Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton One-Way Private Tour

The Firth Tower was built in 1882 by Josiah Clifton Firth to provide a lookout over the country side. It was also used as the estate office and sleeping quarters for single men. The tower stands on rising ground commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country. The Firth Tower Historical Reserve is administered by the Matamata-Piako District Council and museum exhibits and displays are the work of the Matamata Historical Society. The Heritage Centre houses the archives of the Matamata area.

Located in the Old Courthouse in Victoria Street, the Cambridge Museum aims to preserve Cambridge's rich historical legacy for future generations. In the late 19th century, Cambridge residents started collecting items of local interest relating to historical research, pre-European settlement, and the development of Cambridge. The Museum now has a fine collection of artefacts and archival material including biographies, historical information on local businesses, clubs, people and societies, buildings information, land and property records, military records (particularly the 3rd Waikato Militia and WWI Cambridge soldiers), school records, family histories and a wealth of photographs, postcards and ephemera.

Explore the forest together and identify plants and trees used in traditional Māori healing and wellbeing, learning about the properties of local plants. They will introduce you to the tikanga associated with harvesting, preparing and using plants for rongoā from their own experiences. These tours are generally with small groups and offer the opportunity to ask questions.

I help people experience the real New Zealand, not the one you find just by visiting the usual tourist spots. My vast travel experience means I know the best photography locations and I'm passionate about showing off our beautiful country, helping my guests to capture their own amazing images of our beautiful country while learning new photography skills along the way. My guided photography tours are available throughout New Zealand and can be personalised to your itinerary and the locations you wish to visit. Or you can choose to attend one of my scheduled weekend group workshops where you'll enjoy meeting other photographers and improving your photography craft at some of New Zealand's most unique and photogenic locations.

Combine a luxury transfer from Auckland to Rotorua with a visit to 2 world-famous attractions in New Zealand: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Group Tour and Hobbiton Movie Set Group Tour. At Waitomo, experience the underground wonderland that is Waitomo Glowworm Caves with thousands of Glowworms as the major attraction. We continue on to the Hobbiton Movie Set near the rural town of Matamata, made world-famous as the original setting of Sir Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies. On the 2 ½ hour tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, get astonishing insights into how these movies were made and which parts of the movies were filmed here. Then continue to Rotorua for drop-off.

On this best-selling private tour, you have the unique opportunity to experience one world-famous visitor attraction on a personally guided one-day tour. On the way to Hobbiton we pass through the beautiful countryside of the Waikato and King Country. Our experienced guides will tell you about New Zealand and the amazing places you’ll see along the 2.5hr journey from Auckland to Hobbiton. As we drive southwards, we show you the sacred Taupiri Mountain as well as Ngaruawahia, the site of the famous Turangawaewae Marae (Māori meeting place) and seat of New Zealand's Maori King. We continue on to the Hobbiton Movie Set near the rural town of Matamata. Now you can see the Hobbiton Movie Set during a 2.5 hour GROUP tour. Drop-off in Rotorua.