HOBBITON MOVIE SET & ROTORUA TOUR

(INCLUDING TE PUIA GEOTHERMAL PARK)

TOUR DETAILS

One day tour from Auckland to famous and magical Hobbiton and the amazing geothermal wonderland of Rotorua including Te Puia, the centre for New Zealand's Māori culture and geothermal wonders. You will encounter bubbling mud, pools of boiling water still used for cooking, and stunning geysers. The Pōhutu geyser is the star of the show.

On this tour you will be picked up from the hotel in our 12-seater mini-bus and driven through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world, on a fully guided journey to Hobbiton. During the trip south you will encounter stunning scenery, great photo opportunities, beautiful mountains and several different farm animals along the way.

After our drive we will arrive at the Alexander family sheep farm and Shire's Rest, the entrance to Hobbiton, where you can see thousands of sheep, grab a bite to eat, get your coffee fix or enjoy an ice cream while we collect your tickets to the movie set. Next you will board one of the big green Hobbiton buses to depart on your 2 hour fully guided tour of this amazing 12-acre movie set with a professional Hobbiton guide to ensure you get the most out of your visit. During your tour you will step into the lush pastures of the Shire, visit 44 hobbit holes, see amazing gardens, hear the secrets and stories about the making of the movies and finishing your experience at the famous Hobbiton pub The Green Dragon Inn for a cold beverage.

After your Lord of the rings experience you will be guided back through the Alexander family sheep farm before continuing south to the active geothermal area of Rotorua. During the trip we will pass through the unique town of Tirau (the corrugated iron sculpture capital of the world) and the stunning Fitzgerald Glade plus see many more attractions to see along the way. Once in Rotorua we will do a guided tour of the city past its famous and historical sites including Lake Rotorua, The Government Gardens, Blues Baths, Thermal Springs and Polynesian Spa.

After some lunch our journey continues to Te Puia geothermal wonderland. Te Puia is home to the world famous Pōhutu geyser, mud pools, hot springs and silica formations. You will also find a native Kiwi bird viewing house and see some of the native Maori architecture and culture at the national schools of wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving.

After the tour our friendly staff will drive you back to your hotel.

HOBBITON MOVIE SET

Hobbiton Movie Set is an experience to tantalise the senses of visitors from all across the globe, as guests find themselves engulfed in the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of The Shire, at the home of the Hobbits, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies.

The extraordinary following that the movies have amassed has led to our tours becoming a must see while travellers are in New Zealand. The Hobbiton Movie Set is the only set that remains intact from the trilogies, and that allows our visitors to fully immerse themselves in the wonders of The Shire.

Visitors are given the once in a lifetime opportunity to see an iconic movie set in its full glory; from wandering the rambling paths of The Shire, to seeing the submerged Hobbit Holes that litter the rolling hillsides.

Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will then escort you around the set, showing you the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made.

You will be taken around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Holes, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon Inn, where you can sample our exclusive, specially brewed beverages to conclude your own Middle-earth adventure.

GEOTHERMAL PARK TE PUIA

Te Puia spans 70 hectares within the historic Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, on the edge of Rotorua. They are home to the world famous Pōhutu geyser, mud pools, hot springs and silica formations. You will also find a native Kiwi bird viewing house and see some of the native Māori architecture and culture at the national schools of wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving.

Pōhutu is the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere. She erupts once or twice every hour and sometimes reaches height of 30 metres (100 feet). Pōhutu means constant splashing in Māori.

The kiwi bird is a nocturnal flightless bird and New Zealand’s national icon. At Te Puia you can see live kiwi close up and learn how they protect these extraordinary endangered birds. As you wander through their lush native bush you can learn how they use native plants for food, medicine, and handcrafts.

Māori architecture tells their stories and displays their artistry. The Rotowhio marae is a stunning example of traditional Māori architecture, while Heketanga-ā-Rangi is an exciting contemporary structure. See the site of the ancient Te Puia pā (fortified village) and, at Pikirangi village, find out how they lived hundreds of years ago.

Te Puia houses the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, established in the 1920s to foster all aspects of Māori culture. At Te Puia, national schools of carving, weaving and other traditional arts train talented students from around New Zealand under the guidance of master craftspersons

Tour includes:

Hotel pick up and drop off
Refreshments and snacks
Beautiful scenic drive through the New Zealand countryside
Professionally guided tour about New Zealand and the culture.
Entertainment during drive
Entry tickets and guided tour of Hobbiton including a Beverage in the Green Dragon
Entry ticket and guided tour of Te Puia Geothermal park including Pōhutu geyser eruption experience, kiwi bird viewing, Māori architecture, Māori arts & crafts
Multiple stops to purchase food, buy souvenirs or take photos
Guided tour back to the Hotel
Free Wifi on Transport :-)

Optional extra:

Upgrade to include Māori culture show in Te Puia geothermal park for extra $25

TOUR TIMINGS:

Pick up: 6am
Drop off: 6:00pm - 6:30pm depending on traffic
13 hour tour

Payments accepted:

Cash NZ Dollar
Debit card
Credit card
US Dollars
PayPal