Hobbiton Movie Set Tour - Departs Tauranga
Description
PLEASE NOTE: This tour no longer operates in conjunction with cruise ships docking at the port of Tauranga. All other days will operate as normal. Step into the magical world of Middle-earth on this unforgettable journey from the Bay of Plenty to the world-famous Hobbiton Movie Set, combined with scenic coastal views, native forest walks, and beautiful countryside landscapes.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Step into the magical world of Middle-earth on this unforgettable journey from the Bay of Plenty to the world-famous Hobbiton Movie Set, combined with scenic coastal views, native forest walks, and beautiful countryside landscapes. Departing from Mount Maunganui, the tour begins with a scenic drive past the iconic Mauao and a stop at the beautiful Mount Main Beach, famous for its golden sands, rolling surf, and spectacular coastal scenery.
Leaving the coastline behind, we travel through Tauranga City and into the tranquil countryside toward McLaren Falls Park, one of the Bay of Plenty’s hidden natural gems. Here, guests enjoy a gentle walk along the Glow Worm Track through native bush and alongside the peaceful lake edge, with opportunities to spot glow worms hidden within the shaded forest areas. We then stop at the main McLaren Falls viewpoint to admire the beautiful waterfall and surrounding lake scenery before continuing inland across the spectacular Kaimai Ranges. Travelling through the rich farming landscapes around Matamata, we make a scenic stop nearby to take in the rolling green countryside that helped inspire the world of Hobbiton.
Arriving at the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, guests join the official guided tour through the enchanting movie set created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Wander through the lush green hills of the Shire, explore the charming Hobbit holes, visit famous filming locations, and hear behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the films. The tour includes visits to iconic landmarks such as Bag End, the Party Tree, and the Green Dragon Inn area, all surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens and picturesque farmland that bring Middle-earth to life. At the conclusion of the Hobbiton experience, guests will have time to browse the gift shop for souvenirs and themed merchandise before beginning the scenic return journey to Tauranga. The Hobbiton Movie Set Explorer Tour combines movie magic, coastal scenery, native forest, and stunning New Zealand countryside into one memorable Bay of Plenty adventure.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Passengers must be able to embark / disembark with minimal assistance.
Reviews(66)
We had such a great time on our hobbiton trip. Russell was very friendly and knowledgeable and made our trip very enjoyable. We would definitely go on another trip with Wicked Wanders if we had the time.
It's customers like you who make our work so enjoyable. Thank you for your support and your glowing review.
What a brilliant day out! Honestly, such a smooth experience from start to finish. Finding the meeting point was super easy and we actually left right on time, which is always a plus. Our guide, Russell, was awesome—really knowledgeable and helpful the whole way. I loved getting a bit of history about Mount Maunganui and the quick stop at McLaren Falls before we arrived at the farm. Once we hit the Hobbiton set, I completely lost track of time; I couldn’t believe we’d been walking around for two hours by the time we finished! If you're looking for a stress-free way to see the Movie Set, I'd definitely recommend booking with these guys.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review. We're honored to have earned your praise.
Hobbiton is a must do experience for anyone traveling to New Zealand, whether or not you’re familiar with hobbits. Russel, our tour guide with Wicked Wanderers Tours, was excellent. He entertained us with stories and stopped to show us some stunning NZ sights on our way. I highly recommend this five star tour!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with us.
Exceptional experience, the guide to and from Hobbiton was fantastic, she was very knowledgeable, and made the trip there and back from Tauranga so enjoyable. The experience at Hobbiton was excellent and very well run.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with us.
Russell was an enthusiastic wellspring of knowledge on the ride to Hobbiton. He was very informative in regards to historical facts on NZ, to nature, to all things LotR, the trip wouldn’t have been the same without him as a guide.
It's customers like you who make our job so rewarding. Thank you for your kind words and for choosing us.
Awesome experience and our tour driver was fantastic!!! It gave up a view of New Zealand outside the city. Stopped on the way back at McLaren Falls which was beautiful all on its own.
It's wonderful to hear that you had a fantastic experience with us. We appreciate your business and your feedback.
What a fabulous experience. We had not read the books or seen the movies but so enjoyed our tour. Russell was amazing. This is a trip not to be missed.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with us.
An excellent trip. Well worth it. Russell was a great guide and he provided excellent background. The travel to Hobbiton was easy and we included a couple of stops on the way.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with us.
This was an absolutely fabulous experience. The tour operator Russell of WickedWanders tours was first rate, entertaining, and personable. He went more than the extra mile (literally) to show us some other fascinating sites as well. Everyone at Hobbiton was so friendly and informative. Highly recommend!
It's customers like you who make our work so enjoyable. Thank you for your support and your glowing review.
We are so glad that we signed upfor this tour and Russell was ourguide. We saw Kiwi orchid, Rotorualake, Maori village with performance,geothermal pool, and the NationalForest. Russell has a wealth of information. It was a very worthwhile trip for the price.
Thank you for your review. We are glad you enjoyed your Hobbiton tour as well as the tour to Te Puia in Rotorua as well. Thank you for booking both tours with us.
