Film Studio & Workshop Tours in New Zealand: Our Top 7

1.Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 765 reviews · 6h 30m · from $182Our pick

Travel by coach from Rotorua to Hobbiton with an entertaining driver such as Hannah or Ngata, then follow an English-speaking guide through the 12-acre film set. See Hobbit holes, the Mill, double arched bridge, Party Tree, and Green Dragon Inn before a generous buffet lunch.

“I loved the beautiful flowers, vegetable gardens and fruit trees. What amazing property. Seeing the small hobbit village was a treat and going into the hobbit house at the end was special too. The buffet at the end was very good and plenty. The only thing I can think of that would make it better would be to be able to see hobbit characters to pose with or perhaps a map or pamphlet of the journeys Bilbo and Frodo took leaving the Shire. Thank you it was a lovely experience!”

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2.Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with lunch from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · from $189Top rated

Travel from central Auckland to Hobbiton by air-conditioned coach, tour the film set near Matamata, enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and eat a hot buffet lunch. Guides such as Rachel, David, Sam, and Nathan have earned praise for their commentary. The day lasts about nine hours and can include up to 48 people.

“It was absolutely amazing. Very enjoyable experience. My daughter really felt like she was in the movie.”

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3.Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 120 reviews · 9 hours · from $245

Leave Auckland around 6:30 to 7 a.m. with an English-speaking Bush and Beach guide, travel through Waikato to Hobbiton, then tour Bag End, an actual Hobbit home, and the Green Dragon Inn. A drink, buffet lunch, transport, entry, and a $10 shop voucher are included. Guides such as Damien, Wayne, Alex, and Michelle have earned especially warm praise.

“Very good trip, Hobbiton is amazing and worth the visit. We had a very good day. Our driver Michelle kept us informed about New Zealand and the movie set which made the bus trip very interesting.”

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4.6hr Hobbiton Movie Set Tour – Departs Tauranga

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · from $160Best value

Travel from Mount Maunganui to Hobbiton in a clean, air-conditioned 12-seater with a local guide such as Russell or Nicolee. Walk through the Shire, enter a hobbit hole, visit the Green Dragon Inn, and stop at McLaren Falls Park before returning to Tauranga. Hobbiton admission and a beer or soft drink are included.

“Very nice tour. Pick up from the port was very organized. Our driver was super sweet. Hobbiton was fantastic. We stopped at a few sights on the way back. No complaints.”

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5.Hobbiton movie set tour and a lot more beautiful NZ sights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · from $250

Travel from Mt. Maunganui port to Hobbiton with a small group and a local guide such as Toby, Grant, or Charles. You get the 2.5-hour Hobbiton visit plus Bay of Plenty viewpoints, a kiwifruit-growing area, mountain springs, and McLaren Falls. Entry fees and bottled water are included, but lunch is not.

“Great trip - well worth it! When we picked this excursion, it was noted that water and a snack would be provided - we received neither and it was a warm day. It's a bit of a drive to Hobbiton and then with approximately a two hour tour, by the time we got to the Green Dragon, we were very thirsty. Bring water and a snack!”

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6.Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton Movie Set Tour – One Way

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $307

Start with Auckland hotel pickup, then tour Hobbiton’s 44 Hobbit holes, step inside a Hobbit home, enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and eat a buffet lunch before a Rotorua drop-off by about 2:15pm. The group vehicle holds up to 13 people, but the Hobbiton walk joins a larger tour.

“Tried to watch Lord of Rings in preparation, but do not our thing. Didn’t matter though because the experience was awesome! Such a cool place and the buffet was so good. Our tour guide was great and so interesting and knowledgeable. It was a long day, but was so worth it.”

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7.Hobbiton Movie Set Tour to Blue Springs and Waitomo caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 10 reviews · 13 hours · from $508

Travel from Auckland with a small group of up to six, visiting Hobbiton, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and Blue Springs in one long day. Expect English or Korean guiding, hotel pickup in central Auckland, a Green Dragon Inn drink, and guides such as Naomi or David. Lunch is not included, and Blue Springs requires a one-hour walk.

“It was one of the best days! A very nice guide, Naomi, picked me up from the hotel and the trip started. The trip was very fast due to a nice conversation throughout the way. The glowworm cave WAITOMO is the wonder of nature! I have never seen smth similar in my life, so impressive. The blue springs is also an unforgettable place, very beautiful and calm. To visit the Hobbiton was my dream for a long time and it finally came true. I am so happy! Thank you Sunny tour for such a nice organisation.”

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