This small group, fully guided tour combines the popular North Island
attractions of Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves and Rotorua (finishing in Rotorua). Led
by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to
life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, and run in
modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and
safety.

Please note: this tour makes up Day 1 of our 2-day Hobbiton, Waitomo,
Rotorua, Taupo and Hamilton Gardens Tour, and so may be shared with guests
who are doing the full 2-day tour. If booking this tour, guests will leave the
group in Rotorua at the end of Day 1.

Highlights:

• Hobbiton Movie Set
• Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Rotorua Highlights

Itinerary:

1. ** Auckland - Your tour starts in New Zealand’s largest city.
As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your
adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the city’s top
highlights.

2. Waikato – Exiting Auckland we drive south through the
stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world,
encountering stunning scenery, mighty rivers, great photo opportunities,
beautiful mountains and several farm animals along the way. After learning
about some local history we stop in the idyllic little town of Pirongia for a
quick coffee break. Continuing our adventure we pass through Otorohanga “The
Kiwiana capital of New Zealand”. See all things Kiwi in this unique and
charming town.

3. ** Waitomo Caves – Arriving at our first feature attractions
you will be guided through the ancient and amazing 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. Unique to New Zealand for over 120 years, Waitomo Glowworm Caves
are a must see for any traveller.

4. Big Bird – On our way to our next destination, Hobbiton
Movie Set, we stop outside Big Bird to see and meet some of our local friendly
animals. These guys know our guides well and even though we do not have time
to go inside the park, the friendly animal will often come to the fences for a
photo or two, thrilling guests.

5. Hobbiton Movie Set – Arriving at our second feature
attraction, Hobbiton, you will have time to buy lunch before boarding one of
the big green Hobbiton buses. You then depart on a two 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 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’.

6. ** Tirau – Continuing our adventure we depart for Rotorua and
pass through Tirau, famously dubbed the 'Corrugated Iron Capital of the World'
because of the many unique corrugated iron sculptures and buildings, this town
never fails to get a look and a laugh and our guides will point out all the
main highlights on the way through.

7. Rotorua Highlights** - To complete the formal part of the
tours first day we 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) & the Blue Baths. We
then drop you off at your hotel to check in for the night (accommodation NOT
included)

Inclusions:

• Small Group Tour

  
  

• Fully Guided

  
  

• Entry Tickets to Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves

  
  

• Bottled Water

  
  

• Snacks

  
  

Optional Extras:

• One-way option from Rotorua to Auckland (selected dates only)

While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at
Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it’s our small groups, guides, the journey and the
little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings,
specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other
pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.