Hobbiton Movie SetWaitomo Glowworm cave and Rotorua in a Small Group Tour-

Hobbiton Movie SetWaitomo Glowworm cave and Rotorua in a Small Group Tour-

Travellers with limited time will enjoy this action packed day of visiting three attractions in a private day tour from Auckland.

You will enjoy your visit to the sets of ‘Lord of The Rings’ and Hobbit movies, discover how a 12 acre sheep farm was turned into a movie set, getting a glimpse of behind the scenes secrets of how the movies were made, then enjoy the countryside of scenic hills and valleys to the wonderland of Rotorua.

The sight, sound and colours of the volcanic areas are amazing. The Pohutu geyser is stunning when it erupts. Waitimo Glowworm Caves is mesmerising with its thousands of Glowworms unique only to New Zealand.

Your journey through the countryside of New Zealand takes in the lush greenery of rolling hillsides and scenic mountains and valleys with its different animals following New Zealand’s longest river ‘Waikato River’ to Auckland City and your Hotels.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Hobbiton Movie Set, 501 Buckland Road Matamata, Hinuera 3472 New Zealand

You will be picked up from your hotel from 6:00am for a 6:30am departure on a comfortable scenic drive across Auckland’s Southern Corridor, the Bombay Hills and the Hauraki Plains towards Matamata where you would see Lord of the Rings story unfold through the redone movie set.

We will arrive at the Alexander family sheep farm with hundreds of sheep grazing amongst the lush farmland, the Shire’s rest (the gateway to Hobbiton) with a cafe and an ice cream parlour where you can get a cup of coffee or ice cream while we get your tickets. You will board one of the green buses and with a professional guide embark on the tour to a 12 acre movie set

This movie set is located on a family run farm, the tour would reveal how this picturesque farmland was transformed into the Shire from Middle Earth.

Discover the rolling hillside, walkways and Hobbiton holes from the movies. Experienced guides will guide and give you interesting facts about how the movies were made. See live the Hobbiton Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, The Mill and the Party Tree.

Your Middle Earth adventure will end with a complimentary ale, beer, cider or ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn.

We head south next through more lush countryside with more farm animals and attractions to Rotorua.

Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Lake Rotorua, Rotorua New Zealand

Lake Rotorua is the second largest lake in the North Island of New Zealand

Pass By: Polynesian Spa, Hinemoa Street, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand

Polynesian Spa is New Zealand’s original and iconic geothermal bathing experience

Pass By: Government Gardens, Queens Dr 9 Queens Dr, Rotorua New Zealand

Historical government garden

Stop At: Te Puia, Hemo Road, Rotorua New Zealand

Rotorua is a unique region where geothermal activity is evident from the steam appearing on the hills, parks and the lakefront. We will guide you past many of its famous attractions and historical sights, lake Rotorua, The government gardens, Polynesian spa.

You will arrive at Te Puia and with a local guide, you will encounter bubbling mud, pools of boiling water and stunning geysers. The Pōhutu geyser is the main attraction. Pōhutu is the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, she erupts once or twice every hour reaching heights of up to 30 meters (100 ft). At Te Puia, you will get to see New Zealand’s national iconic flightless bird, the Kiwi.

Experience the unique ways Māori adapted to life in Rotorua. Witness an authentic Māori cultural performance including the traditional Haka, an ancient type of war dance or challenge, used nowadays in important ceremonies and celebrations. (Cultural performance not available on shared small group tour)

Our trip to Rotorua weaves together the fascinating geology, rich culture and colonial beginnings of this region that makes it a ‘must visit’ destination.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Waitomo Glowworm Caves, 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3943 New Zealand

We continue on to Waitomo Valley through more countryside with its scenic views and animals, the gateway to the spectacular Waitomo Caves.

Waitomo was one of New Zealand’s original tourist destination. Its popularity has endured and you’ll soon understand why. Lonely Planet calls the Waitomo Caves a ‘must do attraction’.

Under the farmland of the Waitomo area lies a network of caves, sinkholes and underground rivers. The caves were carved by underground streams shaping the soft limestone over thousands of years. Many of the caves have amazing stalactites (an icicle-shaped formations that hangs from the ceiling of a cave) and stalagmites (an upward-growing mound of deposits) built gradually over centuries from minerals contained in water that trickled through the caves. But what makes these caves truly unique are the glow worms, Arachnocampa Luminosa. These little creatures are unique to New Zealand. Thousands of them line the cave walls radiating their unmistakable luminescent light giving you the feeling of being close to a million stars.

During your tour, a local specialist guide provides a fascinating commentary on the Waitomo Caves’ history and geology as you explore the caves on foot and by boat. The gentle boat ride takes you silently down a peaceful underground stream lit only by the millions of tiny glow-worms lining the walls and roof of the cave. A truly awe-inspiring experience.

Duration: 1 hour