Waitomo Glowworms and Hobbiton. Rail and road

Tour 104

You will be picked up from any inner Auckland City accommodation between 7am and 7.20am and transferred to the Strand Railway Station to board the "Northern Explorer" train departing at 7.45am.

Sit back and relax and enjoy the scenic journey through suburban South Auckland then along the banks of the Waikato River, at 425 km New Zealand's longest, and through the city of Hamilton and some of the most fertile dairy farmland in New Zealand. If you have missed breakfast the staff in the dining car will be delighted to assist (extra expense)

Arrival in Otorohanga is scheduled for 10.50am  and you will be met and transferred to the Waitomo Caves, about 20 minutes away. Join your local guide for a 45 minute tour of the main Waitomo limestone cave and unforgettable cruise in the Glowworm Grotto.

Transfer to the Hobbiton Movie Set with a lunch break on the way (lunch own expense). At the Shires Rest join your specialist local guide for 2.5 hours exploring the movie set. Drive through part of the 500 hectare (1,250 acre) sheep and cattle farm. Learn from your local guide how the set was created and see the Hobbit Holes, Gardens, Bag End (Bilbo and Frodo Baggins home) Party Tree, lake, The Mill, Green Dragon Inn, and much more including going 'Beyond the Door' into a humble Hobbit home in Bagshot Row.. On arrival at the Green Dragon Inn one cold drink awaits - your choice of dark or light beer, apple cider, or non alcoholic ginger ale. On completion of the tour and a little shopping time for authentic Weta workshop souvenirs we carry on through Matamata.and across the Hauraki Plains arriving Auckland about 7.30pm. You will be taken back to your accommodation.

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