Begin your adventure in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. As you drive out of the city, your guide will set the scene for your adventure and point out some of the city’s top highlights.
Exit Auckland and drive south through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world. Encounter stunning scenery, mighty rivers, beautiful mountains, and several farm animals along the way. Stop in the idyllic little town of Pirongia for a quick coffee break. Continue your adventure and pass through Otorohanga, “The Kiwiana capital of New Zealand.”
Arrive at your first feature attraction, the Waitomo Caves. Be guided through the ancient caves, seeing many different cave formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and lime columns, before descending even further underground for your glowworm experience. Board your boat for a cruise on the grotto river with thousands of glowworms sparkling above you.
On your way to your next destination, Hobbiton Movie Set, stop outside Big Bird to see and meet some of the local friendly animals. These guys know the guides well and even though you do not have time to go inside the park, the friendly animals will often come to the fences for a photo or two.
Arrive at Hobbiton, and have time to buy lunch before boarding one of the big green Hobbiton buses. Depart on a 2.5 hour fully guided tour of this amazing 12-acre movie set with a professional Hobbiton guide. During your tour, 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 enjoy a cold complimentary beverage at the famous Hobbiton pub ‘The Green Dragon Inn’.
Continue your adventure and pass through Tirau, famously dubbed the 'Corrugated Iron Capital of the World' because of the many unique corrugated iron sculptures and buildings. Your guide will point out all the main highlights on the way through.
To complete the formal part of the tour’s first day, arrive in Rotorua and do a quick guided driving tour, seeing the most famous sites in Rotorua city including Lake Rotorua, Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring), and the Blue Baths. Then, get dropped off at your hotel to check in for the night (accommodation not included).
