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.
New Zealand Independent Tour
This suggested tour costs from NZD$1,590 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland
3 days/2 nights
Motels
Customisable? YES
Viewed 238 times in the last 7 days
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.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.
It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information see here.
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.
This exclusive 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.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.
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.
Starts | Status | Double (2 people sharing) | Single occupancy | You save | ||
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Dec 15, 2024
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 16, 2024
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 17, 2024
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 18, 2024
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 19, 2024
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 20, 2024
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 21, 2024
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 22, 2024
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 23, 2024
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 24, 2024
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 25, 2024
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 26, 2024
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 27, 2024
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 28, 2024
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 29, 2024
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 30, 2024
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Dec 31, 2024
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 1, 2025
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 2, 2025
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 3, 2025
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 4, 2025
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 5, 2025
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 6, 2025
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 7, 2025
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 8, 2025
(Wednesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 9, 2025
(Thursday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 10, 2025
(Friday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 11, 2025
(Saturday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 12, 2025
(Sunday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 13, 2025
(Monday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 | |||
Jan 14, 2025
(Tuesday) |
Enquire Book | NZD$1,590 | NZD$1,950 |
At NZ Coach Tours we choose only the best coach tours out there. We have up to date knowledge and experience, so we can give you the best advice on which tour is right for you. We can combine tours, maybe one tour that offers the best in the North Island and one that offers something different for the South Island. Our range of independent tours depart daily and can be custom designed to suit you perfectly. We have loads of accommodation options, activity ideas, and sell a beautiful destination that is guaranteed to blow you away!
Put simply - we have something for everyone and we are confident you will not be left disappointed.
In summary