Breadcrumb
New Zealand tour itinerary name and information
Thrifty Tours

Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour

This 3 day tour begins in Auckland and is enjoyed from the comfort of an escorted mini-bus. Travel through the stunning countryside before enjoying a fully guided tour of Waitomo Caves and Te Puia Geothermal Park. A true highlight is the guided tour through the filming locations of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit. See New Zealand's most awarded cultural attraction Te Pā Tū at the Tamaki Maori Village and indulge in the history and traditions. Scroll down and read the full itinerary below to see how this action packed tour would suit you or contact our team of NZ Travel Specialists to customise. 

Currency selector
Select your currency to view indicative pricing
Tour summary and feature
Quick Itinerary Details

Independent tour (bus & coach)

This suggested tour costs from NZD$1,590 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland

3 days/2 nights

Motels

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 221 times in the last 7 days

price pp from
NZD$1,590
twin share/double
Tour at a glance

Day 1: You will be taken on an adventure to Hobbiton and Waitomo caves
Accommodation: Silver Fern Suites & Spa

Day 2: Enjoy ziplining action in the morning, and cultural experience and dinner in Maori village in the evening
Accommodation: Silver Fern Suites & Spa

Day 3: This morning explore volcanic and geothermal Rotorua before traveling back to Auckland

Tour full itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour - Day 1
Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton Movie Set and Picnic Lunch with Gray Line / GreatSights

Take a journey through the heart of the Central North Island, taking in the Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton Movie Set on a full-day sightseeing tour. Setting off from Auckland, travel through the lush farmland of the Waikato and King Country regions, enjoying your driver guide’s entertaining and informative commentary. At the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, take a guided tour through impressive underground caverns and learn how stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone structures were formed over millions of years. Your tour includes a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto – glide silently along an underground river as you gaze at the twinkling glowworms overhead. Then, travel to Matamata, take a guided tour of the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, located inside a picturesque 1,250 acre sheep and beef farm. Here, the village of Hobbiton 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. The tour includes a picnic lunch. After visiting Waitomo and Hobbiton, continue to Rotorua.

Your accommodation: Silver Fern Suites & Spa

Silver Fern Suites & Spa is located just minutes from Rotorua's city centre and is close to popular thermal attractions, cafes, restaurants and golf courses. Suites have a private spa pool or double spa bath for you to unwind and relax.
Meals included: Lunch
Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour - Day 2
Original Ziplining Experience with Rotorua Canopy Tours

Embark on a three hour adventure through native New Zealand forest. Journey through the beautiful forest canopy via an incredible network of trails, tree platforms, Ziplines and swing bridges. See breathtaking views of the woodland valleys and hills as you fly through tight openings in the trees. In between the thrill of the ziplines and suspended tree bridges, your guides will share their passion and knowledge for the forest and the conservation challenges to preserve it. 

It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information see here.

Te Pā Tū Evening Maori Cultural Experience

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.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Behind the scenes exclusive tour with National Kiwi Hatchery

This comprehensive 1-hour guided experience is a truly unique opportunity to learn about the world-renowned kiwi hatchery conservation program. You ar...

Read more

This comprehensive 1-hour guided experience is a truly unique opportunity to learn about the world-renowned kiwi hatchery conservation program. You are invited to step ‘behind the glass’ for an immersive experience to join the hatchery team in a staff-only area to learn about the incubation and chick rearing techniques from global experts. Learn all about New Zealand’s intriguing national icon and the efforts of the kiwi husbandry team, see and discover what it takes to hatch and rare chicks, and if you’re lucky, see baby chicks in person! Afterwards, take more time to learn in the interactive kiwi burrow and see adult kiwi roam and forage in our purpose-built Nocturnal house.

Hide

Your accommodation: Silver Fern Suites & Spa

Silver Fern Suites & Spa is located just minutes from Rotorua's city centre and is close to popular thermal attractions, cafes, restaurants and golf courses. Suites have a private spa pool or double spa bath for you to unwind and relax.
Meals included: Lunch, Speciality Dinner
Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour - Day 3
Eco Thermal Park Tour with Elite Adventures

See it all, the ultimate volcanic and geothermal Rotorua Tour. Learn about the huge colourful hot springs, erupting geysers and active boiling mud pools, spectacular volcanoes and lush native forest. All on a fully guided 1/2 day tour in Rotorua. You'll travel through forestry and farmland to NZ's largest boiling mud pool and a series of colourful hot springs at Wai-o-tapu. Then see the Lady Knox geyser erupt. Next a short drive to the Waimangu Volcanic valley where your guide will explain the Mt Tarawera eruption which blew open this spectacular, bush covered, geothermal park.

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.

Tour departure list
See all departure dates & prices
Departure dates and prices
This tour has 400 departure dates.
All prices are in
Go to dates in
Starts Status   Double (2 people sharing) Single occupancy You save  
Nov 27, 2024
(Wednesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Nov 28, 2024
(Thursday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Nov 29, 2024
(Friday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Nov 30, 2024
(Saturday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 1, 2024
(Sunday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 2, 2024
(Monday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 3, 2024
(Tuesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 4, 2024
(Wednesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 5, 2024
(Thursday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 6, 2024
(Friday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 7, 2024
(Saturday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 8, 2024
(Sunday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 9, 2024
(Monday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 10, 2024
(Tuesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 11, 2024
(Wednesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 12, 2024
(Thursday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 13, 2024
(Friday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 14, 2024
(Saturday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 15, 2024
(Sunday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 16, 2024
(Monday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 17, 2024
(Tuesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 18, 2024
(Wednesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 19, 2024
(Thursday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 20, 2024
(Friday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 21, 2024
(Saturday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 22, 2024
(Sunday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 23, 2024
(Monday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 24, 2024
(Tuesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 25, 2024
(Wednesday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 26, 2024
(Thursday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
Dec 27, 2024
(Friday)
Enquire Book NZD$1,590 NZD$1,950 Enquire Book
All prices are in
Go to dates in
Contact form
Send enquiry about this tour
Your contact information
Subscribe to our Regular Newsletter for Inspiring Holiday Ideas
Tour quick quote rework

Get an Instant Quote or Book this Tour

Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour

Step 1:
Step 2: Select number of passengers and room configuration
Step 3: Add these options

Enter phone number to get a call from a travel planning expert within in 24 hours

Enter email address to receive your instant quote

Tick this box if you do not wish to receive emails about special offers
No pricing loaded - please choose another date or contact us

Your quote for this tour:

Start date:
End date:
Guests:
Rooms:

Total cost for ALL guests on this tour package is:

NZD$0

or
This quote is based on vehicles to accommodate your party in the vehicle type. We suggest changing the car type or contacting us for the best options.
The package cost above excludes rental vehicle hire as you are requesting a price for a vehicle outside of our designated season. Please reach out direct for rental vehicle rates.

NOTE: Quotes are subject to availability of specific accommodation and other inclusions. Our NZ touring experts will be in touch with you regarding this. Costs quoted in currencies other than New Zealand dollars (NZ$) are based on todays exchange rate and is subject to change.Terms and Conditions apply

Remember - we can create this itinerary with any style of accommodation or customise to suit your interests and timeframe. Just contact us here.

Tour recommendation

Some similar tours to this one

3 days Map
Bay of Islands 3 Day Tour
View Tour
 
3 days Map
Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour
View Tour
 
3 days Map
Bay of Islands Escape
View Tour