3 Day Hobbiton, Rotorua and Geothermal Experience
3 days starting in Auckland
Breadcrumb
New Zealand tour itinerary name and information
Thrifty Tours

3 Day Hobbiton, Rotorua and Geothermal Experience

Travel from Auckland, the City of Sails, to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and back again on this 3 day journey. Beginning your journey in Auckland, and hop aboard a coach southbound through the lush farmland of the Waikato, until eventually reaching Matamata, home to the famous Hobbiton, the gateway to Middle Earth. During your guided tour you'll see Hobbit holes, The Mill and The Green Dragon Inn, and learn about how the lush farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle Earth. Post tour, tuck into a delicious lunch before carrying on to Rotorua, with all of it's geothermal wonders for you to explore. Day two is full of adventure and culture, starting with Rotorua Duck Tours. This unique sightseeing adventure takes place on land and water, on-board a WWII amphibious Duck. Unlike any other tour in Rotorua, the duck tour is the best way to see the city and experience the beauty of the surrounding lake district all at once. Then, New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, Tamaki Māori Village presents TE PĀ TŪ. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. Day 3 brings even more adventure, with a Volcanic Air Safaris by floatplane! From above Mount Tarawera, soak in the impressive views, including vast volcanic rifts, distant national parks and treasured lakes. Finally, your adventure comes to an end, embarking upon a coach journey back to Auckland.

*Tour available from 30th September 2023 in accordance with product availability

Tour summary and feature

About this NZ Road Trip

Seat-in-Coach Touring

This suggested tour costs from NZD$1,825 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Auckland, finishes in Auckland

3 days/2 nights

Hotel 4 star

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 4 times in the last 7 days

price pp from

NZD$1,825

twin share/double
Get Instant Quote Full Road Trip details Enquire Now
Currency selector
All prices are in
Tour full itinerary
Detailed itinerary for this New Zealand Road Trip

Day 1 - Auckland to Hobbiton to Rotorua

3 Day Hobbiton, Rotorua and Geothermal Experience - Day 1
Hobbiton Movie Set Day Tour from Auckland to Rotorua with Gray Line

Take a journey into the heart of the Central North Island, and visit famous Hobbiton Movie Set. Setting off from Auckland, travel through the lush farmland of the Waikato and King Country regions. Take a guided tour of the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, located inside a picturesque 1,250 acre sheep and beef farm near Matamata. Here, the village of Hobbiton was carefully created in amazing detail as a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. During your guided tour of this amazing location you’ll see sights like Hobbit holes, the Mill and the Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, tuck into a delicious lunch in the Party Marquee and then travel to Rotorua.

Meals included: Lunch

Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Millennium Hotel is Rotorua's largest 4-star deluxe hotel. Perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views.

Back to top

Day 2 - Discover Rotorua today, evening Tamaki Maori village and dinner

3 Day Hobbiton, Rotorua and Geothermal Experience - Day 2
Rotorua Duck Tours City & Lakes Tour

You haven't seen Rotorua until you've seen it from a Duck. Discover Rotorua in the most unique way possible with the City and Lakes Tour. This unique sightseeing adventure takes place on land and water, on-board a WWII amphibious Duck. Unlike any other tour in Rotorua, the duck tour is the best way to see the city and experience the beauty of the surrounding lake district all at once.
Your tour begins right in the heart of the city where you will discover the sights and sounds, and learn all about the rich history and diversity that makes Rotorua such a unique destination. With your conDUCKtor, you will venture out of town to the spectacular lakes district where you will see magnificent views of Mt Tarawera and splashdown into Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Okareka.

Te Pā Tū Evening Maori Cultural Experience

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, presenting Te Pā Tū. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Millennium Hotel is Rotorua's largest 4-star deluxe hotel. Perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views.

Back to top

Day 3 - Explore the geothermal world from above before travelling to Auckland early evening

3 Day Hobbiton, Rotorua and Geothermal Experience - Day 3
Orakei Korako Hidden Valley with Volcanic Air Safaris by floatplane

From above Mount Tarawera impressive views include vast volcanic rifts, distant national parks and our treasured lakes. Flying south on a floatplane, you will gain an appreciation of what local Maori refer to as the ‘Sisters of Fire’. Here, volcanic activity has pierced the earth surface across the fault-line forming the reserves of Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu which, when viewed from above, dismay a spectacular palette of natures most vibrant colours. Landing at Orakei Korako, ‘the Hidden Valley’, is an amazing opportunity to experience hot springs, gushing geysers and the natural beauty of this geothermal wonderland.

Rotorua to Auckland by InterCity Coach

The drive from Rotorua to Auckland takes you through the heart of the Waikato and its rich agricultural land. Along New Zealand's longest river, the Waikato. A little further than Hamilton is Auckland City, New Zealand's largest, spread over approximately 60 square kilometres. From the vibrant and trendy fashion and cuisine found in Ponsonby and Parnell to the breathtaking native bush and beaches of the West Coast, Auckland is full of life and the opportunities to explore are endless.

Meals included: Breakfast

Back to top

Currency selector
All prices are in
Tour quick quote
Get a QUOTE for this NZ Road Trip
Step 1: Select a start date for your NZ Road Trip
Step 2: Select number of passengers and room configuration
Select the number of adults per room type
Double room (based on 2 adults in 1 room, 1 bed)
Twin room (based on 2 adults sharing 1 room with 2 beds)
Single occupancy (based on 1 adult in one room)
No pricing loaded - please choose another date or contact us
Your quote for this tour:
Start date:
End date:
Guests:
Rooms:
Total cost for this tour package is: NZD$0
This quote is based on vehicles to accommodate your party in the vehicle type. We suggest changing the car type or contacting us for the best options.
Save and send a copy of this quote to

NOTE: Quotes are subject to availability of specific accommodation and other inclusions. Our NZ Road Trip experts will be in touch with you regarding this. Costs quoted in currencies other than New Zealand dollars (NZ$) are based on todays exchange rate and is subject to change. Terms and Conditions apply.
Remember - we can create this NZ Road Trip with any style of accommodation or customise to suit your interests and timeframe.

Send us an enquiry about this NZ Road Trip

This Road Trip will be attached to your enquiry details. Just tell us a little more about what you are looking for and we will be in touch very soon.

Contact form

Fields marked * are mandatory

Your contact information
Subscribe to our Regular Newsletter for Inspiring Holiday Ideas