Name: Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waiotapu Small Group Tour from Auckland
SKU: 56760P2
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (533 reviews)

WizardTrip

Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waiotapu Small Group Tour from Auckland

4.9(533)· Auckland· By Cheeky Kiwi Travel

Free cancellation

From

€223per person

1 to 15 travelers per booking.

Time

1 × Adult × €223€223

Total€223

About the activity

Want to see more of New Zealand than Auckland? This is the day for it. Start in the rolling countryside of the Waikato at Hobbiton Movie Set, then swap green hills for the bubbling mud, steaming craters, and surreal colours of Wai-O-Tapu. Two completely different landscapes, two very different sides of New Zealand, all in one day from Auckland—without hiring a car or figuring out the route yourself. While the destinations you will be visiting are spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Led by our passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life, sharing their stories and background knowledge, and run in modern minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

What's included

✓Fully Guided Small Group Tour with local driver/guide
✓Safety/booster seat for children aged 7 & younger (please advise if you prefer to provide your own)
✓Bottled water & snacks
✓Hobbiton Movie Tour & Waiotapu Entry
✓Air-conditioned vehicle
✓Complimentary Hotel Pickup & Drop off in Auckland CBD (select locations only)

What is not included

✕Lunch (opportunities to purchase at own expense)
✕Restroom on board

Itinerary

1
Auckland Central
Your tour starts in New Zealand’s largest city. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the city’s top highlights.
· Non-stop passage
2
Waikato Region
Be driven through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world, on a fully guided journey to your next attraction. During the trip you will encounter stunning scenery, might rivers, great photo opportunities, beautiful mountains and see several different farm animals along the way.
· Non-stop passage
3
Hobbiton Movie Set
Board one of the big green Hobbiton buses to depart on a two & a half hour fully guided tour of this amazing 12 acre movie set with a professional Hobbiton guide to ensure you get the most out of your visit. During your tour step into the lush pastures of the Shire, visit 44 hobbit holes, see amazing gardens, hear the secrets and stories about the making of the movies and enjoy a cold beverage at the famous Hobbiton pub The Green Dragon Inn.
· 3 h· Admission included
4
Tirau
Famously dubbed the 'Corrugated Capital of the World' because of the many unique Corrugated Iron sculptures and building this town never fails to get a look and a laugh. Our guides will point out all the main highlights on the way through.
· Non-stop passage
5
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Experience Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, considered one of the most surreal places on earth. Here you will see the famous Champagne Lake, Devil's bath, local mud-pools, geothermal craters and other geothermal wonders. The colours and activity will take your breath away.
· 1 h 30 min· Admission included
6
Champagne Pool
Champagne Pool is one of Wai-O-Tapu’s most iconic geothermal features, known for its vivid orange, yellow and green hues created by mineral-rich waters. With steaming waters reaching around 74°C, the colourful pool is a striking example of Rotorua’s volcanic landscape.
· 10 min
7
Rotorua
To finish off our Rotorua experience we do a guided driving tour seeing the most famous sites in Rotorua city including: Lake Rotorua, Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring) & the Blue Baths.
· Non-stop passage
8
Auckland
Sadly we must start to head north again but your day is not over with a fully guided return trip to Auckland including secret stops along the way.
· 5 min

How to use your ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted. One per booking

Meeting point and return

*If no pickup is selected at time of booking, you will be allocated our default meeting point (SkyCity Hotel). You are welcome to update this at any time. If your location isn’t listed, please choose your nearest available option & meet us there.

*Pick-ups can begin up to 20 minutes before the tour departure time, depending on location. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside 5 minutes prior to your specific pickup time.

*Pick-up locations are carefully planned for each tour and may vary by day. If your pick-up location changes, kindly inform us in advance.

*Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. We are unable to wait for late guests.

*You will receive an email with important pickup information in the days prior, please read this information.

Practical information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
The legal drinking age is 18, and ID may be required
Due to uneven surfaces & a moderate amount of walking being involved, this tour is not recommended for travelers with severe mobility difficulties, or wheelchair users

Activity options

Day Tour from Auckland
Hobbiton & Wai O Tapu
Duration: 13 hours: Arrive back in Auckland around 7pm
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van
Small Group Bus Tour : Maximum 15 guests in your bus group
Pickup included

Duration

13 h

How to prepare for your experience

Wear comfortable shoes as there will be walking involved.
Dress in layers as the weather can change.
Bring a camera to capture the stunning scenery.
Be prepared for a full day of exploration.
Purchase lunch at your own expense during designated stops.
Ensure you have valid ID if you plan to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Experience the magic of Middle-earth and the otherworldly landscapes of Rotorua on a full-day small group tour from Auckland.

Cancellation conditions

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Any questions?

Product code: 56760P2

Activity offered by Cheeky Kiwi Travel via Viator.

Who is this activity suitable for?

Movie fans
Nature lovers
Tourists seeking unique landscapes
Travelers looking for a guided day trip from Auckland

Activity essentials

Visit the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set
Explore the geothermal wonders of Wai-O-Tapu
Small group tour for a more personalized experience
Fully guided tour with knowledgeable local guides
Comfortable travel in a modern minibus
Hotel pickup and drop-off included

Auckland: good to know

Population: 1,470,100 (2020)
Elevation: 196 m
Currency: New Zealand dollar
Official languages: Māori, English
Driving: on the left
Power plugs: I · 230 V
Emergency number: 111
Capital city: Wellington

Average temperatures

20°Jan
20°Feb
19°Mar
17°Apr
15°May
13°Jun
11°Jul
12°Aug
13°Sept
14°Oct
16°Nov
18°Dec

Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes a fully guided small group tour with a local driver/guide, safety/booster seats for children aged 7 and younger, bottled water and snacks, Hobbiton Movie Tour & Waiotapu Entry, an air-conditioned vehicle, and complimentary hotel pickup & drop-off in Auckland CBD (select locations only).

What is not included?

Lunch is not included, but there will be opportunities to purchase food at your own expense. There is also no restroom on board the vehicle.

What is the cancellation policy?

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Does the tour operate in all weather conditions?

Yes, the tour operates in all weather conditions, so please dress appropriately.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

This tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or severe mobility difficulties, or wheelchair users due to uneven surfaces and moderate walking involved. Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

What happens if the tour is cancelled due to low numbers?

Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In this event, you will be offered an alternative or a full refund.

Reviews

4.94.9(533)

5 stars

492

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Reviews provided by Viator, written by travellers on Viator and Tripadvisor.

★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Great experience
Trip02697764969, October 2026
We really enjoyed the tour overall, and our guide was very friendly. Thank you for a lovely experience!
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
An amazing experience with Matt – truly grateful for his kindness! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
xueqiand2026, October 2026
We had a wonderful experience with Cheeky Kiwi Travel, and I especially want to say a huge thank you to our guide, Matt! What impressed me most was not just the tour itself, but how genuinely caring and helpful Matt was even after the tour had ended. I accidentally left my right AirPod on the tour bus and only realised it later that evening. I was really worried because we had an early flight to Queenstown at 6:40 the next morning, and I thought there was little chance of getting it back. Thankfully, Matt was incredibly kind and helpful. Even though he had already finished work for the day, he still took the time to help me. Thanks to his kindness and efforts, I managed to get my AirPod back that evening. I honestly can’t describe how relieved and grateful I felt! It’s easy to find a tour guide who does a good job during a tour, but finding someone who genuinely cares about their guests even after their working day is over is something really special. Matt, if you’re reading this, thank you so much once again! You really made a difference to our trip, and your kindness is something I’ll remember long after leaving New Zealand. I would wholeheartedly recommend Cheeky Kiwi Travel, and if you’re lucky enough to have Matt as your guide, you’re in excellent hands! ❤️
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great day out with Cheeky Kiwi!
JoenilleB, October 2026
Had a really great day with Cheeky Kiwi Travel visiting Hobbiton and Wai-O-Tapu. Everything was well organised and the day went really smoothly, even with the early start! Our guide, Vikki, was honestly one of the highlights. She was really friendly, easy to talk to and clearly knew a lot about New Zealand. The drives between stops were never boring because she was always sharing interesting stories and information about the places we were passing through. I also really liked how respectfully she talked about Māori culture and the history of Aotearoa. You could tell she genuinely enjoyed sharing her knowledge rather than just giving the usual tour spiel. Hobbiton was obviously amazing and Wai-O-Tapu was really cool to see as well. The scenery throughout the day was beautiful, and having Vikki as our guide definitely made the experience better. Would definitely recommend Cheeky Kiwi if you're planning to visit Hobbiton and Rotorua. And if you get Vikki as your guide, you're in good hands! Thanks Vikki for a really fun day! 🇳🇿 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
An Unforgettable Hobbiton Experience with the Amazing Vikki
nastaciac2026, October 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely Amazing Experience – Vikki Was Brilliant! What an absolutely amazing experience with Cheeky Kiwi Travel! A huge thank you to our wonderful driver and guide, Vikki, who made the whole day so memorable. Vikki was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, respectful and professional. She shared so much interesting information throughout the journey and had a wonderful way of explaining the history, culture and places we visited. I especially appreciated the respect she showed when speaking about Māori culture and the history of Aotearoa New Zealand. She made everyone feel comfortable and welcome, kept the day relaxed and fun, and was always happy to answer questions. You could genuinely tell that she enjoys what she does and cares about making sure everyone has a great experience. The scenery was beautiful, the tour was well organised, and visiting Hobbiton was an experience I will never forget — but having Vikki as our guide made the day even more special. I would absolutely recommend Cheeky Kiwi Travel, and if you are lucky enough to have Vikki as your driver and guide, you are in excellent hands! “Kia ora Vikki, ngā mihi nui for an unforgettable day in beautiful Aotearoa! ❤️NZ” 10/10 — Highly Recommended!
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Great experience
LoveTravel681266, October 2026
John is professional, informative, organized and personable

18 activities · New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand, has 18 activities, tours and experiences to book. Also worth exploring nearby: Waiheke Island.

01Activities to book

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18 in the catalogue

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02On the water

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1 activity

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03Categories

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Hobbiton Movie Set Signature Day Tour From Auckland

from €172★ 4.9

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from €117★ 4.9

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04Explore nearby

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Frequently asked questions about Auckland

What is there to do in Auckland?

Auckland has 18 activities, tours and day trips you can book online. Among the most booked: « Hobbiton Movie Set Signature Day Tour From Auckland », « Auckland Scenic Day Tour Full-Day - 8 HOURS », « Rotorua Highlights: Wai-O-Tapu, Lunch & 5 Experience Choices ».

What are the top-rated activities in Auckland?

According to traveller reviews: « Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch » (4.9/5, 3,177 reviews) ; « Auckland Scenic Day Tour Full-Day - 8 HOURS » (4.9/5, 404 reviews) ; « Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour » (4.9/5, 1,265 reviews).

Can you cancel an activity in Auckland for free?

Usually, yes: 18 of the 18 most popular activities in Auckland offer free cancellation. The exact terms are shown on each activity page before you book.