Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip From Auckland Incl Lunch

Although the trek is long, it’s super informative and well worth it. If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, it’s a must see.

Really good value, amazing guide - Rachel, and wonderful experiences both at Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

We had a really fun time at the Glowworms cave and Hobbiton tour. The glowworms were celestial. The Hobbiton movie tour was beautiful and informative.

This was an amazing adventure for our family from the US. Nelson, our tour guide, did a terrific job and shared lots of great tidbits about the sites we were going to visit and things we passed on our van ride. The glow worm caves were magical and Hobbiton was stunning! A great way to spend the day. Thank you!

Steven was such a fantastic guide. He was knowledgeable about the sites we saw. Was a very kind and helpful man. He explained all the details of each tour (Hobbiton and Waitomo) what to do and where to go. I loved that it was a small group. The people we were either were wonderful. Lunch was included and delicious with many options. Overall this was a fantastic tour I would do again

This tour was an awesome combination of two really iconic venues within a couple hours of Auckland - The habit and movie said and glowworm caves.

Very good day, tour guided very knowledgeable. Fantastic views to see there and back. Lunch stop was nice. Would definitely recommend going on this tour

This was an amazing and magical experience! The guide we had for Hobbiton was actually from the US, but really knew her stuff. The visit made me want to see both trilogies again. The Waitomo Caves was a wonderful experience. The glow worms looked like millions of stars on a clear night. The driver (I wish I had written down his name) was delightful and informative - really added value for our tour. I would highly recommend this tour and would definitely do it again, if I had the opportunity!

OMG! You should not miss this tour when going to NZ! From the driver/tourguide to the attractions themselves, EXCELLENT! 11/10!!! It was such an AMAZING TOUR! RACHEL our tourguide/driver is the BEST!

Everything was well organised. The tour guide shared a wealth of information and surprised us with some unique experiences along the way.

We had a lovely adventure at Hobbiton movie set and waitomo cave glowmorms. Our tour guide- Danny was very accommodating and caring.

I’ll start with our guide, Brenda, she was fabulous! She was a safe driver, gave good info, and dinner recommendations on the drive back to Auckland. The Hobbiton tour was wonderful! Again info was great but the care and detail they take is impressive. The Waitomo Caves are very special and every visitor should have the experience to learn about such a sacred place. George was the best tour guide for the caves.

Our driver Mike was so friendly and excellent. Very hospitable and knowledgeable. Dom at the Hobbiton experience was very fun. Tammy at the cave was so engaging. Thank you for making my solo travel so worth it.

Extremely informative from the moment we boarded the bus. Our driver Mike provided a great deal of information about the locations along the way and the history of some of the places.

A must do experience. Hobbiton and the glowworm were such a holiday highlight. With this combo you get to do it whilst napping in the bus and getting food/coffee along the way. Wouldn't recommend any other way.

This was a great tour, the tour operator was knowledgeable and kept us on track and in time for all activities. The Hobbiton was really interesting and loved seeing all the small hobbit houses built into the hills. It rained but it they had umbrellas and it really didn't matter as we were still able to do all the tour.

Even if you are not a Hobbit fan, this is worth seeing. The movie set and background information was really good. Being able to walk through an actual home was great. The glow worm cave was informative and different. I've been in many U.S. caves and this was different. Won't give any spoilers, but very interesting. The walk out showed more native foliage.

Everything was tip top. Our guide, Nelson was the best. He cater to all our needs and answered all our questions. Highly recommend this tour

These were 2 activities that we were trying to squeeze. This tour worked it out perfectly. Danny was a great tour guide, giving us a lot of information and timed everything well.

This tour was a blast, we all loved it and our guide was really great. It's so nice to just sit back and relax and let the guide take you to all the fun places. The lunch provided wasn't amazing and the pickup time was really early but other than that everything was great.

A great experience. The movie set was amazing except for the rain but that made it feel more real. Over all awesome.

This is a great trip. I can’t recommend it enough. If you are a LOTR fan this is a no brainer, but even if you aren’t I believe you’ll be able to enjoy the experience. Adding on the Waitomo Caves is a great experience to add onto the journey. I also have to say that our guide Liam was excellent and made the drive fun.

Dynamic duo tour of Hobbiton and Waitomo caves! Hobbiton was amazingly beautiful and so detailed. The opportunity to go through a Hobbit home was beyond expectations! Kate at Hobbiton was fun and so bubbly. Could have stayed even longer at the Green Dragon to listen to music and have a beverage. Incredible! Waitimo caves are rich in history and glow worms are very unique. Danny at Auckland Scenic Tours was exceptionally helpful in giving recommendations for additional travels. Drove well and very informative. Also enjoyed Danny at Waitimo Caves. Very informative and funny. Very memorable day!

Mike was an excellent guide and driver. The visit to Hobbiton is must see for Lord of the Rings fans. Having a drink at the Green Dragon was fun. Going inside an interactive Hobbit hole was unexpected and so much fun. The Waitimo Glowworm caves were unusual and our guide Steven made it special by singing a Maori love song in the darkened Cathedral cave. The glow worms light up like stars in a dark night sky. Don't miss this tour!

The tour was good, our driver Rachel was the best. So easy to talk to, knowledgeable and fun to engage with. The destinations as expected, the food stop was great but I wish it was disclosed that the van doesn’t play music. It makes for an awkward time having to be in the van for hours, especially the early morning pick ups when no one is talking and everyone has fallen back to sleep, so all you can hear is deep breathing and snoring. I would suggest there be a disclosure notice and reminder for people to bring headphones to listen to their own music since the van isn’t allowed to play music.

Worth every second, cannot recommend enough. We were on the tour for Hobbiton and were blown away by the Waitomo experience too…it was a heart filling 💗

We had a great time with Mike! On time, efficient, and very very with us. Old and have trouble walking. Highly recommend.

Loved the Hobbiton and Glow Worm Caves experience! Liam was a really amazing tour guide. So friendly, thoughtful, and knowledgeable. Thanks for the great tour!

The entire day was incredible; from the moment we got picked up, all the way to drop off. Our tour guide was Mike and he was energetic and helpful the entire day! He even helped clarify some questions I had via phone call before picking us up. His arrival was very punctual and he kept us entertained throughout the long rides. This trip allowed us to check a huge box off our list and see Hobbiton!

We had a fantastic day visiting the Hobbiton and later the Waitomo Cave. Our tour guide Mike is funny, friendly, attentive and very helpful throughout the entire journey . He told us about the local culture along the way and we’ve learned so much from him. The Hobbiton tour runs very well and we got to visit the sets. The Waitomo cave’s glow worm is an amazing natural wonder and also a must see. The fact that this tour covers both of them with lunch included and having Mike as our guide makes this so worth it. Highly recommended!

This was incredible. Never was a huge fan but now I am . It was so much fun and so beautiful and everything was so great. Could not have enjoyed it more I am a total fan now. The apple cider at green dragon was fantastic!

This was an absolutely fantastic day trip and one I would highly recommend! It was an early start, but well worth it. Our guide, Mike, was prompt with the hotel pickup, extremely informative, and clearly passionate about his job. The six-hour round-trip drive to Hobbiton offered beautiful New Zealand scenery, and Mike’s safety-conscious driving and excellent organization made the journey comfortable and enjoyable. The included lunch was a welcome addition to the day, making the tour even more convenient and allowing us to relax and recharge between these incredible experiences. Seeing the Lord of the Rings film set in person was amazing! The Shire is absolutely gorgeous, with incredible attention to detail that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped straight into the movies. Our Hobbiton guide, Cory, was informative, friendly, and helpful throughout the tour. The complimentary beer stop at the Green Dragon Inn was a wonderful touch and the perfect way to soak up the atmosphere of the Shire! Our visit to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves was equally memorable. Our Māori guide was extremely knowledgeable and deeply passionate about his culture, sharing a real appreciation for the history of the caves and the importance of respecting this special place. The boat ride through the darkness, gazing up at millions of glowing worms, was almost a spiritual experience. It felt like looking up at a clear night sky filled with stars — truly magical! From the beautiful scenery and exceptional guides to the included lunch and two unforgettable attractions, this tour was extremely well organized and delivered an incredible day of experiences. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Auckland! It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience two of New Zealand’s most iconic attractions in one memorable day.

Wear walking shoes! Great tour bus, charging outlets for phones. Danny our tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful, made everyone feel comfortable. Would highly recommend, Hobbiton was like a storybook and the Waitomo caves was really cool to see and experience. The provided lunch was very good and the ice cream run at the end a nice touch.

What a fun and unforgetable day. Our guide Liam was fantastic, everything went smoothly. A must do tour for all LOTR fans.

Liam was a great host; funny, interactive, and willing to provide recommendations. Starting off, he had each member of the group introduce themselves, creating a sense of family between the members of the group, leading us to interact with each other more. Following that, he provided great commentary and knowledge regarding New Zealand on our way to and from our tour points. Ollie, our tour guide for the Hobbiton movie sets, was very knowledgeable regarding the filming process, the set, and LotR in general. One member of our group asked questions about several things, and Ollie was able to give answers along with additional information. Wip was a great tour guide of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. He was knowledgeable, giving us facts about the Glowworms that we were not aware of. He was also quite funny, loosening up the group with jokes about the caves and glowworms.

Fantastic tour, the Hobbiton Movie set and the Waitomo Cave with Glow Worms are both gorgeous destinations that exceeded my expectations. The Mercedes Tour bus was immaculately maintained. Our driver/tour guide is a great driver and experienced guide. Highly recommend this tour and Brenda.

We had a wonderful experience with our tour guide Matt. It was one of the best tour in my life.

I had a wonderful experience visiting Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves! Our tour guide, Danny, was absolutely amazing. He shared fascinating insights about the various sights along the way, along with plenty of fun facts that made the journey even more enjoyable. The entire tour was exceptionally well-organised, comfortable, and safe. The little stop for ice cream was an added delight and made the experience even more special. I would highly recommend booking through Viator for anyone looking for a smooth, hassle-free, and memorable travel experience. A big thank you to Danny for making this trip so enjoyable!

Perfect Day. Well organized, Nelson was kind, accomodating and safe. Thanks for a memorable day. Thanks Nelson

Amazing experience. The weather was nice so that helped too but the place was spectacular. TRACEY, our tour guide, was so funny and made all of us feel comfortable and have good time. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Couldn’t have asked for a better guide than Matt! We visited Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves during our honeymoon, and we were so lucky to have Matt as our guide! Matt was incredibly kind, warm, and funny, and also a great driver. He shared lots of interesting stories about New Zealand, its history, local culture, and even current affairs. We learned so much from him, and the drives were genuinely enjoyable. We also had a lovely group of people from all over the world, and Matt made everyone feel comfortable and welcome. He has a great sense of humor and a natural way of bringing people together, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. When he found out we were on our honeymoon, he congratulated us and wished us well in our marriage. It was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture, and we really appreciated it. We had a wonderful day, and Matt was a big part of what made it so special. Thank you so much, Matt! We’d happily recommend this tour, especially with Matt as your guide!

Unbelievable experience and a very good tour guide. I truly enjoyed the tour and I had tte best tour guide. Kuddos👏 to Danny

Great day trip to see the Hobbiton movie set and Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. My driver/guide, Nelson, picked me up at exactly the specified time, and an early start gave us time to see both sites without rushing. Nelson had everything perfectly planned, from pick-up to rest stops and arriving to our destinations with time to shop and refresh. What I really appreciated about Nelson was his personal attention to each guest. On pick up, he asked questions to get to know us, then referred back to specific details when introducing the group to each other. Nelson’s personal commentaries helped pass the two hours of driving time, plus gave us insight into personal details about the guests we were traveling with. The Hobbiton movie set was absolutely beautiful, with tiny hobbit holes surrounded by beautiful gardens. Our guide, Anna, was giving her first ever tour, and she did a smashingly good job. Anna queried the group on hobbit story details while pointing out specific areas where key scenes were shot. At the end of the walking tour, we were treated to a complementary drink in true hobbit fashion—beer or sparking ciders. Nelson was present immediately upon completion of the Hobbiton tour and rounded us up in the most nonchalant manner. Next, a stop for the included lunch. This could have been a chaotic experience, but because Nelson front loaded us all with the details on how to order, it went smoothly and without a hitch. We only had 25 minutes to get our food and eat, but it turned out to be an ample amount of time. Our final destination, the glow caves, was another wonderful experience. We were seamlessly handed off to capable local guide who led us on a short walk into the caves, then on a slow moving cruise down an underground river with the lights from the tiny glow worms shining in the stalagmite above like stars in the sky. Upon exit from the boat, Nelson once again appeared, eager to assist the group with photo orders, shopping, and leading us back to the van. I dreaded the long van ride back to Auckland after such a busy day of travel, but Nelson once again pulled through with local stories and a stop for ice cream along the way. I highly recommend this tour and hope you are fortunate to have Nelson as your driver and local New Zealand guide. A big thank you to Nelson and Auckland Scenic Tours for a wonderful day of exploration!

The experience with viator specially with Steven our tour guide have been pleasant and considerate to our group even made the effort to pick us up and dropped off on our accommodation. Steven have been wonderful all day. The experience is indeed an adventure we will appreciate and remember. Will definitely will go with viator team on our next New Zealand tour.

Great experience, Rachel was a fantastic guide.

Well organized and informative. Brenda our driver was friendly and made the experience special. Throughout she allowed everyone sufficient time to meet their needs and expectations were met. The rest stops are well timed and informative about the area and local food was delicious. Big shout to Brenda

Beautiful experience! The best tour that we have done in New Zealand. Our tour guide Danny was truly amazing! He made us all feel so very special.

Our tour guide Liam was an absolute superstar. Made the whole trip all the more enjoyable with his extensive knowledge and humour to keep us entertained on the drive. I went in to the tour with very minimal knowledge of the Lord of The Rings movie but still enjoyed all of the beauty of Hobbiton. The Waitomo caves probably weren’t something I would have visited had it not been part of this day trip but I am so glad it was. Seeing a historic, hidden natural beauty like that with very knowledgeable guides who take you through. This is a tour you 100% need to do when you’re in Auckland!

It was an amazing day- the glowworm cave was otherworldly and such a surprise! Hobbiton was a must see because it is so much more than we expected! Rachel was so friendly and accommodating - we felt like family!