3 Day Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua Tour from Auckland

Immerse yourself in the otherworldly beauty of New Zealand’s North Island on a three-day escape from Auckland. From Rotorua’s famous geysers and the glowing Waitomo Caves to the re-creation of Middle-earth at Hobbiton, you’ll discover scenic beauty and natural wonders, ancient Maori traditions and movie-making magic on this fascinating tour.

This is an Independent coach tour, where you travel on a combination of touring coaches and sightseeing services with commentary and/or point to point coaches which may not have commentary. You will be with different people on each part of the tour and different drivers.You have free time to explore on your own and are free to choose where and when to eat, meals are not included unless specified.

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland to Rotorua with Waitomo Caves and Rotorua experience

Stop At: Waitomo Glowworm Caves, 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3943 New Zealand
Leaving Auckland, you’ll travel south to visit the world-famous limestone formations of Waitomo Caves. Enter the subterranean labyrinth of caves to admire a magical world of stalactites and stalagmites, eerily lit by the luminescent gleam of tiny glowworms.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Agrodome, 141 Western Rd, Ngongotaha, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand
Stop in at the Agrodome, an organic working farm where you can learn all about farming in New Zealand. Take a tour of the Agrodome farm in an all-terrain vehicle, see how sheep are shorn and watch a live sheep dog trial.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Te Puia, Hemo Road, Rotorua New Zealand
See mud pools, spouting geysers and other geothermal displays at Te Puia, where you’ll also enjoy Maori cultural performances.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Rotorua, Rotorua, Rotorua District, Bay of Plenty Region, North Island
Rotorua's compact city centre is ideal to stroll and enjoy the cuisine and hospitality. Rotorua sits on top of one of the world's most active volcanic regions. Below the surface, the earth's crust grinds and moves to produce heat and molten rock. Throughout the city and its surrounds, the evidence of this is surprisingly common. Steam rising from cracks in the road, bubbling and hissing water in pools along the lakes edge and the strong smell of sulphur.


Meals included:
• Lunch: Picnic style lunch on board the coach. Please advise any dietary requirements.
Accommodation included: You have the choice of a Premium Motel or a 4-Star Hotel

Day 2: Enjoy a Hobbiton Movie Set tour followed by an evening Maori Cultural Experience

Stop At: Hobbiton Movie Set, 501 Buckland Road Matamata, Hinuera 3472 New Zealand
Discover the real Middle-earth on a guided tour of Hobbiton. Beginning with a drive through a picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm, you'll experience stunning views over the Kaimai Ranges. You'll then be escorted through the 12-acre movie set learning memorable anecdotes about the shooting of the films. Visit Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and the Party Tree, as well as learning how this piece of Waikato farmland was turned into the Shire.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Mitai Maori Village, 196 Fairy Springs Road, Fairy Springs, Rotorua 3015, New Zealand
An awe-inspiring introduction to the indigenous Maori culture. Learn about the history of this area which was once flourished in villages. See fierce warriors in traditional dress paddle an ancient warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream. Be captivated by songs, dances and games in a rich powerful entertaining cultural concert, complete with the fiery “Haka” Maori war dance. View the uplifting of the hangi from the earth cooked oven (Hangi Pit) in the ground and learn the preparation and contents of the traditional hangi. Learn the art of Ta Moko (tattoo), Maori customs, Musical instrument, Poi dance, Carving, Flora and fauna, and the medicinal uses.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner: Traditional Hangi dinner
Accommodation included: You have the choice of a Premium Motel or a 4-Star Hotel

Day 3: Spend the morning exploring Wai-O-Tapu before returning to Auckland

Stop At: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, 201 Waiotapu Loop Road Rd 3, Rotorua 3073 New Zealand
Take the Thermal Land Shuttle to Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland. The thermal area, around 30 kilometres south of Rotorua has many walking tracks to take you through this strange landscape. Bubbling mud pools, simmering waters rising from the depths and colourful sulphurous pools make this a fascinating insight into the geothermal activity that goes on below Rotorua's surface.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Auckland i-SITE Visitor Information Centre - SKYCITY, Crn Victoria & Federal Street Atrium- take the lift to P3 next to Sky Tower Entrance, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
Take the express service with GreatSights this evening back to Auckland City. Surrounding two natural harbours, New Zealand's 'City of Sails' is the country's largest.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.