Private Tour: Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Cave Experience
Overview
Pair Waitomo’s underground beauty with the charm of Hobbiton™ Movie Set on a luxury private day tour from Auckland. Begin with a peaceful boat ride beneath thousands of glowworms at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, then enjoy an included café-style lunch before continuing to the Shire. Explore the carefully crafted settings featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, discovering familiar landmarks and stories from the films. Comfortable private transport and your dedicated Guest Experience Host complete a day of natural wonder and cinematic discovery.
What's Included
- Lunch Cafe style lunch or buffet lunch at the Hobbiton party marquee (subject to availability).
- Stare up at thousands of glowing glow-worms above you
- Chance to step into a real The Lord of the Rings film set
- Private transportation
- Marvel at awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites inside the iconic Waitomo Glow-worm Caves
- Complimentary beverages at Green Dragon Inn
- Luxurious temperature controlled transportation in a minibus
- Walk through the Cathedral Cave and experience the amazing acoustics
- All Fees and Taxes
- Immerse yourself in geology and history of the Waitomo caves with the help of your tour guide
- Admission to 45 minutes guided tour of Waitomo Glow worm Caves
- Fully guided private return transfers from Auckland
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Be captivated by the thousands of magical glow-worms as you glide silently on a boat
- Complimentary pick up and drop off from Auckland
- Complimentary refreshments and water onboard
- Opportunity to have a drink at the cosy Green Dragon Inn
- WiFi on board
- Complimentary High-Speed Internet onboard the minibus
- A local English-speaking tour escort throughout the tour
- Remarkable 360-degree views of the rolling Kaimai ranges
- Amazing photo opportunities in front of every hobbit holes
- Admission to a boat ride through the Glowworm grotto
- Admission to 2 hours guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set
- Listen to fascinating stories from your guide as you explore the 12-acre set
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Meeting and Pickup
8 Customs Street East
Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Auckland Central
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Bombay Hills (pass by)
Robert Harris
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Te Awamutu (pass by)
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
1 hour Admission Ticket Included
Hobbiton Movie Set
2 hours Admission Ticket Included
Auckland Central
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for the conditions, Sun protection, jacket/warm layer, & any essential personal items.
- Easy and good fitness level required.
- This is a guided walking tour and sensible walking footwear is recommended.
- Bring a camera or a phone with camera capability as Hobbiton is the perfect place to get some great travel photos.
- You must be at least 18 years of age and present a valid photo ID in order to consume alcohol.
- No photography is permitted inside the Waitomo caves, and cameras and Go Pros cannot be taken on the tour.
- Tours are suitable for people of all ages and average fitness. Our scenic walks are short and optional. Please let our guide know at check in if you have any fitness concerns.
- Tours operate in all weather conditions; umbrellas are provided in the event of rain.
- We can accommodate a stroller or a pram, provided it is fully collapsible and can fit in the luggage compartment of our buses.
- The caves are accessible to those with reasonable mobility, as there are good handrails and paths. There is no wheelchair access.
- We stay dry – the tour does not involve using a wet suit or abseiling or river rapids, it’s very easy.
- The tour takes place in the outdoors and cave temperatures are cool even in summer (10°C/50°F) so we do recommend bringing a jacket and comfortable walking shoes.
- You must be able to climb and descend stairs and walk on unpaved or uneven terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Tour: Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Cave Experience?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-168163P17
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 16 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- Lunch. Cafe style lunch or buffet lunch at the Hobbiton party marquee (subject to availability).
- Stare up at thousands of glowing glow-worms above you.
- Chance to step into a real The Lord of the Rings film set.
- Private transportation.
- Marvel at awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites inside the iconic Waitomo Glow-worm Caves.
- Complimentary beverages at Green Dragon Inn.
- Luxurious temperature controlled transportation in a minibus.
- Walk through the Cathedral Cave and experience the amazing acoustics.
- All Fees and Taxes.
- Immerse yourself in geology and history of the Waitomo caves with the help of your tour guide.
- Admission to 45 minutes guided tour of Waitomo Glow worm Caves.
- Fully guided private return transfers from Auckland.
- Air-conditioned vehicle.
- Be captivated by the thousands of magical glow-worms as you glide silently on a boat.
- Complimentary pick up and drop off from Auckland.
- Complimentary refreshments and water onboard.
- Opportunity to have a drink at the cosy Green Dragon Inn.
- WiFi on board.
- Complimentary High-Speed Internet onboard the minibus.
- A local English-speaking tour escort throughout the tour.
- Remarkable 360-degree views of the rolling Kaimai ranges.
- Amazing photo opportunities in front of every hobbit holes.
- Admission to a boat ride through the Glowworm grotto.
- Admission to 2 hours guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set.
- Listen to fascinating stories from your guide as you explore the 12-acre set.
- Breakfast.
- Dinner.
The minimum age to participate is 12. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Private Tour: Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Cave Experience is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Tour: Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Cave Experience will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- LunchCafe style lunch or buffet lunch at the Hobbiton party marquee (subject to availability).
- Stare up at thousands of glowing glow-worms above you
- Chance to step into a real The Lord of the Rings film set
- Private transportation
- Marvel at awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites inside the iconic Waitomo Glow-worm Caves
- Complimentary beverages at Green Dragon Inn
- Luxurious temperature controlled transportation in a minibus
- Walk through the Cathedral Cave and experience the amazing acoustics
- All Fees and Taxes
- Immerse yourself in geology and history of the Waitomo caves with the help of your tour guide
- Admission to 45 minutes guided tour of Waitomo Glow worm Caves
- Fully guided private return transfers from Auckland
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Be captivated by the thousands of magical glow-worms as you glide silently on a boat
- Complimentary pick up and drop off from Auckland
- Complimentary refreshments and water onboard
- Opportunity to have a drink at the cosy Green Dragon Inn
- WiFi on board
- Complimentary High-Speed Internet onboard the minibus
- A local English-speaking tour escort throughout the tour
- Remarkable 360-degree views of the rolling Kaimai ranges
- Amazing photo opportunities in front of every hobbit holes
- Admission to a boat ride through the Glowworm grotto
- Admission to 2 hours guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set
- Listen to fascinating stories from your guide as you explore the 12-acre set
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for the conditions, Sun protection, jacket/warm layer, & any essential personal items.
- Easy and good fitness level required.
- This is a guided walking tour and sensible walking footwear is recommended.
- Bring a camera or a phone with camera capability as Hobbiton is the perfect place to get some great travel photos.
- You must be at least 18 years of age and present a valid photo ID in order to consume alcohol.
- No photography is permitted inside the Waitomo caves, and cameras and Go Pros cannot be taken on the tour.
- Tours are suitable for people of all ages and average fitness. Our scenic walks are short and optional. Please let our guide know at check in if you have any fitness concerns.
- Tours operate in all weather conditions; umbrellas are provided in the event of rain.
- We can accommodate a stroller or a pram, provided it is fully collapsible and can fit in the luggage compartment of our buses.
- The caves are accessible to those with reasonable mobility, as there are good handrails and paths. There is no wheelchair access.
- We stay dry – the tour does not involve using a wet suit or abseiling or river rapids, it’s very easy.
- The tour takes place in the outdoors and cave temperatures are cool even in summer (10°C/50°F) so we do recommend bringing a jacket and comfortable walking shoes.
- You must be able to climb and descend stairs and walk on unpaved or uneven terrain.
