3 BEST Tours to Hobbiton from Auckland

So, you’re a fan of the Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit movies? Then you simply HAVE to visit Hobbiton while you’re in New Zealand. Luckily, Hobbiton is easily reached on a tour from Auckland.

There are plenty of different tours from Auckland to Hobbiton to choose from (too many, in fact!) I mean, how do you choose the right tour? I had the same thought on my first visit.

That’s why I’ve written this blog. It’s my unbiased review of my four favorite tours from Auckland to Hobbiton.

In this blog, I’ve included all the important details for my very favorite tours. This way, you can easily choose the right tour for you!

The BEST Tours to Hobbiton from Auckland

Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves (the most AMAZING reviews!)

This full-day tour combines a guided tour of Hobbiton with a boat ride through famous glowworm caves. It’s a 2-for-1 deal that I couldn’t pass up!

You head to Hobbiton first, for a guided tour where you’ll learn all about the history of the famous franchise and some awesome in-depth details about the journey from page to screen. I found all the little thoughtful details so interesting! 

After the tour you head to the Green Dragon Inn for a flagon of Southfarthing Ale, although cider and soft drinks are available if you prefer. Then, you go to the Shire’s Rest cafe for lunch before you continue onto the Glowworm Caves. 

Waitomo is about an hour’s drive from Hobbiton and once you arrive, you’ll take a boat tour through the glowworm-lit caves. There’s guided commentary along the way often from one of the decendents of the Maori chief who discovered the cave so you get to learn all about the Maori history surrounding the caves, which I found fascinating. Then, it’s back to Auckland! 

I like this tour because it’s capped at 14 people, so it feels personal and not too crowded. It costs $334 NZD per person, although kids are much cheaper. It’s such a great day out and includes lunch, hotel pickup, and all admission fees, so everything is taken care of for you. 

Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour

If you only want to visit Hobbiton and want a slightly shorter day trip, then I think that this Hobbiton day tour is the best choice.

Hobbiton is the star of the show with a full guided tour aboard the big green Hobbiton buses! Don’t worry though, they gave us tons of opportunities to get out and walk around and take photos. Of course, after all that walking, the cold drink at the Green Dragon Inn was much appreciated afterwards! I also really liked the free time we got to relax or do some shopping.

It’s a small group tour so there’ll be a maximum of 16 people. You can opt to enjoy some extra drinks at the Green Dragon Inn or to go and buy lunch at the Shire’s Rest Cafe, which has great views of Hobbiton. 

Since it’s a fairly long drive from Auckland to Hobbiton, you also get complimentary snacks and bottled water on the drive. The drive there takes you through some very scenic farmland, and your driver will provide lots of interesting commentary, so you also get to learn more about New Zealand’s landscape and agriculture. On the way home, there are some “surprise” stops that I won’t confirm or deny might include ice cream!

The tour costs $246 NZD including transport and Hobbiton admission. I think it’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to make the day super long by adding additional stops, so it’s great for families with young kids. 

Hobbiton and Rotorua, including Wai-O-Tapu

This small group tour allows you to explore Hobbiton and visit the highlights of Rotorua in just one day. I like this tour because it gives you longer in Rotorua than the other options, so it’s a good choice if you prefer to visit fewer places and take your time. 

You’ll be picked up from your hotel around 6 am, so be ready for an early start! Then, you’ll drive through the beautiful countryside towards Hobbiton for your guided tour which ends, as always, with a complimentary drink in the Green Dragon Inn.

After that, you pass through Tirau, a quirky town which is famous for its two big corrugated iron buildings that look like a dog and a sheep. There are also lots of sculptures to spot, which your guide will point out to you. 

Then, you’ll take a guided tour of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, where you’ll see amazing mud pools, crafters, and the Devil’s Bath, which is a neon-green pool of stagnant water. It looks like it’s radioactive but don’t worry, it’s not! The color actually comes from sulfur deposits, not anything untoward. 

You’ll also find the famous Champagne Pool here, which is named because it constantly bubbles, just like champagne. The water is mostly blue-green, but is orange around the edges due to sulfides. It’s pretty cool to see! 

After Wai-O-Tapu, you’ll take a driving tour through the town of Rotorua to see its main highlights, including the lake, before heading back to Auckland. 

This tour is a fantastic way to see some of the best attractions on the North Island in a single day, and I think it’s perfect for anyone who wants to visit Hobbiton and see some geothermal wonders up close. 

It costs $349 NZD, but this doesn’t include lunch which you will need to buy on your own. For a full day of exploring North Island highlights including Hobbiton,

How far is Hobbiton from Auckland?

Hobbiton is 168 kilometers (104 miles) from Auckland. If you rent a car in Auckland, most of the journey is along State Highway 1 and it takes between 2 and 2.5 hours to drive there, depending on traffic. That’s quite a lot of driving in one day, even though the drive itself is pretty easy. 

This is one of the reasons why I think taking a Hobbiton tour like this one is a good option because it’s not as tiring when you get to chill out while someone else drives. You can even nap during the journey! The day can feel really long when you’re the one driving. 

Related Read: Need help planning your trip? Check out our 3-day Auckland itinerary here for a fun and practical guide to making the most of your time in the city!

Why book a tour to Hobbiton from Auckland?

Booking a Hobbiton tour makes a lot of sense if you’re visiting from Auckland. For one thing, you can only explore Hobbiton as part of a guided tour anyway, so if you book a tour from Auckland you’re not going to miss out on any independent exploration. 

Hobbiton is also pretty out of the way on most New Zealand road trips. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to take a huge detour when you can just visit from Auckland instead! There are lots of Auckland tours available so it’s easy to just tick Hobbiton off your list while you’re in Auckland. 

And, as I say, visiting Hobbiton can be a pretty long day so it’s nice not to have to drive all the way back to Auckland when you’re tired. You can just snooze in the bus or van instead!

Is it best to combine your Hobbiton visit with other attractions?

Yes, it’s quite easy to combine a trip to Hobbiton with a visit to the Waitomo Caves and Rotorua. You might as well make the most out of your day by visiting one or both of these since they also top the list of New Zealand’s best attractions!

The Waitomo Caves are among the best glow worm caves in the country, and you can take a boat trip through them. Thanks to the glow worms, the cave ceilings really do look like a starry night sky, so I do think that they’re worth visiting. They’re about 87 kilometers (54 miles) further south of Hobbiton, so this does add another 1.5 to 2 hours of travel time to your day. 

Meanwhile, Rotorua is a small town known for its Maori heritage and geothermal wonders, like bubbling mud pools and geysers. It’s about an hour from Hobbiton, and 2.5 hours to drive from Auckland to Rotorua. 

I would recommend choosing a tour that combines a visit to Hobbiton with one or both of these places, as they’re both home to some fantastic natural attractions in New Zealand. However, you should be aware that this will mean a very long day. If you’re traveling with young children or get tired easily, you might want to just focus on Hobbiton. 

What to bring on a tour to Hobbiton?

Sun protection

Hobbiton gets hot during the summer and there’s no shade, so you need to protect yourself from the rays! I recommend wearing sunscreen, a hat, and a pair of good sunglasses. Some people even had umbrellas walking around the set, which was a bit weird to see but could actually prove very useful!

Water 

The tour is long and you’re walking around the whole time, so make sure to bring some water with you to sip as you go. This is especially important during the summer when it’s hot, but it’s a good idea all year round. You don’t get a drink until the end when you visit the Green Dragon Inn. 

Good footwear

You do a lot of walking on a Hobbiton tour as you explore the entire movie set on foot. You’ll definitely rack up some steps, so make sure that your shoes are comfy and suitable for walking. Don’t wear brand-new shoes or ones that are going to hurt your feet. Comfort, not fashion, is the name of the game here!

Is visiting Hobbiton worth it? 

Yes, I loved it! The Lord of the Rings movies are absolutely iconic so this is a quintessential New Zealand experience. 

Even though I’m not a huge fan of the movies, the set is still so beautiful and you learn so many interesting details about how the films were made. It was one of the best tours I took from Auckland and if you’re a big LOTR fan, I can only imagine how wonderful your experience will be!

Related Read: Still planning what to do while you’re here? Don’t miss our guide to the best things to do in Auckland here—it’s packed with top attractions, local tips, and fun ways to explore the city!

Other Things to do While You’re in Auckland

As New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland is filled with amazing things to do and see! While you’re here, make sure not to miss out on some of the top attractions and activities to add to your Auckland itinerary.

• Take a harbor cruise – Nicknamed the City of Sails, there are SO many boats in Auckland, the harbor is a must-see aboard one. I love this 1.5-hour harbor cruise that takes you past the Auckland Bridge and you even get to help the crew steer!

• Go to the beach – Only 45 minutes from Auckland is the famous Piha Beach! This is one of the best beaches in New Zealand and one of the most beautiful with bright blue water. You can drive yourself or join a guided tour to get here.

• See dolphins and whales – One of my favorite Auckland activities was joining this dolphin and whale watching tour to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. You’re on a luxury catamaran looking for all the amazing animals around here. Plus if you don’t see any dolphins or whales, you can do the tour again for free.

Where to Stay in Auckland

Auckland is a huge city, so deciding where to stay in Auckland can be a challenge. Luckily, I’ve stayed in Auckland countless times (and even lived there for a few months) so I know the best areas to stay. Below are my favorite hotels/hostels in Auckland to suit all budgets and travel styles:

$$$ – The Grand by SkyCity

The Grand by SkyCity is an Auckland accommodation unlike any other. Treating you to a lavish stay right in the heart of the city, this five-star hotel is exactly where you want to be if you’re after luxurious rooms and city views. 

$$ – Marsden Viaduct Hotel

One of the Auckland hotels with the best views, the Marsden Viaduct Hotel puts you right on the harbor without breaking your budget. This world-class accommodation is within walking distance to the Wynyard Quarter and the restaurant and bars in the Viaduct Harbour, so you’re pretty much in the center of it all. 

$ – The Attic Backpackers

The Attic is one of my favorite budget-friendly accommodations in the heart of Auckland city. Although The Attic isn’t as high-end as the other hotels in the area, you can still call it your home-away-from-home, and it’s actually pretty cozy. You have some chill-out areas a few steps away from the room for chatting with friends and watching TV. There’s also a spacious outdoor covered deck to enjoy the sun in. Both dorm rooms and private rooms are available.

You can book The Attic online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.

Related Read: Auckland is full of great hotels and unique areas. Check out my Where to Stay in Auckland blog for all the details!

Thanks for reading!

Hopefully, this guide on the best Hobbiton tours from Auckland has helped you narrow down which one to choose! Whether you opt for some additional stops along the way or just focus on Hobbiton, I think you’ll have fun exploring this movie set come to life. And take it from me, you don’t need to be a Lord of the Rings fan to be a fan of Hobbiton!

If this guide was helpful to you, make sure to check out my other North Island blogs before you go. I have lots of ideas for road trips, must-see attractions, and even hidden gems. After living and traveling around this country, I have lots to share!

27 BEST Hikes on the North Island of New Zealand (for all levels and abilities!)

12 Things to Know BEFORE Visiting Wētā Workshop Unleashed, Auckland

13 Best Places to Stop on the Drive from Auckland to Paihia (Bay of Islands)

3 BEST Ziplining Tours in Rotorua