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Thrifty Tours

Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Weekender

Attention all Lord of the Rings and Hobbiton fans! This tour is the perfect blend of New Zealand’s rich culture and the iconic locations from famous films. Starting and ending in Auckland, this exciting 3-day adventure takes you to the Waitomo Caves, Te Puia, Te Pa Tu, the Hobbiton Movie Set, and the spectacular Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.

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Quick Itinerary Details

Independent Tours

This suggested tour costs from NZD$1,890 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland

3 days/2 nights

Hotel 3 star

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 397 times in the last 7 days

price pp from
NZD$1,890
twin share/double
Tour map
Illuminated Te Puia entrance with tall carved pillars
Hobbiton, Matamata
Tour at a glance

Day 1: Journey from Auckland to Waitomo Caves, then to Rotorua to visit Te Puia
Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua

Day 2: Enjoy the day at Hobbiton including a movie set tour, then an evening at Te Pa Tu
Accommodation: Sudima Lake Rotorua

Day 3: Explore Wai-O-Tapu before travelling to Auckland

Tour full itinerary

Detailed itinerary

Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Weekender - Day 1
Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Tour and Te Puia with FlexiTours - Lunch Included

Travel from Auckland to Rotorua and visit the famous Waitomo Caves along the way. This tour showcases some of the most iconic destinations on North Island. Discover Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal activity and rich Māori heritage. Enjoy a guided tour of the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves and explore the geothermal wonderland of Te Puia. Your journey concludes in Rotorua.

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
Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Weekender - Day 2
Hobbiton Day Tour from Rotorua with Gray Line / GreatSights - Lunch Included

Take a journey from Rotorua to the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, located inside a picturesque 1,250-acre sheep and beef farm near Matamata. Here, take a guided tour of the village of Hobbiton, which was carefully created in amazing detail as a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. During your guided tour of this amazing location, you’ll see sights like Hobbit holes, the Mill and the Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, enjoy a tasty lunch in the Party Marquee and then return to Rotorua.

Te Pā Tū Evening Māori Cultural Experience - Dinner Included

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, presenting 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, Lunch, Speciality Dinner
Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Weekender - Day 3
Eco Thermal Park Tour with Elite Adventures

Experience it all on the ultimate volcanic and geothermal Rotorua tour. Discover vibrant hot springs, erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools, majestic volcanoes, and lush native forests on this fully guided half-day adventure. Journey through scenic forestry and farmland to Wai-O-Tapu, home to New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool and a series of dazzling hot springs. Witness the dramatic eruption of the Lady Knox geyser before heading to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Here, your guide will share the fascinating story of the Mt Tarawera eruption that shaped this spectacular geothermal wonderland.

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.

Farewell from Aotearoa / New Zealand

Bid farewell to Aotearoa / New Zealand, taking with you unforgettable memories of its breathtaking landscapes and incredible adventures. In Māori, it is said mā te wā, which is not goodbye, it is see you soon!

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Starts Status   Double (2 people sharing) Single occupancy You save  
Dec 10, 2025
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Dec 11, 2025
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Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Weekender

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