Tauranga Shore Excursion: Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Film Set Tour Including Rotorua Sightseeing

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Zealandier Tours, Tauranga 3149 New Zealand

Worry-free Shore Excursion:

We will ensure your timely return to the Tauranga port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transport to the next port-of call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.

Stop At: Hobbiton Film Set, 501 Buckland Road Matamata, Hinuera 3472 New Zealand

Your shore excursion begins with pickup from your cruise ship port at Tauranga. The scenic route to Middle Earth takes you across the Tauranga harbour bridge, then leaves the Bay of Plenty coast to climb the Kaimai mountain range and enter the Waikato district's lush farmlands.

Arriving at Hobbiton near the town of Matamata in Waikato, meet your guide and take a two-hour tour of this famous film set location. Enter the world of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings on a walk past hobbit holes, stand under the party tree and admire the gently rolling farmland that brought the Shire to life. Your Hobbiton tour concludes with a drink of beer, cider or ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn.


Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Lake Rotorua, Rotorua New Zealand

Your tour continues over the Mamaku mountain range and into Rotorua. Stop for lunch (own expense) beside Lake Rotorua, then continue to the living thermal village of Whakarewarewa.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village, 17 Tryon Street Whakarewarewa Village, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand

Accompanied by a Maori guide, admire the amazing thermal springs and bubbling mud pools, and see the famous Pohutu Geyser burst into life. Listen to your guide's fascinating commentary, and hear how people learned to live in harmony with the geothermal activity, cooking over steam vents and swimming in the hot springs.

Your tour also takes you to the traditional Maori meeting house, Whare Tupuna, with its ancient wood carvings. See Maori customs and legends come to life when you experience a traditional Maori welcome, songs and dances, including the warlike Haka dance with its demonstration of fighting skills.

Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, Long Mile Road The Redwoods, Rotorua 3046 New Zealand

The return trip to the port follows a different route, revealing more of New Zealand's scenic beauty. If time allows, stop at a redwood forest en route for a photo shoot – with cloaks, hats, staffs and swords provided, you can dress up as Bilbo, Gandalf, Eowyn and other favourite characters from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit for the ultimate souvenir of your trip to Middle Earth!