2025 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award

2024 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award

2023 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award

Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton Movie Set and Wai-O-Tapu

From NZD$429

4.9

(444 reviews)

Departs from: Auckland

Duration: 9 hours

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Travel from Auckland to Rotorua on a one-way, small-group adventure that blends movie magic with geothermal wonders. Journey through the lush Waikato countryside, step into Middle-earth at the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set, then continue south to Rotorua’s bubbling landscapes. With a fully guided experience, relaxed pacing, and unforgettable stops along the way, this tour delivers two North Island icons in one epic day. Expect big scenery, great stories, and plenty of photo-worthy moments.

Please note

While lunch is not provided on this tour, there will be several opportunities for you to purchase food along the way.

Itinerary

Why you’ll love this

Step into Middle Earth on a 2.5 hour fully guided Hobbiton tour

Rolling green hills and classic farmland through the heart of the Waikato

Surreal geothermal landscapes at Wai-O-Tapu

A seamless journey from Auckland to Rotorua with expert local guides

What’s included

Fully guided experience with our world famous guides

Small group tour in our luxury minibuses

Entry tickets to Hobbiton and Te Puia

Snacks and bottled water

Why choose us

Famously passionate tour guides

Our guides share stories, laughs, and Kiwi charm on every journey.

Travel in comfort

Small groups, big comfort. Relax in our modern Mercedes minibuses with style and space.

Award-winning tours

Thousands of five-star reviews and top travel awards - experiences loved worldwide.

Kiwi owned. Kiwi operated

Proudly local and passionate about sharing authentic New Zealand with every traveller.

Stories worth sharing

1/23/2026

Amazing tour

Simon was a fantastic guide..very engaging, articulate and helpful with practical advice and info on all things NZ. It is a long drive but definitely great value. Lots of time for stops along the way although lunch was a bit rushed. Hobbiton was amazing with Noelle sp? from Santa Monica being the star tour guide. What talent! Going out of her way to be helpful for pictures. Rotorua and the near by hot springs Waiotapu were fascinating places. Highly recommended! Thank you Simon and Trent!

Peter B

1/16/2026

Cheeky Kiwi grand day out

Thoroughly recommend Cheeky Kiwi’s trip to Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waiotapu. Dave and Liam gave us the best day from start to finish. Dave’s knowledge and passion in ensuring that everyone got the most out of the day spoke volumes and made the day exceptional. Loved the commentary and extra bits to the trip along with the drive through such amazing countryside. Thank you

Frances J

1/10/2026

Cheeky Kiwi are highly recommended

An early start but worth it! We were the 4th group to leave from the Hobbiton visitor centre, which contributed to how peaceful I found the tour. Incredible to see the level of detail which went into creating the Hobbiton set, and the new Hobbit holes are stunning. Dave, our driver, was friendly and knowledgeable and had excellent rugby chat! Waiotapu was stunning; it was very hot so I only did. The first loop but worth it to see the geothermal features and champagne pool. Highly recommend booking a tour with Cheeky Kiwi; lovely group size, comfortable buses and expert local guides.

Charlotte B

1/9/2026

Super tur.

Super tur med guide, der fortalte morsomt og vidende om New Zealand, de ting, som vi skulle se, og tilpasset både vores alder (der var teenagere med) og nationalitet.

Karin H

1/8/2026

Great operator and guide - bucket list item ticked!

The tour was a one in a lifetime bucket-list ticking experience. Simon, our tour guide was professional, courtious and obviously very experienced in the area.

Peter V

1/5/2026

Excellent full day trip.

Excellent trip with our guide David Hamilton. Perfect combination of full day tour in a single day like Hobbiton Movie Set, Rotorua, Geothermal wonderland and many more beautiful places. Thanks, our guide who willingly visited us a beautiful place like Blue Springs nearly Hobbiton Movie Set area which was not include our trip. Thanks, David. Also thanks to Cheeky kiwi Travel. Highly recommend for everyone.

PRANESH KUMAR BAIDYA

1/4/2026

Grant was fantastic!

This tour is essentially transportation to the movie site, visiting a self-guided volcanic park, and transportation back, but along the way, Grant provided much background information about the areas we passed through, answered my numerous questions on New Zealand, and provided insight before we arrived at a site. The value provided in being driven to those sites by an experienced guide in a comfortable coach without having to navigate the roads is definitely worth it. Grant made sure to break up the drive with well-timed stops and handled all of the ticketing and guidance needed for the excursions. He just had to point us where we needed to go, gave us our tickets, and provided clear direction on how best to enjoy the trip. The insight provided before we arrived made me feel confident I would get the most out of my visit. He was very personable and accommodating to all in the coach. He even made sure to initiate a farewell handshake at the end to each one sincerely thanking us for choosing Cheeky Kiwi Travel. Well done!

Tom

1/4/2026

Green

Great tour and great Alesaandro. I really recommend it to everyone. If you are lucky to get Alessandro asa a guide and driver then it will Be the best experience ever

Tijana D

1/3/2026

kidney feeling

theI felt like I was in a fairy tale. leader was a big encyclopedia, ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Tibor C

12/31/2025

Thank u Chicky Kiwi👌

We had an amazing day trip in New Zealand’s North Island with Chicky Kiwi—even though Iit poured with rain the whole time! Our guide Michael made the experience so warm and enjoyable with his incredible enthusiasm. He shared fascinating insights non-stop throughout the journey, turning a rainy day into an unforgettable adventure. Well done to the team and a huge thank you to Michael for such a fantastic day! Highly recommended to all friends traveling to NZ! Not the weather 😹

Léon Le Festin

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