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Home / Tours / FlexiTours Hobbiton and Waitomo

FlexiToursNZ · Auckland or Rotorua

Hobbiton and the caves, either way

FlexiToursNZ drives you to the Hobbiton Movie Set and the Waitomo Glowworm Cave in one day, starting in Auckland or Rotorua and ending in either. Pick it if you are moving between the two cities anyway, or want both sights and lunch in a van of 9 or 12 people at most.

Hobbiton and Waitomo from Auckland or Rotorua

About this experience

The cave here is the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, the original 45-minute tour with its boat ride, paired with the Hobbiton Movie Set. What sets this trip apart is the routing. You book one way or return, from Auckland or Rotorua, so there are four start and finish combinations and you can end the day in the other city. Pickup and drop-off are at central accommodation.

At Hobbiton a bus takes you into the set for a guided walking tour, followed by a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon and a buffet lunch in the Hobbiton marquee. At Waitomo you walk through the cave's formations with a guide and leave on a small boat through the Glowworm Grotto. The day runs 11 to 13 hours, depending on your route. Hobbiton admission, Waitomo Caves admission, the guide and lunch are included; snacks, water and tips are not. Start times change by date, so check availability on the booking page to see them.

FlexiToursNZ fits fewer seats than standard in its vehicles, with only 3 in the back row, and keeps groups to 9 or 12. Guests say there is time for photos at Hobbiton; inside the Glowworm Cave there are none, per Discover Waitomo. Our tip: choose your start and finish points carefully when you book. The listing calls it essential, or the driver may not be able to return you where you want to go.

  • One way or return between Auckland and Rotorua
  • A guided walking tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set
  • A drink at the Green Dragon and a buffet lunch
  • The 45-minute Glowworm Cave tour, out by boat
  • Groups of 9 or 12 at most, with extra legroom
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

How the day runs

  1. MorningPickup

    Your driver collects you from central accommodation in Auckland or Rotorua, depending on the option you booked.

  2. At HobbitonThe Shires Rest

    Time to grab something to eat or browse the souvenir shop before the set tour.

  3. Hobbiton tourInto the set

    A bus takes you into the Hobbiton Movie Set for a guided walk, then a drink at the Green Dragon.

  4. LunchBuffet in the marquee

    A buffet lunch at the Hobbiton marquee, included.

  5. At WaitomoThe Glowworm Cave

    The 45-minute tour: formations on foot, then a small boat through the Glowworm Grotto.

  6. 11 to 13 hoursDrop-off

    Back to your hotel in Auckland or Rotorua, or on to the other city if you booked one way.

An empty wooden boat moored at a lamp-lit landing inside a limestone caveGreen limestone country around Waitomo with rocky outcrops and native bush, early morning mist

What's included

Included

  • Pickup and drop-off at central accommodation
  • Guide
  • Hobbiton Movie Set admission
  • Waitomo Caves admission
  • Buffet lunch at the Hobbiton marquee
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Not included

  • Snacks
  • Water
  • Tips

Who it suits

Book it if

  • You are traveling between Auckland and Rotorua and want the day to count
  • You want Hobbiton and the glowworms without driving
  • You like a small van with legroom
  • You are happy with a long, full day

Skip it if

What guests say

★★★★★

The tour was just great. Michelle was very entertaining and told us a lot about New Zealand during the drive. [...] Hobbiton was a highlight. The tour was really well organized. We had plenty of time to look at everything at our leisure and take photos. The food far exceeded my expectations. Waitomo was also very interesting and well organized.

Gülgün · Nov 2026
★★★★★

It was excellent! Hobbiton and Waitomo were both wonderful places to visit. It was very useful for me not to have to rent a car from Rotorua since I needed to wind up in Auckland for my flight home. [...]

Claudia · Oct 2026
★★★★★

Both destinations were very beautiful. The organization of the visit to Hobbitown was excellent, with a wonderful and enthusiastic guide and a lunch that far exceeded expectations. The transfer service from Rotorua to Auckland was perfect for combining the two visits and the drop-off in AUK without wasting any time. Very comfortable vans and service for a small group. [...]

Francesca · Sep 2026

Tips before you book

  • Pick the right option. There are 4 start and finish combinations, and the listing says choosing correctly is essential.
  • Wear sensible shoes and bring layers: there is a fair amount of walking on uneven ground, and the weather can change through the day.
  • Pack water and a snack. Neither is included.
  • Keep the camera in your bag in the Glowworm Cave: photos are not allowed inside.
  • Comparing the day trips? See our Waitomo from Auckland guide.

Read next:

Frequently asked questions

Can I do Hobbiton and Waitomo one way from Rotorua to Auckland?

Yes. This tour runs one way or return, from Auckland or Rotorua. Choose your start and finish points carefully when you book.

Is lunch included on this Hobbiton and Waitomo tour?

Yes: a buffet lunch at the Hobbiton marquee, plus a drink at the Green Dragon. Snacks, water and tips are not included.

Which Waitomo cave does this tour visit?

The Waitomo Glowworm Cave: the 45-minute guided tour that ends on a small boat through the Glowworm Grotto. Photos are not allowed inside.

How long is the Hobbiton and Waitomo tour from Auckland or Rotorua?

11 to 13 hours, depending on your route. Check availability for start times; you can cancel free up to 24 hours before.

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Hobbiton and the Waitomo caves between Auckland and Rotorua, one way or return.

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Hobbiton and the Waitomo caves between Auckland and Rotorua, one way or return.

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