Waitomo Day Trip with Option to Add Hobbiton from Auckland
Description
Design your own ideal day with a full-day tour to Waitomo. At Waitomo Caves you will skip the queues and ride a boat beneath thousands of twinkling glowworms in the famous Waitomo Caves. Choose to either have free time in Waitomo and stroll through native forests and the spectacular limestone landscape or visit the nearby Ruakuri cave. The vast Ruakuri Cave feature waterfalls and limestone formations.
Depart Auckland from your centrally located meeting points in a comfortable 11-seat van or 24-seat minibus. Listen to interesting commentary along the way. Relax aboard and enjoy a 2.5-hour scenic drive from Auckland to Waitomo Caves, a renowned New Zealand attraction famous for its glowworm caverns.
Arriving to Waitomo at approximately 9:00am, begin your 45 minutes tour through Waitomo Glowworm Caves! Follow your informative guide on a tour underground to view the icicle-shaped stalactites and learn how they were formed over. A boat ride takes you through the Glowworm Grotto, where you will be beneath thousands of twinkling glowworms in a breathtaking display. This is a truly surreal experience!
Please Note; if you decide to do our Glowworm Cave only tour you will have up to 4 hours of free time in Waitomo to enjoy further activities such as Bush Walks through native New Zealand Flora, Lunch or other caving options. Please ask your driver for more details on the day.
For passengers adding on Ruakuri Caves, you will take a short journey from Waitomo Glowworm Caves to Ruakuri. Here you Experience the spectacular spiral entrance to Ruakuri Cave. Marvel at the incredible limestone formations and crystal tapestries in an intimate group.
Alternatively, if you are feeling adventurous join us for our Black Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Caving Adventure. Waitomo black water rafting tour will have you exploring and tubing through the mysterious Ruakuri Cave. Here you will be given a rubber tube, and you will be taken on an unreal underground adventure you will never forget. Float down the underground river in rubber tubes while admiring the glowworm displays above!
We depart Waitomo at 12:30pm for Hobbiton.
Hobbiton option: Enjoy a 2 hour Hobbiton Movie Set Lord of the Rings tour, where you will see famous locations such as Bilbo's home Bag End, the Green Dragon Inn, and the Party Tree. You'll be amazed by the beauty, history, and size of this location. A complimentary refreshment is also available at the end of your Movie Set Tour.
No Hobbiton option: If you are finishing in Auckland but do not want to do the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour you will still have 2 hours of free time to relax at the Hobbiton cafe (aptly named The Shires Rest) or peruse their Gift Shop for some iconic kiwi souvenirs.
If you are finishing in Rotorua you will not have a wait at Hobbiton and will finish in Rotorua by 4:50pm.
Departing Hobbiton at 4:45pm we finish in Auckland at 7:15pm and Rotorua at 6:15pm
Please Note: times may vary depending on seasonality and traffic conditions.
Included
Options include;
Choice of Waitomo Activity (45 minute Tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, 2 hour tour of Ruakuri Cave, Waitomo ( 2CAVE is Glowworm plus Ruakuri Caves ) (Only included if chosen), Black Labyrinth (If chosen)
2 hour Tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata (Only included if chosen)
All Transport
Knowledgeable Tour Guide
Transport by air-conditioned coach or van
Pickup from all central meeting spot
Excluded
Lunch
Personal expenses
Hobbiton unless chosen
Know before you go
Warm Jacket, walking shoes, rainproof jacket if raining
Customers doing Black Abyss and Black Labyrinth options need to bring swimewar, a towel and a warm change of clothes. Wet suit and booties are provided.