On this full-day shore excursion, take a journey deep into Middle Earth without the stress and strict scheduling of a large group tour. Drive from Tauranga into the heart of the Waikato with a small group and guide and visit Hobbiton, the iconic filming location from Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. But this is more than just a there-and-back-again Lord of the Rings tour: also spend some time in the secluded New Zealand bush at McLaren Falls Park and see the striking titular waterfall.

See a live bee colony and learn about honey-making at a New Zealand apiary
No long waits at the ticket office: entry fees covered in advance
Leave your maps on the cruise ship: pick-up in Tauranga provided on request
Upload all your photos without waiting: WiFi available onboard your vehicle

What's Included

Snacks
Air-conditioned vehicle
WiFi on board

Lunch

Meeting And Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

1 Salisbury Avenue
1 Salisbury Avenue, Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Opening hours

7/1/2022 - 2/22/2024
Monday - Sunday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Pick Up can be made within the Tauranga area with prior arrangement

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

I highly recommend booking this tour with Stephen owner of Adventure and Cultural Tours Informed us on what procedures the tour would entail.

Reviews

5.0

19 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 19 reviews

Day trip to Hobbiton.

Edward_M, Jan 2023

Our driver, Amanda, who drove us from Mt. Maunganui to Hobbiton and our tour guide Braden did a great job. Very enjoyable day. Would recommend it to any Hobbit fans.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Hi Edward, so pleased to know that you enjoyed your day! It was an absolute pleasure to have you join us.

Great day out

Markus_M, Jan 2023

Great small group tour, had a fantastic day out. Would definitely recommend this tour and provider. Tour guide was very pleasant, provided lots of information.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thanks for the review Markus, it was our pleasure to have your group on board and great to know that you had a fantastic day. Safe travels!

Magical

Jodi_M, Jan 2023

Our tour guide, Stephen was informative and fun. The tour of Tauranga was beautiful along with McClaren Park. The favorite was Hobbiton. Magical! Thanks for a wonderful time!

A magical tour delivered by a professional and trustworthy tour operator

Ailsa, Dec 2022

Every part of this trip is exceptional, from the meet at the port, to the drop off at the end. Stephen and Amanda were the most approachable and professional people to book with, and very knowledgeable. After a shock cancellation of our trip to Hobbiton by our cruise company, we looked to book through Viator, and found this tour, which marketed itself as a shore excursion. I was immediately put at ease when the fact that the ship details were taken, the docking time, and the sailing time. Amanda met us at the port and directed us to our mini van, a much more intimate affair than would have been experienced through the ship, and a we were accompanied by 14 other guests. The mini bus was equipped with free wifi, free cold bottled water and snacks! We toured Tauranga, experienced McLaren falls, had some of Amanda's most delicious home made brownies, and driven to and from Hobbiton. The visit to Hobbiton itself was simply mind blowing. To say expectations were exceeded is an understatement. This is a truly magical place and so lovingly tended. It was worth every penny. We never felt rushed throughout this tour, had plenty opportunities for bathroom breaks and photo stops, and Amanda was always happy to take a picture. I cannot recommend their professionalism enough. 11/10

Outstanding Tour!

Daniel_B, Dec 2022

We joined this tour which was on a really nice medium sized Iveco bus driven by Amanda. We highly recommend this tour and company. On the way to Hobbiton we stopped at places that the larger tour buses wouldn't have been able to get to, and Amanda gave great commentary along the way. The small additions such as snacks (including home made brownies!) were really nice, as was being in a relatively small tour group. Of course we loved Hobbiton, where we joined the official tour (as everyone does). Amanda was waiting afterwards to transport us back to the ship via some more sights. If you're looking for an excursion from your cruise ship, don't hesitate to book this tour! I'm glad we did, especially compared to the offerings onboard.

Great experience! love the tour !

WEI_Z, Dec 2022

We had a fantastic tour with Stephen! Stephen is friendly,thoughtful and well-knowledged tour guide. We really enjoyed his tour guiding during the whole trip full of fun and knowledge! plus the brownie is so delicious! and thank you stephen for sharing the lens to me. We had a super great time there,great experience ! highly recommend!!!

Hobbiton Tour with Adventure and cultural tours. Bat of Plenty.

Michelle_D, Dec 2022

We had a fantastic tour with Stephen and Amanda. Lovely comfortable bus to drive around in. Loved Hobbiton! Such a cute place. The tour was great fun and great brownies!!

First Class Tour

James_R, Dec 2022

Stephen the tour guide was first class. Punctual, friendly, approachable, extremely knowledgeable , and always made sure everyone was comfortable. His bus was also top tier. The tour itself was fantastic. Lots of lovely scenery on the trip to Hobbiton. The stop at Mclaren Falls is well worth it. Plenty of birds and waterfalls to take photos of. Overall a great tour that I highly recommend.

Excellent experience

Teresa_Z, Oct 2022

Stephen was awesome. We liked the small group, only four of us. The brownie snack was delicious! I really appreciated that he emailed several days before the tour with detailed information on the time and meeting place. He was knowledgeable about the area and provided a nice narrative along our route to Hobbiton and thru Taurango. The stop at the park to see the waterfall was a wonderful easy walk thru the trees. He was very consciousness about our tour time and getting us back to the ship in plenty of time. Great experience and tour operator!

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thank you Teresa. Was pleasure meeting you all and having the opportunity to show you around. You were awesome, and wish you all the very best with your ongoing adventures. Regards, Stephen

Lord of the tours

Gabriella_S, Mar 2020

We had a fantastic time with our guide Stephen. There were only four of us on the tour, which made it a very personal experience. Stephen was friendly, informative and knowledgable about the area/tour. He even squeezed in a couple of extra stops, which went above and beyond what we were expecting. He was such a great guide and we thoroughly recommend his service...especially as he provided yummy brownies too.

Great - highly recommended

Stephan_N, Feb 2020

Great tour, great guide Stephen is a great guy, really friendly and helpful. Size of the group really great(max. 18). We really enjoyed it. Greetings from Amsterdam

Hobbiton & Tauranga Highlights

Shirley_C, Dec 2019

I highly recommend booking this tour with Stephen owner of Adventure &Cultural Tours Informed us on what procedures the tour would entail. Well connected with the staff at Hobbiton. Great personality, free Wi-Fi in his van -a plus and all the goodies ,drinks snacks & his wife's home made brownies.Great welcome to NZ

Enjoyable day

eaton54, Dec 2019

Nice all day tour of the city , countryside and Hobbiton. Steven was very pleasant and knowledgeable. Wife and I were in the 30% who visited Hobbiton without ever seeing any of the movies or reading the books . It is a beautiful setting and a nice tour of the movie set . Worth going whether or not your a fan .