Waitomo Caves, Rotorua and Hobbiton 2-Day Private Tour

• Fully guided private tour in Mercedes luxury vehicle.
• Pick-up and drop-off in Auckland incl. airport and cruise terminal.
• All tours support local eco-cultural initiatives.

Day 1: The Glowworm caves and Rotorua arrival

The first day of the tour includes a drive that’ll take you via the Thermal Explorer highway after being picked up in a private Mercedes. Experience stunning views of Taupiri Mountain along the way in addition to Ngaruawahia, which is where the world-famous Maori meeting place of Turangawaewae Marae can be found.

As you arrive at Waitomo you will have ample time to explore the depths of the Glowworm Caves. The cave is filled with masses of amazing glowworms, and you will get to see these first-hand.

Once you depart Waitomo you will travel through Waikato to witness fantastic countryside scenery and the Mamaku Ranges before arriving at Rotorua. Traverse down the steep plateau to get an excellent viewpoint of Lake Rotorua, and you might like to stop at Mamaku Blue which boasts a beautiful blueberry farm, a winery and a cafe.

There are a wealth of sites to experience in Rotorua such as traditional Maori song and dance and tasting Maori foods. This time is yours to explore, but you might prefer to enjoy relaxing in your accommodation.

Day 2: Rotorua and Hobbiton movie set tour

Rotorua offers a huge amount of places for you to visit, and as you begin your second day of the tour you might like to incorporate trout fishing on Lake Rotorua or try your hand at fly-fishing. Experience a helicopter flight with fantastic sights of volcanic scenes such as Mount Tarawera, which is New Zealand’s last remaining active volcano. You can visit The Luge, one of the most fun attractions of New Zealand, or witness the stunning government gardens before embracing the historic Rotorua Museum. Nestled in the Government Gardens is the area’s historic Bathhouses, which include tranquil spas for you to unwind in. All activities in Rotorua are optional at extra cost.

We depart Rotorua at midday to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set location, which is featured close by the idyllic town of Matamata. This location reaped world fame after The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit came to our screens, and it became home to Hobbiton.

While in Hobbiton you will be able to explore the famous Hobbit Village where the amazing Middle-earth stories first came to life. Explore the Hobbit Holes which were dug into the sides of the hills in The Shire, before paying a visit to the end of Bagshot Row to visit Bilbo Baggins’ home. You might also like to get an inside look at the Green Dragon Inn that Frodo and Samwise often visited with friends, and enjoy a cold beverage or two while you are there.

We will return guests to Auckland or Rotorua by approx 5 pm to avoid the evening rush.