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5-Day Bay of Islands Rotorua Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton Tour from Auckland

Offered by Discover New Zealand

From

$2,715.00 per person

4.1 (31 reviews)

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Booking handled by our partner, Viator

120 hours (approx.) Mobile or paper ticket accepted Offered in: English

Tour Overview

Leave Auckland’s skyline behind and follow the Twin Coast Highway to Paihia, gateway to the Bay of Islands. Cruise past forested headlands toward Cape Brett, scanning for bottlenose dolphins before the skipper threads the boat through the Hole-in-the-Rock. The next morning travels to Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea collides with the Pacific beneath the lighthouse, then rolls south along Ninety Mile Beach, pausing for the chance to slide down coastal sand dunes.

Day three turns inland to the Waitomo Caves; a silent boat ride drifts below thousands of glow-worms that light vaulted limestone walls. From here continue to the Hobbiton Movie Set, wandering past Bag End and the Party Tree while your guide shares filming insights. Two nights in Rotorua allow time to walk a geothermal valley alive with steaming vents and the Pōhutu Geyser, with optional cultural performances or spa soaking available during free evenings.

The tour includes all listed coach travel, four nights hotel accommodation, the Bay of Islands cruise, the full-day Cape Reinga excursion, and admissions to Waitomo, Hobbiton and the Rotorua geothermal site. Meals and optional activities are at your own pace, giving you freedom to shape each day around personal interests.

What's Included

  • Maori Cultural Performance
  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds
  • 4 nights accommodation
  • Return coach transport from Auckland
  • Air-conditioned vehicles
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
  • Commentary or guide during most tours
  • Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach
  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Not Included:

  • Meals unless specified
  • Pre and post tour accommodation
  • Gratuities
  • Travel insurance. We recommend travel insurance for all tours

What To Expect

Day 1 : Auckland to Paihia with Waitangi Treaty Grounds

  1. 1

    Paihia

    Heading north to the Bay of Islands takes you along the coast road past the seaside villages of Orewa and Waiwera. Then its on to the township of Puhoi, New Zealand's only Bohemian settlement, then Warkworth and the harbour side city of Whangarei and the unique township of Kawakawa. Arriving into the sub tropical Bay of Islands you are greeted with bush clad hillsides dropping to golden sand beaches. Paihia is the main tourist centre in the bay and has a great beach side atmosphere.

    6 hours

  2. 2

    Waitangi Treaty Grounds

    Join a guided tour of Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the historic site where the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, was signed. Learn more about New Zealand's history and Maori heritage as you explore the Treaty House. Visit a traditional Maori meeting house, and marvel at the 35-meter-long hand-crafted Waka (canoe) which is still used today. A shuttle will pick you up and drop you back to your accommodation.

    2 hours

    Admission: Included

Accommodation: Choose from standard 3-Star or superior 4-Star hotels

Day 2 : Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach Day Tour

  1. 1

    Cape Reinga Lighthouse

    Set out by coach on a full-day tour to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand. Along the way, stop to explore the ancient Puketi Kauri Forest, visit the famous Ninety Mile Beach where you can experience the thrills and spills of sand surfing (optional). On arrival at Cape Reinga, walk out along the coastal cliffs to the Cape Reinga lighthouse and hear about the area's Maori legends as you gaze out across the meeting point of the Tasman and Pacific Oceans. A lunch of traditional fish and chips is included, before heading back to Paihia and returning in the early evening.

    12 hours

    Admission: Included

Accommodation: Choose from standard 3-Star or superior 4-Star hotels
Meals: Lunch

Day 3 : Head south from Paihia to Rotorua

  1. 1

    Rotorua isite Visitor Information Centre

    Your journey will take you past scenic native forests and sub-tropical bush, before crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge to arrive into the spectacular city scene of Auckland. Continue south into the rich farmland of the Waikato and onto the cultural heart of the North Island and Rotorua City.

    10 hours

    Admission: Included

Accommodation: Choose from standard 3-Star or superior 4-Star hotels

Day 4 : Rotorua to Hobbiton day tour followed by an evening Maori Cultural Experience

  1. 1

    Hobbiton Movie Set

    Setting out from Rotorua, your Hobbiton Movie Set tour starts with a scenic drive across the Kaimai Ranges to Matamata, a small town in the Waikato region known for its thoroughbred industry and dairy farming. Along the way, your local driver guide will provide informative commentary. Just outside of Matamata is the private working farm that was transformed into The Shire for the award-winning The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. Take a two-hour guided tour of the movie set and learn how this picturesque farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. Your guide will show you Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Party Tree, the Mill and many other structures from the movies. After your Hobbiton movie set tour, you will hop back on the GreatSights coach and retrace your steps back to Rotorua.

    2 hours

    Admission: Included

  2. 2

    Rotorua

    From arrival into Maori Village, you will share seasonal kai horotai (delicacies). These can include roasted tuna (native eel), creamy pāua (abalone) on rewena (bread) crostini, foraged greens, chunky smoked kahawai, ember warmed kumara and restorative kawakawa tea. Torchlight guides manuhiri (guests) to a lavish but relaxed four-course feast. Hāngī remains hero but it shares the table with lesser-known Māori delicacies, prepared fusion style. Wagyu pincanha, Watercress chimichurri, taro gratin – even kumara ice cream - each dish is inspired by or infused with traditional ingredients, stories, or cooking techniques. Celebrate the spirit of hākari (feasting) and of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

    3 hours

Accommodation: Choose from standard 3-Star or superior 4-Star hotels
Meals: Dinner

Day 5 : Spend the morning exploring Waitomo before returning to Auckland

  1. 1

    Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    After being collected from your Rotorua accommodation, you will journey through the Waikato to Waitomo, known for its caves and glow worms. On arrival you will join a guided tour of the caves, conducted by a local guide – the highlight of which is the boat ride along the Waitomo River where you have the opportunity to see the myriad of glow worm lights that make up the Glowworm Grotto. Ruakuri Cave offers a captivating blend of Waitomo’s most compelling subterranean experiences. Journey down through the spectacular spiral entrance, and marvel at the softly folding shawl-like limestone formations and crystal tapestries, hear the distant thunder of the subterranean waterfalls and get up close to the glowworms. Ruakuri Cave is New Zealand’s longest guided underground walking tour and an experience that must be seen to be believed. It will leave you open-mouthed, awe-struck, and humbled by the sheer majesty of nature.

    3 hours

    Admission: Included

  2. 2

    Auckland

    Following your Caves tour, return to Auckland, arriving in the evening.

    3 hours

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

InterCity Sky City Bus Terminal

102 Hobson Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

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Sky City Bus Terminal, 102 Hobson Street, Auckland CBD

End point

Auckland Central

Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

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We offer a complimentary drop-off to your accommodation as long as it is around central Auckland. Please let us know your accommodation in Auckland at the time of booking. Please note we don't provide drop-off at the Airport.

Important Information

You will receive a printable itinerary prior to travel. This will be sent to you electronically through Discover New Zealand. Please get in touch via the booking portal if you have not received this within 7 days of your tour departure date. Exact tour departure times will be listed on this itinerary.

Additional Info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.