TV & Movie Set Tours in Auckland

Auckland's TV and movie tours revolve around one world famous destination, the Hobbiton Movie Set in the Waikato countryside, with several ways to fit it into a day trip depending on how much else you want to see. A behind the scenes look at movie effects back in the city rounds out the options for anyone who wants their film fix without the two hour drive south. Here is what is actually touring from Auckland right now.

Hobbiton Movie Set and Te Puia Geothermal Valley Tour

The Hobbiton and Te Puia Geothermal Valley Tour pairs a 2.5 hour guided walk through the Hobbit Holes, the Mill and the double arched bridge with an afternoon at Te Puia in Rotorua, taking in the Pohutu Geyser, bubbling mud pools and a Maori cultural village. A complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn and hotel pick up are both included across this 11 hour day.

Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Tour from Auckland

The Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Tour swaps Rotorua for the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, combining the guided Hobbiton walking tour with a silent boat ride beneath thousands of glowworms, giving this option a genuinely different second stop to the geothermal valley combo.

Hobbiton Day Tour from Auckland

The Hobbiton Day Tour keeps things focused purely on the movie set, a small group tour with a guided walk past 44 hobbit holes, vegetable gardens and the Green Dragon Inn, with surprise photo stops through the Waikato countryside along the way.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland - Full Day

The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour - Full Day departs early at 6am for a longer scenic drive south, with time to browse the official Hobbiton Gift Shop and Shire's Rest Cafe before the guided walking tour, making this the pick for anyone who wants a slower, less rushed start to the day.

Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour

The Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour at SkyCity Auckland takes a different approach entirely, a behind the scenes look at three original movie sets covering fantasy, science fiction and horror, with hands on encounters with creatures, robots and dinosaurs, all within the city itself.

Frequently asked questions

Which Hobbiton tour from Auckland includes another destination?

Both the Hobbiton and Te Puia Geothermal Valley Tour and the Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Tour combine the movie set with a second destination, Rotorua's geothermal valley or the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

How long is a standalone Hobbiton day tour from Auckland?

Standalone tours run between 8 and 9 hours including transfers, with around 2.5 hours spent on the guided walking tour of the movie set itself.

Is a drink included at the Green Dragon Inn on Hobbiton tours?

Yes, a complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn is included across the standalone and combo Hobbiton tours from Auckland.

Is the Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour connected to Hobbiton?

No, it is a separate behind the scenes movie effects experience at SkyCity Auckland, covering different film genres rather than the Hobbiton set itself.

Do Hobbiton tours from Auckland include hotel pick up?

Yes, all of the Hobbiton tours listed here include return transfers from central Auckland accommodation.

Local tip: choose the combo tour that matches your interests rather than your time budget, the Rotorua and Waitomo add ons are genuinely different experiences, so it is worth picking based on geothermal culture versus glowworm caves.

Book your Auckland TV and movie tour above, whether that means a full day Hobbiton and Rotorua combo, a Waitomo glowworm pairing, a standalone movie set walk, or a behind the scenes look at Weta Workshop.