When planning our itinerary in Auckland, we thought of venturing out to the outskirts and was attracted by the Waitomo Glowworm cave and Hobbiton Movie Set attractions. We did some research and found this tour which is in a small group that is more private and have lesser people. They even offer pickup and drop off at our hotel which is very convenient for us.
Early morning around 6am, we were picked by the guide on time at our hotel lobby with around 10 other guests just like us most of them were from the USA and Canada.
Cost?
Adult
NZD275.00
Youth(8-14 Years)
NZD175.00
Child (4-7 Years)
NZD149.00
Infant (0-3 Years)
NZD99.00
Get your ticket here:
Total Tour Duration:
Around 11 Hours
Waitomo Glowworm Cave
The oldest attraction in New Zealand, with remarkable stalactites, stalagmites and thousands of tiny glowworms. We were ushered and guided throughout the Boat Ride on the river in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves the cave
Where?
39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3977, New Zealand
Operating Hour:
Open daily 10:00 -15:30
Tours depart from 10:00 -15:30 (extra tours added during school & public holidays)
Allow 1 hour
Check-in 30 minutes prior to tour departure.
Cost?
If you do not wish to join a tour group you can get your ticket here:
We were the first tour group that arrived and was brought to the cafe to wait for our turn to go in.
Duration:
1 Hour
We walked a long way before we are usher to the boat. It is a little slippery when you are inside the cave so be careful. Photography and video are not permitted inside the Waitomo Glowworm Caves but is allowed in Ruakuri Cave and Aranui Cave.
The guide is the direct descendants of the Maori chief who originally explored the cave. Along the way through to the boat ride he would tell us the story and explaining the history, features and legends of the cave which is very interesting.
Hobbiton Movie Set
In the heart of the Waikato region, experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, as we journey through the absolute beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. A guide will escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made.
Where?
501 Buckland Road, Matamata 3472, New Zealand
Operating Hour
09:00-17:00
Tours depart at least three to five times daily from 9:30. Additional departures may be added based on demand.
Cost?
ADULT (17 years and over).
89NZD
YOUTH (9-16 years). Youth 14 years or younger must be accompanied by a full paying adult.
44NZD
CHILD (0-8 years). Children are FREE but must have a ticket allocated prior to arrival and be accompanied by a full paying adult.
Free
FAMILY PASS (includes 2x Adults and 2x Youth). Additional tickets can be added at rates above and must be booked at time of purchase. Please include a ticket for every child in your group.
225NZD
If you do not wish to join a tour group you can get your ticket here:
At the ticket booth
Duration:
2 hours (including transport between The Shire’s Rest and the Movie Set)
We had our lunch at the Hobbiton Movie set as it was included inside the tour.
After our lunch, we were asked to gather at The Shire’s Rest™boarding area to board the bus.
Tour departure queuing area
Boarding the bus
On the bus, there is a tour guide who will be guiding us along the way as the bus drives to the movie set, along the way we will drive past the vast grassland where we could see the farm animals resting and wandering around.
After a few minutes, we reached the Hobbiton movie set.
Along the way we were given time to take a photos with the houses.
Some of the house we can peak in to see the interior of it, however, we are not allowed to enter.
The most iconic house where all of us would queue to take a photo in front of it.
Along the way to the houses we would see the props that were kept here just as how the movie was.
We were lucky that day as the weather was great and nice.
The festive market corner before we get to the Dragon Inn.
At the Dragon inn, we were given a choice to choose our complimentary drink.
We had the The Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ Frogmorton Ginger Beer. There were 5 types of beverages where you can choose from alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage. After our drinks the tour for the day has ended we were then send back to The Shire’s Rest™.
Overall:
We had an awesome trip the glowworn cave is interesting even thought might be a little wet when walking down the stairs and is a little cold so remember to wear a jacket and covered shoe. When we were on the boat it was pitch dark and you can see the beautiful glowworm at the top we did not took any photos or video inside as it was prohibited and also it is good to enjoy the moment quiet and peaceful. The Hobbiton movie set food were actually quite good, above my expectation. Got to thanks the weather as it was beautiful, all the photos took we were also given enough time at each site to take photos. Remember to go to the toilet before boarding the bus as there is only one toilet at the movie set and you wouldn’t want to miss the first part of the tour.
I would recommend my friends or relatives who are going to New Zealand, Auckland to add this one day trip in their itinerary as it was a fun and educational journey. The guide who accompany us for the day was friendly and knowledgeable as he would introduce and explained to us the history and story of places. As we had some time left before the end of our tour for the day our guide add in one more stop where we can have some dessert before returning back to our hotel.
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