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Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves tour from Auckland with lush landscapes.
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Hobbiton Movie Set Tour: Where the Shire comes to life

Tucked away in New Zealand’s picturesque Waikato region is the Hobbiton Movie Set, where the Shire from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films comes to life. Take a guided tour past iconic Hobbit Holes and iconic filming locations like Bag End and Bagshot Row before capping off your Middle Earth journey with a complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn.

From private tours to exploring nearby popular spots like Te Puia and Waitomo Caves, there is a tour for everyone. Scroll down to learn more about different ticket options, timings, and helpful tips to make your visit from Auckland to Hobbiton hassle-free.

Navigate your Hobbiton movie set tour guide

  1. Understanding your Hobbiton tour options
  2. How to select the best Hobbiton movie set tour
  3. Map out your Auckland to Hobbiton tour
  4. Hobbiton movie set tour: highlights you can’t miss
  5. Hobbiton movie set tour FAQs

Decoding your Hobbiton movie set tour options

Hobbiton shared tour

Hobbiton shared tour

Ideal for: Budget solo travelers and film enthusiasts

Duration: 8 - 8.25 hours

Price: NZ$275

  • This shared tour includes a guided tour of the movie set, a complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn, and round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland. 
  • Choose from a variety of upgradable options that include a private group tour and a shared group tour with a banquet lunch.

Recommended experiences:

Small Group Guided Tour of Hobbiton Movie Set
Hobbiton private tour

Hobbiton private tour

Ideal for: Families and high-end travelers

Duration: 8 - 8.25 hours

Price: NZ$899

  • Explore the iconic Hobbit-sized homes in an intimate setting and get access to a Mercedes luxury vehicle for seamless round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland.
  • Upgrade your tour to a private Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves tour to see the glowworms lighting up the cave in a blue bioluminescent glow.

Recommended experiences:

Hobbiton Movie Set Private Tour
Hobbiton tour with meal

Hobbiton tour with meal

Ideal for: Families, food lovers, and locals looking for a getaway

Duration: 8.25 hrs

Price: NZ$291 to NZ$502

  • Savor a banquet-style lunch at Hobbiton featuring hearty dishes that celebrate Middle Earth's rustic charm.
  • Get to indulge in a traditional Māori hangi dinner buffet featuring locally sourced meats, fish, and vegetables cooked in geothermal steam.

Recommended experiences:

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive LunchHobbiton & Te Puia Tour with Hobbiton Lunch & Maori Dinner Buffet
Hobbiton tour with Waitomo caves and other attractions

Hobbiton tour with other attractions

Ideal for: Nature, geological, film, and culture enthusiasts

Duration: 7 - 13.25 hrs

Price: NZ$399 to NZ$445

  • One trip, multiple attractions - From taking a boat ride to seeing thousands of glowworms illuminate Watoko Caves to seeing the Lady Knox Geyser erupting to 20 meters in the air. 
  • Although a longer and more extensive option, you get to enjoy the bubbling mud pools in Te Puia or drive by Rotorua’s notable landmarks such as the Rotorua Lake and the Spanish-style Blue Baths in Government Gardens. 

Recommended experiences:

Hobbiton Movie Set, Waitomo Caves, & Te Puia Guided TourHobbiton Movie Set, Wai-O-Tapu, & Rotorua Guided Tour

Choosing the right Hobbiton movie set tour

After learning about the different types of Hobbiton movie set tours, let’s explore how to choose the experience that perfectly matches your needs.

  • All the Hobbiton movie set tours offer round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland except one experience which offers a one-way transfer from Auckland to Rotorua. Along with the transfers, the tours include an English-speaking guide and a complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn.
  • You can choose a Hobbiton day tour from Auckland with the festive lunch that lets you indulge in Hobbit-style foods and beverages after your tour or opt for a private guided tour of the movie set, which includes round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland in a Mercedes luxury vehicle. 
  • If you are looking to cover multiple attractions in one day, we recommend the Hobbiton and Waitomo tour where you can cover the Hobbiton movie set and see the glowworms lighting up Waitomo Caves easily. But if you are looking to experience Maori culture in the truest sense, you can opt for the Hobbiton and Te Puia guided tour where you can watch Maori elders teach their students weaving and wood carving skills.
  • The difference between the Hobbiton shared tour and the private tour is the type of vehicle used for the transfers. The former uses an AC minibus and costs NZ$275, whereas the latter uses a Mercedes luxury vehicle and costs NZ$899. Apart from the above, the Hobbiton movie set tour with just the festive lunch costs NZ$291, whereas the Hobbiton movie tour with the festive lunch and Hangi dinner buffet costs NZ$502, making it perfect for culture and food enthusiasts.
  • If you are looking to just explore Hobbiton, you can pick either the private tour or the shared tour, which takes between 8 - 8.25 hours. But if you are looking to visit nearby spots after your Hobbiton tour, you can choose the Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves guided tour or the Hobbiton, Wai-O-Tapu, & Rotorua guided tour, which takes between 12 - 13 hours.

Plan your Auckland to Hobbiton tour

Aerial view of Hobbiton movie set

A standard Hobbiton movie set tour from Auckland lasts about 8 hours. However, the movie set tour along with lunch, dinner, or other popular spots may take up to 13 hours to include more stops along the way.

The Hobbiton movie touris open daily except Christmas with several operators offering tours from 9am to 5:30pm.

Family taking a selfie in front of a hobbit house with a round door and charming details at Hobbiton Movie Set on a small group tour from Auckland
  • Peak season: Summer (Nov to Feb)
  • Low season: Winter (Jun - Aug)

You can go on the Hobbiton movie set tour any time of the year. However, the summer season sees the most number of visitors due to the school holidays. Plus, the warm temperature ( 2° to 26°C) and the coastal breezes make it ideal for exploring the movie set.

If you prefer fewer crowds, winter (Jun - Aug) is a good time to get yourself the Hobbiton movie set tickets. The fog enveloping the double-arched stone bridge and the Mill with the sunlight cutting through it creates the perfect backdrop for your Instagram photos.

AC minibus

The day trips start from Auckland and take 2.5 hours to reach the set. On the way, enjoy the lush farmland, the turquoise Waikato River, and the rugged Kaimai Range.

Most of the day trips offer round-trip hotel transfers in an AC minibus along with water and snacks. Those looking to travel in style can opt for the private Hobbiton tour, which offers round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland in a luxurious Mercedes vehicle.

With expert drivers at the helm, you can smoothly commute from your hotel to theHobbiton movie set while enjoying a scenic drive through the vibrant lands of New Zealand.

Tour guide leading a small group across a stone bridge at Hobbiton Movie Set
  • Hobbiton guide: Your guide will be there with you throughout the tour, sharing movie anecdotes and pointing out iconic spots and unique details.
  • Lockers: Visitors can store large luggage in the locked storage lockers at the Shire’s Rest.
  • The Shire’s Rest Cafe: Munch on some snacks and sip on some beer or coffee while enjoying the Kaimai Ranges before your tour.
  • The Shire Store: Whether you want exclusive branded clothing, Weta collectibles, or the books, shop to your heart’s content in the store.
  • The Green Dragon Inn: Sit by the warm fire and enjoy a complimentary beverage from the Southfarthing Range in the rustic pub.
  • Party Marquee: A fully themed area adjacent to the Green Dragon Inn decorated with colorful lanterns where you can enjoy a Hobbit-style buffet lunch or dinner.
  • Parking: There is free parking available at the Shire’s Rest for visitors, including large vehicles and camper vans. However, overnight parking is not allowed.
Golf cart

The Hobbiton movie tour is 2.5 hours and covers a walking distance of 2kms. Here are a few things to keep in mind when booking your tour:

  • The interior Hobbit Holes on Bagshot Row, the top level of The Millhouse, The Shire’s Rest, and the Green Dragon Inn are wheelchair accessible except for some of the lower levels of the movie set and the gate at Bag End.
  • Visitors with a walking frame can opt for the tour as long as it is collapsible and can be stored in the undercarriage of the bus when transporting to and from the movie set. However, visitors will have to carry it with them for the duration of the tour.
  • Visitors with mobility issues can use the mobility restriction golf cart which goes on an altered route around the movie set with a staff member driving the golf cart. 
  • The mobility restriction golf arts can seat only two visitors with a combined maximum weight of 200kgs and must be pre-arranged at least 72 hours in advance.
  • There are accessible bathrooms at the Shire’s Rest and the Green Dragon Inn.
  • Guests with guide dogs must provide proof from an organisation recognised by the NZ Dog Control Act.
  • Visitors must ensure their service dog is on a leash at all times and wears an identification tag with the owner's name, address and telephone number. 
  • Visitors with hearing impairments and non-English speaking visitors can download the Hobbiton™ Tour Companion App to complement the guided tour. The app offers key written information shared by the tour guides translated into 15 languages.
No pets allowed
  • Dress code: Wear smart casual clothes except those with offensive writing or images. 
  • Strollers: Collapsible strollers or prams are allowed on the tour except for twin strollers. However, the cobblestone and bumpy paths might make it difficult to navigate the strollers.
  • Smoking: Vaping and smoking are not allowed during the tour experience. However, visitors can use the designated smoking areas in the Green Dragon Inn.
  • Pets: No pets are allowed on the set except for registered service or assistance dogs.
  • Baggage: Large luggage is not allowed on the Hobbiton bus or the tour.
  • ID proof: Visitors must be able to present valid ID proof to the staff before being served alcohol in the set’s eating and drinking venues.
  • Age restriction: All visitors under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Photography and videography: Visitors can take photos and videos for personal use. However, drones and large tripods are not allowed inside the venue.
Wear comfortable shoes
  • Choose the perfect time: Book an early morning or late afternoon slot to avoid the heat and the crowd and get the perfect light for pictures. 
  • Wear comfortable shoes: The tour requires a lot of walking. Hence, it is recommended to wear sneakers or walking shoes to prevent foot aches. 
  • Carry extra warm layers: Always keep a jacket or scarf handy to keep yourself warm during the winter months.
  • Bring sun protection: Carry a sunscreen and hat or sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun, especially during the summer months. 
  • Carry rainproof objects: Bring an umbrella and rainproof jacket during the autumn months.
Wai-O-Tapu
  1. Te Puia: Explore Te Puia, home to Maori traditions and craftsmanship, steaming mud pools, a kiwi conservatory, and erupting geysers.
  2. Waitomo Caves: Hop on a boat and drift through Waitomo Caves where glowworms light up the limestone caves and stalagmites.
  3. Rotorua: Learn about the city’s history and heritage as you drive by iconic landmarks such as Lake Rotorua, Government Gardens, and the Blue Baths.
  4. Wai-O-Tapu: Visit this geothermal attraction near Rotorua, which is famous for the bright green Devil's Bath and the daily eruption of the Lady Knox geyser.

Top highlights of the Hobbiton movie set tour

Houses at Hobbiton Movie Set

Hobbit Holes

Small, whimsical houses with colorful doors and tiny windows scattered across the lush hills of Hobbiton.

Home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins at Hobbiton Movie Set
The Party Tree at Hobbiton Movie Set
Green Dragon's Inn at Hobbiton Movie Set
The Mill at Hobbiton Movie Set

Frequently asked questions about the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

What can I expect from the Hobbiton movie set tour?

The tour takes approximately 2.5 hours. It begins with a short bus ride from The Shire’s Rest to the movie set. Once you reach there, your guide takes you on a 1.5-hour walking tour where you get to see different Hobbit Holes, go inside one or two, and walk past iconic spots like Bagshot Row. The tour ends with a 20-minute visit to The Green Dragon Inn where you enjoy a complimentary beverage before taking the bus back to the Shire’s Rest.

Does the complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn only cover alcoholic beverages?

Yes, the complimentary beverage also extends to non-alcoholic beverages. You can choose their delicious non-alcoholic ginger beer from the Southfarthing range to enjoy drinking in Hobbit-style.

How early should I make my Hobbiton movie set ticket bookings?

Get your Hobbiton tickets at least six weeks in advance as the tickets tend to sell out very quickly.

Can you wear costumes to the Hobbiton movie set tour?

Costumes with soft props are allowed on the Hobbiton tour. However, due to safety concerns, weapons or accessories are not allowed inside the venue.

What is the cancellation policy for Hobbiton movie tours?

The cancelation policy for Hobbiton tours varies from experience to experience. While some may allow cancelation up to 24 hours before departure, some have cancelation up to 7 days. Some tours may also not allow cancelation. Read the cancelation policy of your ticket carefully before making the booking.

How long do you spend inside the Hobbit Hole?

It will take you around 16 minutes to explore the interior of the Hobbit Hole with your tour guide.

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