Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour
Auckland to Auckland
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Thrifty Tours

Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour

Calling all Lord of the Rings and Hobbiton fans! This is the perfect tour if you would like to indulge in New Zealand's culture as well as seeing the location of the famous films. Starting and finishing in Auckland this action packed 3 day tour will take you to Waitomo Caves, Te Puia, Tamaki Maori Village, Hobbiton Movie Set and Wai-O-Tapu thermal area.

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Quick Itinerary Details

Independent tour (bus & coach)

This suggested tour costs from NZD$1,400 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland

3 days/2 nights

Hotel 3 star

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 339 times in the last 7 days

Tour at a glance

Day 1: Auckland to Waitomo Caves to Rotorua
Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua

Day 2: Day tour to Hobbiton including a movie set tour, then an evening at Tamaki Maori village and dinner
Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua

Day 3: This morning, explore Wai-O-Tapu, then free time this afternoon before travelling to Auckland early evening

Tour full itinerary

Detailed itinerary: 3 day tour starting in Auckland

Day 1 - Auckland to Waitomo Caves to Rotorua
Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour - Day 1
Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves and Te Puia Small Group Tour

On this tour, you will be picked up from the hotel in a comfortable mini-bus and driven through the stunning Waikato countryside on a fully guided journey to Waitomo Caves and Te Puia Geothermal Park.
During the journey to Waitomo, you will encounter New Zealand's longest river, beautiful mountains, and see several different farm animals along the way. Once in Waitomo, you will explore the ancient and amazing caves, with their many different cave formations including Stalactites, Stalagmites, and Lime Columns, before descending even further underground for your glowworm experience. Board your glowworm boat for a cruise on the grotto river with thousands of glowworms glittering above your head. Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a must-see for any traveller. Arriving at your second feature destination, Te Puia, you will receive a fully guided tour to best experience the geothermal and cultural wonders including Pōhutu Geyser, Māori Architecture, The National Māori Arts School, geothermal craters, geothermal events, and even the chance to view a Kiwi bird in the Kiwi viewing house.
Continue your adventure with another fully guided journey south to Rotorua, with many more attractions to see along the way, including hydro dams, rivers, and lots more animals. Once in Rotorua, you will be guided past many of its famous and historical sites, including Lake Rotorua, The Government Gardens, Blue Baths, Thermal Springs, and Polynesian Spa.

Your accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua

Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua boasts a location that is second-to-none, right on the shores of beautiful Lake Rotorua. Adjacent to the world-famous Polynesian Spa complex and just a short stroll to all the attractions in Rotorua.
Meals included: Lunch
Day 2 - Day tour to Hobbiton including a movie set tour, then an evening at Tamaki Maori village and dinner
Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour - Day 2
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Rotorua with Grayline

Setting out from Rotorua, your Hobbiton Movie Set tour starts with a scenic drive across the Kaimai Ranges to Matamata, a small town in the Waikato region known for its thoroughbred industry and dairy farming. Along the way, your local driver guide will provide informative commentary and share stories about the region and its history.
Just outside of Matamata is the private working farm that was transformed into The Shire for the award-winning The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. The home of Tolkien's beloved hobbits Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin has been preserved since filming wrapped, and now draws visitors from around the world.
Take a two-hour guided tour of the movie set and learn how this picturesque farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. Your guide will show you Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Party Tree, the Mill and many other structures from the movies. After your Hobbiton movie set tour, you will hop back on the GreatSights coach and retrace your steps back to Rotorua.

Te Pā Tū Evening Maori Cultural Experience

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, Tamaki Māori Village presents TE PĀ TŪ. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar. 

Your accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua

Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua boasts a location that is second-to-none, right on the shores of beautiful Lake Rotorua. Adjacent to the world-famous Polynesian Spa complex and just a short stroll to all the attractions in Rotorua.
Meals included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
Day 3 - This morning, explore Wai-O-Tapu, then free time this afternoon before travelling to Auckland early evening
Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour - Day 3
Eco Thermal Park - Geothermal Rotorua Tour with Elite Adventures

See it all, the ultimate volcanic and geothermal Rotorua Tour. Learn about the huge colourful hot springs, erupting geysers and active boiling mud pools, spectacular volcanoes and lush native forest. All on a fully guided 1/2 day tour in Rotorua. Departing daily you'll travel through forestry and farmland to NZ's largest boiling mud pool and a series of colourful hot springs at Wai-o-tapu. Then see the Lady Knox geyser erupt. Next a short drive to the Waimangu Volcanic valley where your guide will explain the Mt Tarawera eruption which blew open this spectacular, bush covered, geothermal park.
*Please be aware, there are some departure dates where the Wai-O-Tapu may not be available due to reduced opening days.

Rotorua to Auckland by InterCity Coach

The drive from Rotorua to Auckland takes you through the heart of the Waikato and its rich agricultural land. Along New Zealand's longest river, the Waikato. A little further than Hamilton is Auckland City, New Zealand's largest, spread over approximately 60 square kilometres. From the vibrant and trendy fashion and cuisine found in Ponsonby and Parnell to the breathtaking native bush and beaches of the West Coast, Auckland is full of life and the opportunities to explore are endless.

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Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour

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Remember - we can create this itinerary with any style of accommodation or customise to suit your interests and timeframe. Just contact us here.

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Starts Status Twin/Double (2 people sharing) Single occupancy You save  
Mar 29, 2023
(Wednesday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Mar 30, 2023
(Thursday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Mar 31, 2023
(Friday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 1, 2023
(Saturday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 2, 2023
(Sunday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 3, 2023
(Monday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 4, 2023
(Tuesday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 5, 2023
(Wednesday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 6, 2023
(Thursday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 7, 2023
(Friday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 8, 2023
(Saturday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 9, 2023
(Sunday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 10, 2023
(Monday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 11, 2023
(Tuesday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 12, 2023
(Wednesday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 13, 2023
(Thursday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 14, 2023
(Friday)
NZD$1,400 NZD$1,625 Enquire Book
Apr 15, 2023
(Saturday)
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Apr 16, 2023
(Sunday)
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Apr 17, 2023
(Monday)
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Apr 18, 2023
(Tuesday)
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Apr 19, 2023
(Wednesday)
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Apr 20, 2023
(Thursday)
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Apr 21, 2023
(Friday)
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Apr 22, 2023
(Saturday)
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Apr 23, 2023
(Sunday)
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Apr 24, 2023
(Monday)
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Apr 25, 2023
(Tuesday)
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Apr 26, 2023
(Wednesday)
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Apr 27, 2023
(Thursday)
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Apr 28, 2023
(Friday)
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