Join us on an action-packed full-day tour from Auckland, where you’ll experience some of the North Island’s greatest highlights – from the magical film world of Hobbiton to Rotorua’s colourful, bubbling geothermal landscapes.

You’ll leave Auckland in the morning and travel south through the Waikato region’s lush, rolling countryside. Along the way, your guide will tell you about the areas you'll pass through, as the city gradually gives way to open fields and rural surroundings.

The first major experience of the day is the Hobbiton Movie Set, which provided the backdrop for Hobbiton in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. During a guided tour lasting approximately 2.5 hours, you’ll explore the distinctive hobbit holes and green hills while your guide shares stories about the filming and the work that went into bringing Tolkien’s magical world to life. You’ll also step inside a fully furnished hobbit home before the visit concludes at the cosy Green Dragon Inn, where an included drink awaits you.

From here, the tour continues towards the Rotorua area and Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, where the landscape bears witness to the immense forces hidden beneath the Earth’s surface. Here, you’ll walk through the geothermal area, passing steaming craters, bubbling mud pools, and colourful lakes. Among the best-known attractions are the vibrant Champagne Pool and the almost luminous green Devil’s Bath.

Lunch is not included on this tour, but there are several opportunities to purchase food and drinks at your own expense along the way.

The tour then continues through Rotorua, where you’ll see some of the city’s famous attractions on a guided drive, including Lake Rotorua, Government Gardens, and the historic Blue Baths.

Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s most active geothermal areas, and in several places, you can see steam rising from the landscape.

Later in the day, the tour will head back towards Auckland, where you’ll arrive in the evening.

Start and end point: Central Auckland (the exact meeting point and time are stated on your voucher). Please note that you are responsible for arranging transport to and from the meeting point (the start and end point).

Duration: Approximately 13 hours.

Difficulty level: Easy. The tour includes walks at both the Hobbiton Movie Set and Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland.

Group size: Maximum 16 people.

The price includes: Transport, a guide, admission, and a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, admission to Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, as well as snacks and water along the way.

Remember to bring: Practical clothing and footwear suitable for the weather, sun protection, and a camera.

Please note: The tour departs daily year-round, except from 23–26 December and on 1 January.