Hobbiton & Rotorua Twin Village Experience
Description
Experience the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour is where Peter Jackson filmed his famous Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.
Leaving Auckland through the rolling hills of the Waikato region and beautiful farming towns along the way, you'll experience beautiful countryside in luxurious coach comfort. Your guided tour starts on a Hobbiton tour bus with a drive through New Zealand's picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Take a look at Bag End, where Frodo and Bilbo’s adventures began. Get lost among the hobbit holes and visit the Green Dragon Inn, the mill and the Party Tree. Listen to spell-binding tales of how Hobbiton came to be. Your guide will escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. Immerse yourself in the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of the Shire as featured in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. After you finish your amazing Hobbit tour we make our way through the scenic roads into Rotorua for your next experience at Whakarawarewa - the living Maori village! And the buried village.
Explore an authentic living Māori village where people live on a daily basis, using natural geothermal resources to cook, bathe and heat their homes as they have for centuries. Discover the vibrancy of Māori culture and the fascinating traditions of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, who shaped tourism in New Zealand. View the geothermal wonders of Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley up close, including the world-famous Pōhutu geyser, boiling mud-pools, steam vents and bubbling pools. Enjoy a traditional cooking demonstration – watch our residents prepare Hāngi meals in our in-ground steam boxes, and cook corn in the bubbling water of our geothermal hot pools – as they have for generations. Learn what it’s like to live in the challenging environment of the Whakarewarewa Valley, where daily life includes cooking in the bubbling pools and steam vents, and bathing in the refreshing therapeutic waters. From an enriching memories of the living village we move on to the haunting echoes of the past. New Zealand’s most visited archaeological site where stories Tarawera volcanic Eruption come to life.
Visit and learn how Māori and early settlers lived and worked together, guiding visitors to see the world famous Pink and White Terraces. Enjoy a leisurely walk through our 12-acre grounds and explore the sites that have been excavated from the village. Hear the stories of Tarawera in our award-winning museum. Visit the mesmerizing natural Te Wairoa (Wairere Falls), plunging to the valley along our Waterfall Trails. Discover the unique geology of the Rotorua region and how the eruption changed and shaped the area forever. Meet the unique personalities that shaped the early tourism industry in New Zealand. After you finish your amazing tour experience, we make our way through the scenic roads of Waikato back to Auckland CBD.
Leaving Auckland through the rolling hills of the Waikato region and beautiful farming towns along the way, you'll experience beautiful countryside in luxurious coach comfort. Your guided tour starts on a Hobbiton tour bus with a drive through New Zealand's picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Take a look at Bag End, where Frodo and Bilbo’s adventures began. Get lost among the hobbit holes and visit the Green Dragon Inn, the mill and the Party Tree. Listen to spell-binding tales of how Hobbiton came to be. Your guide will escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. Immerse yourself in the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of the Shire as featured in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. After you finish your amazing Hobbit tour we make our way through the scenic roads into Rotorua for your next experience at Whakarawarewa - the living Maori village! And the buried village.
Explore an authentic living Māori village where people live on a daily basis, using natural geothermal resources to cook, bathe and heat their homes as they have for centuries. Discover the vibrancy of Māori culture and the fascinating traditions of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, who shaped tourism in New Zealand. View the geothermal wonders of Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley up close, including the world-famous Pōhutu geyser, boiling mud-pools, steam vents and bubbling pools. Enjoy a traditional cooking demonstration – watch our residents prepare Hāngi meals in our in-ground steam boxes, and cook corn in the bubbling water of our geothermal hot pools – as they have for generations. Learn what it’s like to live in the challenging environment of the Whakarewarewa Valley, where daily life includes cooking in the bubbling pools and steam vents, and bathing in the refreshing therapeutic waters. From an enriching memories of the living village we move on to the haunting echoes of the past. New Zealand’s most visited archaeological site where stories Tarawera volcanic Eruption come to life.
Visit and learn how Māori and early settlers lived and worked together, guiding visitors to see the world famous Pink and White Terraces. Enjoy a leisurely walk through our 12-acre grounds and explore the sites that have been excavated from the village. Hear the stories of Tarawera in our award-winning museum. Visit the mesmerizing natural Te Wairoa (Wairere Falls), plunging to the valley along our Waterfall Trails. Discover the unique geology of the Rotorua region and how the eruption changed and shaped the area forever. Meet the unique personalities that shaped the early tourism industry in New Zealand. After you finish your amazing tour experience, we make our way through the scenic roads of Waikato back to Auckland CBD.
Included
- Fully guided return transfer from Auckland
- Complimentary pick up and drop off from Auckland CBD
- Complimentary refreshments and water on board
- A local English-speaking tour escort throughout the tour
- Luxurious temperature controlled transportation in a minibus
- Admission to 2 hour fully guided experience at Hobbiton movie set
- Complimentary Hobbiton beverages -Ale, cider, ginger beer or an English beer
- Admission to Whakarewarewa Maori Living Village with cultural show
- Admission to the buried Village of Te Wairoa
- Access to Te Wairoa Trail and Waterfalls
Excluded
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Access to Wi-Fi on board for a small surcharge
Know before you go
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Moderate level of fitness is required and comfortable shoes with a good grip.
- Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for the conditions, walking shoes, Sun protection, jacket/warm layer, and bring a camera & any essential personal items.
- This is a guided walking tour and sensible walking footwear is recommended.
- You must be able to climb and descend stairs and walk on unpaved or uneven terrain.
- Bring a camera or a phone with camera capability as Hobbiton is the perfect place to get some great travel photos.
- You must be at least 18 years of age and present a valid photo ID in order to consume alcohol.