13 hours
E-voucher
English
Overview
Spend a day exploring must-see cultural highlights on this full-day tour from Auckland. Explore the Shire at the renowned Hobbiton™ Movie Set: stroll through well-tended gardens, visit hobbit holes, and enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Then, explore Te Puia Geothermal Park, with blue baths and geothermal springs, as well as a Māori cultural tour. Discover local history and culture on this family-friendly tour with included hotel pickup.
Operated by
Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
4.85
/ 5
34 traveller ratings
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A beautiful day of adventure!
victorial268, May 2026
It was a packed day that started early in the morning but our guide Jeoff brought kind positivity, was extremely organised and taught us more about New Zealand’s rich and varied culture along the way. Hobbiton was beautiful. Then we got lucky and spotted kiwi birds AND geysers at Te Puia. I would recommend this trip especially if you have limited time and want to see as much as possible in one day!
Brilliant day and John is a fantastic facilitator
NJR8, May 2026
John is a brilliant tour guide/driver. A lot of fun, informative, kept the group energy up from 5.45 till the drop-off. I had a thought to drop off at Rotorua for the Māori show if there were tickets. He went out of his way to check a hotel room where they normally stay. He called the office to check if I could be picked up the next day. All was set but the evenin experience ticket I had seen was gone. But I appreciated the effort and desire to help me experience the Māori evening. Def recommended and will do more with them.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! It's great to hear John kept the energy up all day and went the extra mile trying to arrange that Maori evening for you — that's exactly the kind of care we love to hear about. We hope to welcome you on another tour soon! - GM, Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Journey to the Shire
allendelmundo_, Apr 2026
It was the best! The drive there was smooth and our driver Trent made sure to keep us all comfortable with some snacks and water along the way. He also made sure to inform us of the time, where to meet, and what to do to make sure the entire trip would go without a hitch. Hobbiton was the best and we thoroughly enjoyed it. If you want more time we would suggest getting a somewhat private tour to really get into the world of the Hobbits and enjoy it freely. All the admission fees were already included in the package though, so we can’t complain. One thing we would have wished for Te Puia would have been to experience the cultural presentation and see the Haka. Unfortunately the tour only included the first package. We suggest upgrading even just to the higher package next to it to avail of the cultural performance which we think will tie up the whole experience and make it better. Aside from that, the tour was amazing. Worth enjoying a full day of driving, seeing the sights, and learning more about New Zealand.
Outstanding tour guide Cam Mans who really took care of everyone the whole way through. Well planned and well executed
rumi00, Mar 2026
Well planned and comfortable vehicle
Itinerary
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.
Waikato Region
Exiting Auckland we travel south through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world, encountering beautiful scenery, mighty rivers, great photo opportunities, impressive mountains and a variety of farm animals along the way.
Hobbiton Movie Set
Arriving at the first feature attraction ‘Hobbiton’ you will board one of the big green Hobbiton buses and depart on a two and 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 complimentary beverage at the famous Hobbiton pub ‘The Green Dragon Inn’.
3 hoursAdmission IncludedTirau
Departing for Rotorua we pass through Tirau on our adventure. Dubbed the 'Corrugated Iron Capital of the World' because of the many unique corrugated iron sculptures and buildings, this town never fails to get a look and a laugh and our guides will point out all the main highlights on the way through.
Te Puia
Arriving at our second feature destination, Te Puia, you will receive a fully guided tour to best experience the geothermal and Maori cultural wonders including: Pōhutu Geyser, Māori Architecture, The National Māori Arts School, geothermal craters, geothermal events and even the chance to view a Kiwi bird in the Kiwi viewing house.
2 hoursAdmission IncludedRotorua
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. If there is time, we may even visit a special souvenir shop for some discounted shopping and to try Manuka Honey.
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 minutes
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Hobbiton Movie Set & Te Puia Guided Tours
Exclusions
- Restroom on board
Additional Information
- 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
- Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. You can provide your own or one can be provided for $20 NZD (with 24 hours notice).
- Not recommended for travelers with severe mobility difficulties, a moderate amount of walking is involved.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- Minimum numbers apply - if minimum numbers are not met you will be offered an alterative tour, reschedule, or full refund
- The legal drinking age is 18, and ID may be required
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.