Hobbiton Movie Set and Hamilton Gardens Small Group-from Auckland
Description
Embark on an enchanting day trip from Auckland, beginning with a journey to the captivating Hamilton Gardens. Nestled amidst the picturesque Waikato countryside, Hamilton gardens offers a botanical wonderland where history, culture, and nature intertwine. Explore themed gardens inspired by diverse cultures and eras, from the tranquil Japanese Garden to the vibrant Indian Char Bagh. Delve into historical landscapes like the Italian Renaissance and Tudor Gardens, marveling at meticulously recreated scenes from the past. The adventure crescendos as we continue to the heart of Middle-earth – Hobbiton. Wander through the enchanting film set, where charming hobbit holes dot the landscape, and the iconic Green Dragon Inn beckons with warmth and cheer. Delve into the magic of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, capturing the essence of this beloved fantasy realm.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Embark on your expedition from the largest city in New Zealand. Your journey begins bright and early as you depart Auckland and head towards the lush landscapes of the Waikato region. As we set out, your guide will kick off the day's adventures, laying the groundwork for an enthralling exploration. Travel journey time from Auckland to Hamilton Gardens approximately- 2 hours
Upon arrival at Hamilton Gardens, you'll step into a world of botanical wonder, where themed gardens from different cultures and historical periods await your exploration. Step into a world of themed gardens that whisk you away to distant lands and bygone eras, from the tranquil Japanese Garden to the vibrant Indian Char Bagh Garden. Traverse through meticulously recreated historical landscapes, such as the Italian Renaissance Garden and Tudor Garden, and marvel at the botanical wonders of the Paradise Collection and Rhododendron Lawn. Find moments of tranquility by Turtle Lake or in the Rogers Rose Garden. Perfect for families, the Children's Discovery Trail offers interactive delights. Hamilton Gardens promises a journey through time, culture, and natural beauty, creating lasting memories for every traveler.
After immersing yourself in the beauty of Hamilton Gardens, it's time to continue your adventure to the iconic Hobbiton movie set. As you approach the rolling hills of the countryside, you'll feel like you've stepped into the magical realm of Middle earth. Upon arrival at Hobbiton, you will start with a visit to the official Hobbiton Gift Shop. Here, you can savor the opportunity to sample local delights or enjoy a refreshing beverage at the renowned Shire's Rest Café. Embark on a captivating 2.5 hour guided tour of the sprawling 1,250-acre sheep farm, offering breathtaking views of the majestic Kaimai Ranges Follow your knowledgeable guide as they lead you through the charming hobbit holes, lush gardens, and iconic landmarks featured in the beloved Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Don't forget to pose for photos in front of Bilbo's Bag End home and raise a toast at the Green Dragon Inn with a refreshing beverage straight from the Shire.
Experience the tranquil beauty of Lake Karapiro enroute from Hamiton to the Hobbition Movie Set. Approximately 1 hour drive
With memories made and hearts full, you'll return to Auckland, cherishing the enchanting experiences and unforgettable sights you encountered on this magical day trip to Hobbiton and Hamilton Gardens. 2.5 - 3 hours travel time back to Auckland Hotel Drop-off: Conclude your day with a convenient drop-off at your Auckland hotel/accommodation
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
- If your accommodation is not yet confirmed, we suggest selecting The SkyCity Hotel for now—you can update it later if needed! - We offer convenient pick-ups from selected hotels. If your location isn’t listed, simply choose the nearest available option and meet us there. - Pick-ups start up to 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please be ready and waiting outside by then for a smooth start. - Pick-up locations are planned based on each tour and may vary by day. If there are any changes to your pick-up spot, please let us know in advance. - Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. To keep the tour on schedule, we recommend being ready 5–10 minutes early, as we are unable to wait for late arrivals. - As our hotel pickups operate from downtown CBD, guests located near the airport or South Auckland can be picked up from The Sebel, Auckland Manukau at 16 Lakewood Court, Manukau City Centre, Auckland 2104,
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(21)
We enjoy the trip with expedigo team to hobbiton , driver/guide deane alsoso helpful and kind to explained all of it.
Thank you so much — that’s really nice to hear. I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip to Hobbiton with our team. Deane will be happy to know you found him helpful and kind — he always does his best to explain everything clearly and make the day easy and enjoyable. Thanks again for choosing to travel with us!
Cancelled 2 days before by the organizer therefore no possibility to find something reasonable equivalent
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We would like to clarify the situation so readers understand what actually occurred. Your booking included both Hobbiton and Hamilton Gardens. Unfortunately, the Hamilton Gardens portion had to be cancelled due to insufficient participant numbers. You were informed ahead of time and offered clear options: either proceed with the Hobbiton tour only and receive a refund for the Hamilton Gardens portion, or cancel the tour entirely. You chose to continue with the Hobbiton tour, which you did attend and complete. Therefore, stating that the tour was “cancelled by the organizer two days beforehand with no reasonable alternative” is not accurate. The full tour was not cancelled — only the Hamilton Gardens experience was, and an alternative (Hobbiton-only with partial refund) was provided and accepted by you. We are a reputable company and always communicate changes transparently. We respectfully ask that reviews reflect the facts so future travelers receive accurate information.
It is a beautiful place to visit. I didn’t watch the movie Lord of Rings. However, our local tour guide, Yen or Yam (originally from Singapore), introduced the place so vividly from the director’s selection of the movie shooting site to the selection of local people as his actors and actresses that I am curious to watch the movie myself.
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the tour. It’s great to know that even without having seen The Lord of the Rings, the way Yam described the history and the filming details sparked your curiosity to watch the movies. That’s exactly the kind of experience we hope to create. Enjoy the films when you do!
It was amazing trip and experience, got excellent experience! Strongly recommend everyone to try by their own, our driver Joe was very friendly and intelligent!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you had an amazing experience and enjoyed the trip. Joe will be thrilled to hear your kind words! We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another adventure soon.
Wonderful relaxing drive and the tour of Hobbiton and Hamilton Garden were just as expected. We were well taken care by our guide Hufeza and would recommend taking this trip with him.
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with Expedigo Tours. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the relaxing drive and that both the Hobbiton and Hamilton Gardens tours met your expectations. Your kind words about our guide, Huzefa, are much appreciated; he consistently receives praise for his knowledge and hospitality.
Our driver was really friendly, fun and informative on the drive to and from Hobbiton. Water and snacks were provided and we stopped for a coffee break on the way. Would recommend and use again
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the drive to and from Hobbiton. It's great to know that our driver made the journey fun and informative for you. We truly appreciate your recommendation and would be more than happy to welcome you again in the future
Joe our guide was amazing! Both venues were wonderful. He made us very special. The Hobbiton Set was all I expected and more and Hamilton Gardens were beautiful.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Joe made your experience even more special. It's wonderful to know that both Hobbiton and Hamilton Gardens exceeded your expectations. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on another adventure
Amazing experience to see Hobbiton, truly what I expected it to be and beyond, felt truly was in the shire. Also saw Hamilton Gardens, hands down the best garden I’ve seen. Huzefa was an amazing tour guide. Also Fatima helped organize many of my tours while in Auckland and was very helpful and helped me see everything I wanted to see.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that Hobbiton exceeded your expectations and that you felt like you were truly in the Shire. We're also glad you enjoyed the beauty of Hamilton Gardens—it’s a hidden gem! Huzefa will be so pleased to hear your kind words, and Fatima is always happy to help organize the perfect itinerary for our guests. We’re grateful to have been part of your adventure and look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable experiences in the future!
Hobbiton was a magical place despite heavy rain at times. Walking through the Shire with a knowledgeable guide who had great stories to tell was a great experience. The highlight was spending time in a hobbit hole imagining hobbits living there. Also enjoyable was having a drink in the Green Dragon. The vast operation at Hobbiton was well organised and you have plenty of time to take as many photos as you want. Hamilton Gardens was also a great visit. The different gardens are spectacular and well thought out. I think you could easily spend more time there even if you were not that interested in plants. Our driver for the day was very good. Pick up was on time, the minibus was comfortable and he was full of interesting facts about the countryside we drove through.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear that, despite the rain, you had a magical time at Hobbiton. Walking through the Shire and imagining life in a hobbit hole truly is a unique experience, and it’s great that you enjoyed your time at the Green Dragon as well. We're thrilled to hear that the organization of the tour allowed you plenty of time to capture those perfect photos! It’s also fantastic to know you enjoyed Hamilton Gardens – they really are a hidden gem, and we're glad you appreciated the variety and beauty they offer. We're pleased to hear that your driver made your journey even more enjoyable with their knowledge and timely service. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we’d love to have you on another tour in the future!
A really great experience, for anyone who has seen the movies this is a definite must do. Our guide (Rob) was superb, he had a great sense of making the visit something to remember. We would recommend to anyone visiting the north island.
Thank you so much for your great review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a memorable experience, especially if you’re a fan of the movies! It’s wonderful that Rob made the visit even more special with his great sense of humor and knowledge. We truly appreciate your recommendation, and we’d love to welcome you back for more unforgettable experiences on the North Island!
