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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. 

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Quick Itinerary Details

New Zealand Independent Tour

This suggested tour costs from NZD$1,550 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland

3 days/2 nights

Motels

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 282 times in the last 7 days

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

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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. 

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 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.

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

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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.

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Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour
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Apr 3, 2024
(Wednesday)
NZD$1,550 NZD$1,845 Enquire Book
Apr 4, 2024
(Thursday)
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Apr 5, 2024
(Friday)
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Apr 6, 2024
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Apr 10, 2024
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Apr 11, 2024
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Apr 14, 2024
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Apr 15, 2024
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Apr 16, 2024
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Apr 17, 2024
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Apr 18, 2024
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Apr 20, 2024
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Apr 22, 2024
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Apr 24, 2024
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Apr 25, 2024
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Apr 26, 2024
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Apr 27, 2024
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Apr 28, 2024
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Apr 29, 2024
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Apr 30, 2024
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May 1, 2024
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May 3, 2024
(Friday)
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