Join this tour by multi-award winning Auckland Scenic Tours to visit two of New Zealand’s most famous attractions, the Hobbiton (Lord of the Rings) Movie Set and also in Rotorua, the Te Puia Geothermal Wonderland, in one easy return day trip from Auckland (option by arrangement to be dropped off in Rotorua at the end of the tour instead of returning to Auckland.)

Be fascinated as the magical world of Hobbiton comes to life and take photos in front of your favourite places like the 44 Hobbit Holes, the Shire and the Green Dragon Inn. Then journey to the World Famous Te Puia which is home to remarkable geothermal features, including the famous Pōhutu geyser as well as rich layers of Māori culture, including art works, people, stories, traditions and architecture. There are lush nature trails teeming with native bird life and you will even find New Zealand iconic native flightless bird, the Kiwi, on site.

Marvel at the stunning scenery en route as we journey off the motorways into the real hinterland of New Zealand. All admission fees and sumptuous 3 course buffet-style lunch included. Fully guided day with one of our tour guides who are widely regarded for their depth of knowledge.

Highlights

• Cross off two North Island highlights in one day—no rental car needed!
• Lord of the Rings fans will love an official Hobbiton Movie Set tour
• Visit the 70-hectare Te Puia Geothermal Park in Rotorua with the world famous Pohutu geyser and the Maori Cultural Village
• Encounter close up New Zealand’s most famous bird, the Kiwi
• Walk the lush nature trails teeming with native bird life
• See the National Maori Arts and Crafts Institute with its carving and weaving schools
• Learn about native New Zealand history and culture from a Maori guide
• A sumptuous 3 course buffet lunch “Maori-style”

What to Expect

After pickup at your central Auckland hotel, leave the city behind as you drive through the Bombay Hills and Hauraki Plains on a specially designed scenic route, where we get right off the motorways with spectacular scenery flanked by mountains, to reach a sheep farm used as the filming location for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit. J.R.R. Tolkien fans will recognize Middle-earth locales like the 44 hobbit holes, the Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn as you learn behind-the-scenes secrets of the epic movies. Then relaxing in the Green Dragon with a complimentary ale, stout, cider or ginger beer.

Then depart for the World-famous city of Rotorua passing through the quirky town of Tirau, famously dubbed the “corrugated capital of the World” that look like a sheep, dog and ram. Then through the Fitzgerald Glade where lush tree ferns line the road with vegetation towering above that includes many New Zealand native trees including tawa, rimu, mataī and five species of rātā. Soon we arrive in Rotorua (literally meaning Second Lake) with optional stops on the shores of Lake Rotorua and Government Gardens for photo opportunities.

We then travel a few more kilometres to Te Puia where we enter through the magnificently carved gateway where will have a sumptuous buffet lunch inside before embarking on our fully guided tour with a local Maori guide. Their knowledge and passion make this a memory that you will cherish for a long time as you are guided around the 70-hectare Geothermal Park, seeing the Pohutu Geyser which naturally erupts up to 30 metres (100 feet) skywards every 30 minutes or so. You will have explained to you the hot springs, the silica terraces, the bubbling mineral-rich mud pools and other pools that have been used for over 100 years for cooking and remedies plus get close up with our most famous bird, the Kiwi.
After final gift shopping before we leave Te Puia and journey back to Auckland and your Auckland Hotel with an optional stop en route for those wishing to taste our World-famous Tip Top Ice Cream.

Please note: By arrangement we also offer a drop off with luggage in Rotorua ONLY at the i-site Information Centre in the middle of the main street of Rotorua. This option, only by arrangement with your booking, means your tour would start in Auckland and finish in Rotorua