Sanctuary Mountain Explorer Pass

A temporary focused exhibition highlighting local stories that inspire, confront, and challenge our historical knowledge around New Zealand’s Land Wars here in the Waipā district, and how we can remember this important event in our history.

Our small group tour to Hobbiton starts by going South from Auckland, your guide will give you commentary with information about the areas you are traveling through and insights to the background to the movies. On arrival at Hobbiton we get a specialist Hobbiton guide to take you on your walking tour of the Hobbiton movie set. This location is the only part of the set remaining in New Zealand. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. You can take a photo at the gate to Bilbo’s house “Bag End” & explore inside a Hobbit home with the new interactive experience. After a visit to the Green Dragon Inn where you can enjoy a free drink the tour includes a sumptuous lunch fit for a Hobbit in the Party Marquee.

Your guide will take you through areas not usually accessible to the public, sharing the history of the venue, how the unique 250-metre cycling track was built, and what makes it one of the fastest tracks in the world. Get up close to the track bikes used in competition, learn how the venue operates behind the scenes, and gain an insight into the technology, facilities and preparation that support world-class cycling. As the home venue for many national and international cycling events, there's also the chance to see riders training or competition preparations underway, depending on the day's activities. Group tours are available year-round, with options to combine your visit with an on-track Have-a-Go experience.

Combine a luxury transfer from Rotorua to Auckland with a visit to 2 world-famous attractions. After pick-up in Rotorua, we drive across the Mamaku Plateau to the Hobbiton Movie Set, made world-famous as the original setting of Sir Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. On the 2.5 hour Group tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, get astonishing insights into how these movies were made and which parts of the movies were filmed here. We then continue on to Waitomo Caves, in the Waikato region, taking in the special region as we drive through the beautiful countryside of New Zealand’s North Island. At Waitomo, experience the underground wonderland that is Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a Group tour.

Bring a touch of the Shire to your holiday season on a luxury small-group day tour from Auckland to Hobbiton Movie Set. Among rolling green hills, discover colourful Hobbit Holes, the famous Party Tree and the welcoming Green Dragon Inn. Explore the detailed settings featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies before gathering in the Party Marquee for a generous buffet lunch. Share a meal, swap favourite moments and enjoy the warmth of Hobbiton’s hospitality.

Discover New Zealand the local way with a Japanese-speaking driver and guide on this exclusive private day tour. Explore the lush green hills, 44 Hobbit holes, and the Green Dragon Inn at the world-famous Hobbiton Movie Set (approx. 2.5 hours). Then, journey underground to witness millions of glowing glowworms lighting up a magical subterranean river by boat at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves (approx. 1 hour). Includes comfortable private transport and flexible departures from Auckland or Thames.