From Auckland: Waitomo & Hobbiton Coach Tour with Lunch
About This Experience
See the magical Waitomo Caves and the Hobbiton Movie Set on a full-day sightseeing tour from Auckland. Step on board your luxury GreatSights coach and travel south, taking in typical New Zealand scenery as you ride – lush green farmland and rolling hills. Your first stop is at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a network of underground tunnels and caves made from incredible limestone formations. Set off on a 45-minute guided tour of the caves, ending with a truly special boat trip through the Glowworm Grotto, where glowworms twinkle and shine overhead as you sail through a dark and silent cavern. Then you will board your coach again, enjoy your picnic lunch and make your way to the Hobbiton Movie Set which is one of New Zealand’s must-see destinations. A working farm near the small town of Matamata was transformed into a film set for the world-famous Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, and today you can visit the set and see where the magic was created. See highlights like the original Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and the Party Tree, and now venture inside a Hobbit hole and see how the Hobbits lived. Your tour guide will share behind-the-scenes stories and fascinating facts about how the film set was brought to life. After exploring these two top New Zealand visitor attractions, your driver guide will take you back to Auckland, returning in the early evening. See more
Highlights
- Full-day coach tour combining Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves from Auckland
- Guided tour of Hobbiton's 44 hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and iconic movie sets
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves boat tour — the classic 45-minute underground experience
- Sit-down lunch included between attractions
- Air-conditioned coach with a knowledgeable driver-guide throughout
What's Included
- ✓ Return coach transport from Auckland
- ✓ Hobbiton Movie Set entry and guided tour
- ✓ Waitomo Glowworm Caves entry and guided tour
- ✓ Lunch
- ✓ English-speaking guide
Not Included
- Optional drinks at the Green Dragon Inn
- Personal purchases
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Camera
- Personal spending money
Good to Know & Caveats
- Departure is typically early morning from Auckland (7:00–8:30am)
- Return to Auckland is approximately 9:00–10:30pm
- Hobbiton is on a working farm — dress for outdoor conditions
- Bookings are typically non-refundable within 24 hours of departure
Not Suitable For
- People with limited mobility (both attractions involve walking on uneven terrain)
Meeting Point
Auckland CBD (various hotel pickup points — confirm exact location at booking)
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.7/5 by 849 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
David was a wonderful guide. Loved his sense of humour, knowledge about the country as a whole, and warm personality. He made the long hours on the bus worth our while.
— , 2026-07
Fantastic trip with GreatSights company to Waitomo Caves and the Hobbiton movie set. Our guide Nicky was absolutely fantastic, very informative and very knowledgeable. Many stories she told were fascinating and very learning. Nicky just had been great. Driving the very big bus through the traffic such a long way was just amazing. The places are nice , especially Waitomo Glow Worm caves are insane, like million of stars in darkness and silence. Hobbiton is nice, especially for the lovers of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. The tour is very well organized, bus very comfortable, punctual pickups and drop offs. Ik highly recommend GreatSigts as a tour company
— , 2026-04
Great tour! David was our tour guide/bus driver and he was wonderful, I enjoyed his commentary and his jokes. Very well organized and the day was clearly communicated. Nice charter bus with WiFi and the picnic lunch was surprisingly good. Glow work caves were stunning and hobbiton was lovely as well. The day was paced nicely with down time for shopping/getting snacks or exploring on your own at both places. Definitely recommend!
— , 2026-03
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in lunch?
A set lunch is provided between the two attractions — typically a buffet or set menu at a local restaurant in the Waikato region. Dietary requirements can usually be accommodated; advise at booking.
How long at each attraction?
Typically around 2 hours at Hobbiton (including the guided tour and Green Dragon Inn time) and 1–1.5 hours at Waitomo Caves (including the guided boat tour and time to browse the visitor centre).
Is this a large group tour?
Coach tours typically carry 30–50 passengers. If you prefer a smaller group experience, see the small-group Hobbiton + Waitomo Day Trip (ID 168473) which typically has 8–12 guests.
Can I book just one attraction separately after this tour?
The tour price covers both attractions together. If you only want one, it's more economical to book directly with each attraction. This combo is best value when you want both in a single day.
