Small-group Hobbiton And Waitomo Day Tour With Lunch From Auckland

Great trip but it is a long day, prepare for a long drive! The upside is you get to see the country side that is amazingly beautiful! Hobbiton is extraordinary 😎🥰 and the Glow Worms 🐛 are completely unique! Fun travels with Bush and Beach services!

I had a great experience !! I am so glad that we chose this tour !! Damian Sir was such a delight !! The food was great , and everything was so smooth !! Do not even think twice !! This is the best thing you will experience in New Zealand !! I will definitely visit again ♥️ thankyou for making our dream come true !!

Lovely tour all around. Hobbiton exceeded our expectations and was great fun! The grounds are amazing and going into a "hobbit hole" was a real experience. Such attention was given to the smallest detail. I am a huge fan of the books and all of the movies so I thoroughly enjoyed every facet of this experience. The buffet lunch was quite good as well as was the beer at the "Green Dragon". The next stop was the worm cave which also was above our expectation. So beautiful and fascinating. This tour was a bit more expensive but worth every penny. The icing on the cake was our wonderful tour guide Damien. He was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic that it made the long journey to and from a pleasure. He was a charming and delightful addition to a fantastic day! Thank you!

Wayne was our driver. He was a very pleasant gentleman with a lot of interesting information and good jokes. He made our day a very enjoyable experience

We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the Hobbiton tour! The local guide was great, so many hobbit houses, sets, etc to see! Lunch at the green dragon was delicious- full buffet with many choices. Favorites were the lamb stew, carved beef and the apple cobbler, but we liked everything we tried. The glow worm tour in the afternoon was also really cool. And we greatly appreciated our excellent drivers/ guides - Steve and Kelly. They were both so knowledgeable about the tours but also about New Zealand. We learned so much. They were great!! Highly recommend this tour & this company. Thank you!!

Bush and Beach was amazing. 10/10 service. The guys were all great

We came to New Zealand specifically to visit Hobbiton. Our guide, Damian, picked us up from our CBD hotel promptly and off we went. He told us so many interesting things about New Zealand and got us hyped up for our visit to Hobbiton. He had loads of tips on how to maximize our enjoyment of Hobbiton. He was professional but also friendly and personable. I felt like he was our friend by the end of the tour. He was a great story teller and told us how the location of Hobbiton was discovered. Great guide and overall a great experience, thank you!

My full day tour was exceptional, thanks mostly to our very knowledgeable guide Damian. He told us that Hobbiton would be memorable and he was not exaggerating. Damian's commentary during our travel time was both informative and entertaining. I would gladly recommend this to anyone.

We had an unforgettable day trip with Bush and Beach, traveling from Auckland to Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves in a private van. Communication with the company beforehand was prompt, professional, and friendly, which set the tone for the whole day. Our guide Damian made the trip truly special. He brought New Zealand’s history and culture to life with genuine warmth and knowledge, and the conversation flowed naturally throughout the day. On the way home, he made sure we got to try some amazing NZ ice cream, a lovely little touch that our family was very excited about. The van itself was very comfortable, and we’d highly recommend going the private car route if you’re traveling as a family. When one member of our party got sick and couldn’t join, the team worked hard to secure refunds for the entrance fees we missed, which we really appreciated. Between the quality of the experience and the level of care shown throughout, the value was excellent. We’d book with Bush and Beach again in a heartbeat, and would especially recommend requesting Damian if you’re able to.

My wife and I took this tour today while we were visiting the Auckland area. The day started at 6:30am where our driver, Ian, picked us up. On the way to Hobbiton, we stopped at a cafe for coffee and breakfast which we were able to take away and eat on the bus. On the way to Hobbiton, we were given a lot of great commentary from our guide who provided us with a lot of fun information. The tour at Hobbiton was fantastic which also included lunch, a drink at the Green Dragon as well as a $10 coupon for the gift shop. Our second stop was the glow worm cave which we also really enjoyed. I cannot recommend this tour enough when visiting Auckland. You will not be disappointed. Hopefully you get as lucky as we were with Ian as your guide!

Really enjoyed this tour. We were the first pickup at 630 in the morning so the 800am stop at the coffee cafe was great. We were able to use the restroom, snag a coffee, and get a breakfast sandwich and bring it back in the van. Ian, our guide, was fantastic! Great drive, enjoyed the commentary along the ride and great conversation. Hobbiton was incredible. The tour was great with a guided walk, drink at the green dragons and a lunch! Although you are not able to take photos inside the caves until the end, we really really enjoyed the glow worm caves as well.

We had a wonderful trip to Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves . Damian was an excellent guide. He took care of every detail . The timing was perfect. We learned about NewZealand along the way . We highly recommend this trip .

Wonderful tour. We took the tour of Hobbiton and the Waitomo glowworm caves during the off season. It was perfect because we felt like we had the places to ourselves. Hobbiton is bigger than I expected. We felt fully immersed in the village. The "Hobbit meal" afterwards was delicious. The Waitomo glowworm caves were also spectacular. It was a beautiful experience. We highly recommend this tour.

We went with Bush and Beach small group tour. Damien was our driver/guide. Amazing! Super friendly and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend this tour and especially our guide!

Kelly was our driver to hobbitton movie set . He was a gem , informative, caring and easy to talk too . Thankyou Kelly for making this a great experience. We were handed over to Damien who took us to the glow worm caves . The journey was amazing, it was on mother level. so privileged to have met these two gentlemen. Damien Thankyou for the chats the ice cream the passion you have for NZ . We can see why ! Love always Alex and Voula , Adelaide SA

Our tour guide Damian made our experience so unforgettable! 10/10 ⭐️He’s very knowledgeable and engaging with telling stories of Auckland’s history, tidbits about Hobbiton, and facts about how the Waitomo caves. We had a group of 6 and it was very intimate where he made sure we were timely, but never rushed us. The 12 hours flew by so quickly. Would definitely recommend Damian and Bush and Beach company for anyone going to New Zealand.

This tour gave us priority treatment at both Waitomo Cave and Hobbiton but especially Hobbiton. We entered one of the very first tours and were the first ones seated in the festival tent for lunch. The buffet was fabulous and well worth it. Hobbiton was a wonderful experience even for those in our party who had no exposure to the movie or the books. It is beautiful just as a fanciful garden and lovely sheep farm. Waitomo cave was one of our favorite nature experiences. It is developed but the guides keep the guests quiet so we could enjoy the awe we felt there. Our guide Wayne was a real raconteur who gave us running commentary. At each site he made sure we got priority treatment.

This tour combines the visit to the legendary Hobbiton movie set, and to the Waitomo glowworm caves. Both are key tourist attractions if you are in this part of the world, and combining them in this way makes a lot of sense (seems a much better idea than going to Waitomo from Rotorua, as there are other things to see over there). The Hobbiton movie set has been expanded over the years, and by now also includes Hobbit house interiors (the photo op-s…); also, the tour includes a lunch at the Green Dragon Inn, which is a lot of fun (notify the organiser about dietary requirements, it will not be a problem at all). The Waitomo caves include a boat trip inside a cave all lit by glowing worms, it’s quite surreal. Do note: Tickets to Hobbiton sell weeks in advance, and it is in a remote location - so, if you miss your tour time, it’s practically impossible to find another slot. This is why going on a organised tour has significant advantages - and this one is very well organised. With a small group, things go really smoothly. Highly recommended!

Excellent experience from start to finish. Kelly, our guide, was affable, knowledgeable, and had a prodigious continuous banter that helped while away the drive - teaching us about the history of New Zealand and what to expect at each stop. I would absolutely ask for him again!

Excellent engaging guide with a first class experience. Good buffet was pleasant way to end the tour

We looked at 2 tours, but decided to do the small group with lunch, so glad we did! The lunch was excellent.

Everything about this tour, from pick up to drop off, was smooth and relaxed. The tour itself was amazing and combining it with Waitomo Caves made for a really special day. Hobbiton was everything and more than could have been hoped for. Buffet lunch was fantastic and enough variety to cater for most preferences. Would highly recommend.

As a LOTR fan, it was fun visiting the Shire. The glow worm caves really delighted us.

It was a wonderful day❤️, our tour guide Damian was the best. Great food, one of the best buffets I've tasted!

We had an unforgettable experience visiting Hobbiton and the Waitomo caves and while it's definitely a long day, the structure and pacing make it feel totally manageable. We avoided lots of crowds at the movie set by arriving early and were able to really enjoy the grounds before a very good buffet lunch. The bus ride to the caves was a great opportunity to recharge before the last leg of the tour, and we arrived back to Auckland right on time. Our guide Wayne provided lots of commentary and insights into New Zealand that were very appreciated as well. Highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to efficiently see these two amazing sites!

It was amazing. Even if you aren't a fan of "The Hobbit" or "The Lord of the Rings," the amount of work and detail that went in to the making and building of the Hobbits' abodes, is incredibly impressive. If you *are* a fan, as I am, being in Hobbiton was like my childhood dream come true. The Waitomo Caves were magical, quietly floating below the ethereal blue glow emanating from the ceiling above. I kind of wish we'd had a bit more time in the cave but also have to say that 4 people on a bench in the boat was a bit snug. The ride there and back was made enjoyable by our driver, Murray. He informed us with facts and entertained us with casual chatter. I appreciated his knowledge and his sense of humor. And his patience, as I imagine driving a van with a group of strangers is much like herding cats. Thanks to Bush and Beach for a well-run tour.

Of course the ride there and back is long… you and the other passengers have to understand the schedule the drivers are on. So when they saw get a quick bite and bring it back, it doesn’t mean “dilly dally” around so driver has to chase you down. The Town was cool, the grow worms cave was super cold, but fun. I recommend bringing a jacket. If you’re a LOTR nerd…you will be ALL EXCITED with trivia, questions about The Shire and the movies…all the movies, tv shows… etc. The food was a surprise but enough variety for everyone. We had a hardcore Vegan / vegetarian and she was able to clean her plate. I couldn’t because I just wasn’t a fan of the flavor

Great and enjoyable so much to see and learn about the movies but also the area and history the little coffee stop was perfect and the tour of the movie set great and going to the Glowwarm Caves was interesting our driver was outstanding and knowledgeable and friendly thanks Damon I believe (sorry if wrong) but just outstanding don’t have to know the movie to enjoy this tour

It was a long day but we enjoyed every minute of it! We got picked up from our hotel on time. The tour guide/driver Kelly was knowledgeable and a safe driver. The lunch was yummy and a great verity of choices. Both sites are super cool. I would highly recommend the tour!

Great day! Hobbiton didn't disappoint. I didn't know that there were hobbit holes now to explore. The buffet lunch was tasty.

Our trip with Damien was wonderful. He provided non stop information about New Zealand culture and Māori history that provided a full understanding of this beautiful country. In addition he added interesting facts about Hobbiton and the glow worm caves that made visiting these stops even more exciting. Along the way he pointed out interesting features like Māori greeting poles, sanctuaries for the endangered bird life, how the land is used for sheep and dairy industry. It was one our favorite tours of many we took in New Zealand because of our guide I would highly recommend any tour with Bush and Beach and Damien. Bush and Beach were very helpful in ensuring correct pick up time and place and were able to easy change pick up location to accommodate our hotel. Personally we felt the glow worm caves were interesting but not worth a trip if not already going to Hobbiton or other stops or in the area already.

This tour was amazing! Our guide Damien was knowledgeable and engaging. He grounded us in New Zealand culture, politics, and history during our drives. I feel so much more connected to New Zealand now because of how well he taught us. That was on top of a very well run operation to hobbiton and the caves, which are already exceptionally memorable experiences. I came out feeling well taken care of and so happy we had such an amazing day! I’d definitely take this tour again.

The drive to Hobbiton was interesting. Wayne is an interesting guy, with many of his own life stories to throw into the mix. Still cant figure how he could tke a poll to skip the rest stop on the way in yet said no way in the world would he put people on the spot with a poll on the way out. Hm. But the group guide at Hobbiton was a truly hilarious fellow that knew everything to know about LOTR. It was a fantastic experience...certainly the highlight of our 3 week stay in NZ. Great! Note: Thoughtful drivers also carry water.

I'm a big Lord of the Rings fan, and I knew that this would be a fun experience, but I was unprepared for how amazing it would be. As we entered the "Shire" and Howard Shore's opening theme filled the bus along with Peter Jackson's welcome, I found myself in tears. That was quickly replaced with awe at the incredible work done by the gardeners and all the others who keep this entire Hobbiton village looking and feeling like it's being lived in at this moment. Even getting to enter and experience a complete interior of a Hobbit home! The stout is highly recommended, and lunch was delightful. Waitomo Caves was an entirely different experience, yet beautiful, and a powerful sense of geological age and nature. Chris was a wonderful host and guide, giving us tons of entertaining and educational information on the drives to and from Auckland. A long, but wonderful day.

Great visit to Hobbiton and surrounding territories. Traveling in smaller group made conversation and participation easier, quicker access, including Hobbiton tickets, quality lunch , touring on small town roads.

This is a DO NOT MISS adventure. Our guide was great! He worked hard to keep us entertained and informed during the entire day. Hobbit Town was such an awesome place to visit and learn about the filming of the the movies. I was impressed with the glowing caves. They were just outstanding to me.

Fantastic tour, made 100% better due to our brilliant informative, well organised guide driver Damien. Hobbiton exceeded expectations and the Waitamu Caves were beautiful... The lunch was excellent.

This tour was brilliant thanks to our guide Damien, who really went over the top. His love for his country, the depth of his knowledge, his personable delivery, combined to leave our small group with a great foundation of understanding and appreciation for New Zealand well beyond Hobbiton and Waitamo. As for those two items, Hobbiton was unique and inspirational, worth every second , but frankly we might have preferred not to take the hours required to get to Waitamo. The glow worm experience was fun but for us it just wasn’t worth the slog. That said, Damien squeezed in a stop for ice cream (after he had waxed eloquent about the superior quality of NZ ingredients). Yum! We were lucky to have Damien at the start of our six weeks in New Zealand because the quality and amount of information he imparted (covering the economy, politics, education, agriculture, and Hokey Pokey ice cream) gave us a much deeper understanding than we would have had otherwise and enriched our entire trip.

Very well organized and conducted. Definitely one of the highlights of our Auckland experience. The marquee lunch was five star and very food allergy friendly

What a wonderful Luxurious Private tour (4 of us) and a wonderful day! Great experience with Wayne! A+. Beautiful, Fun Day!

Had a great tour of Hobbiton and the glow worm cave. Chris was a fantastic guide and made the day a lot of fun. Beautiful scenery along the way!

Wayne did a fantastic job. He gave a lot of commentary during the drive and I learned a lot. He was willing to answer any questions. You could tell he loves taking people on tours. I highly recommend taking a tour with Wayne. I wish I had time to go on another tour with him.

Bush and Beach was an excellent operator; Wayne kept us informed about logistics and tidbits of NZ history/sights, as well as giggling (or groaning) with dad joke commentary throughout the trip. Punctual in pick up/drop off, and well-designed with driving breaks for snacks and bathroom. Very good communication from reservation to the day of the trip.

Everything about our experience was exceptional. Our driver and guide, Damien was a phenomenal storyteller and ambassador of not only the company and the tour, but New Zealand as well. We highly recommend this tour and the company.

This tour was a friendly and well organized experience. I loved our tour guide, Mary - she was knowledgeable and had an extremely warm personality that helped the group feel comfortable while keeping us on track timing-wise. She had fun information that she was able to share on the drive to each location. You could feel her passion when she spoke. Pick-up and drop off was easy and convenient from my hotel in the City Centre area. Overall, it was a great experience and would definitely book with them again in the future!

OMG! This is a must DO!! Hobbiton was fantastic! My husband and I never seen the movies but we still wanted to go and we are so happy we did. Everything was fabulous! Waitomo was amazing!

Bush and Beach is a fantastic outfit for this excursion. Our tour guide, Chris was absolutely wonderful. He was extremely knowledgeable about the areas we passed through and we learned a great deal about the people and ecology of New Zealand as we traveled to our excursions. Loved that our tour started and ended with several options for pickup/drop-off and the thoughtfully spaced bathroom breaks gave us time to stretch our legs. Hobbiton does a great job with the logistics and timing of the groups. I was a little worried at first at the number of people in our group, but it worked out great. Had lots of opportunities for pictures and our Hobbiton guide, Andrew, used our phones to take pictures of us coming out of a Hobbit hole. We also got to go into a fully furnished hobbit hole including getting to interact with the items inside, sitting on the chairs/beds and even in the tub (much easier to do if you are closer to hobbit sized). Lunch (included) started with a beer or cider and was a delicious buffet. Overall amazing experience. The Glow worms were awesome. Part of an absolutely gorgeous limestone cave system. Walking through the first part the rock formations were stunning. Our guide, Steven, demonstrated the acoustics of the cathedral cavern with a Māori song that was absolutely lovely and left me with goosebumps. It was fascinating to learn about the life cycle of the glow worms and seeing them for ourselves was incredible The time in the cave with the glow worms was relatively short, but that is probably the only reason I didn’t get a neck cramp from staring non stop at the ceiling. No pictures and no touching the rocks inside. (You can take some pictures at the very end, but they don’t turn out well). They can put you into pictures with the glow worms or cavern from a green screen picture they take of you at the start. Those are available for purchase at the end. Truly a day to remember for a lifetime. Lynne and Tina

This is a long tour, but very worth while. It gives you a great opportunity to see the country around Auckland and two of New Zealand’s top tourist attractions.

A very special day. Our group of 4 had not seen Lord of the Rings and were not sure that we had any interest in the tour. Friends had said that you did not want to miss the tour to Hobbiton. This was very special. It was a full day that went by so fast. I am on our way home to the US and started watching the movie. Our second stop was the glow worm caves. Another unbelievable experience Our tour guide Damian was so informative about Hobbiton, the caves, and New Zealand. It was a master class on New Zealand and how to conduct a tour. You thought that you were listening to a recording. I would take any tour with him.