with her fun and engaging storytelling, and at Te Puia, Rebecca gave us a fascinating tour filled with cultural insights and warmth. It was such a memorable day, and I can’t recommend Auckland & Beyond Tours highly enough!

I had a great time on the tour, which took us to 2 amazing destinations from Auckland. Steven was an amazing and kind tour guide, which made the trip even better!

We had an amazing tour! Nancy was very knowledgeable and kept us entertained. Would highly recommend this tour for anyone traveling to Auckland.

Wonderful experience! Adil was our driver and guide - he knew everything and stopped by some beautiful places on our way back!

This was truly the best start to our New Zealand holiday! We were lucky to have Nancy as our tour guide and driver on the Hobbiton Movie Set/Rotorua/Te Puia day trip from Auckland. Nancy was very friendly, knowledgeable and relaxed and we were thoroughly introduced to historical and cultural aspects of New Zealand and the local area during the day. The day was perfectly timed at each location and we never felt rushed. Thank you to everyone involved in making our day so special, informative and so much fun. An unforgettable day, topped off with a Tip Top ice cream stop in Pokeno on our way home! Thank you Nancy! Just brilliant!

This was a very enjoyable and well planned out tour. Out tour guide Nancy was very informative and told us lots of information and the best part was it that it never got boring and on behalf of everyone on that tour it was worth every cent!

Chris & Nancy were great!! 100 / 100 recommend 🤍 They gave great explanation and amazing tour Nancy even stopped at some tourist points for us which was so kind of her🤍

Adil was amazing! His knowledge was extensive and informative. He had tips and did things to make the experience even better. He was positive and upbeat and seemed excited for us to enjoy these experiences.

Pick up on time. Love it because it was a small group in a luxury van. No lost time in non sense stops. Raymond our tour guide was amazing!

Nancy was a fabulous driver and guide. knowledgeable, smart, and world of facts. What a great asset for this tour group. l have visited 60 countries and she was the best guide I ever had.