Lake Karapiro

The tour starts with pickup from Auckland city, where the adventure begins as you drive through the stunning Waikato countryside, the most extensive farming area in the world, on a fully guided journey to Hobbiton. Along the way, don’t forget to take advantage of the photo opportunities as you admire the stunning natural landscapes all around of beautiful mountains and farmlands. After the drive, arrive at Alexander Family Sheep Farm and Shire's Rest, the entrance to Hobbiton, and marvel at the thousands of sheep that live here. While you’re here, grab a bite to eat, a coffee, or enjoy an ice cream to cool off while your guide collects your tickets to the movie set.  Next, hop on board one of the big green Hobbiton buses to depart on your 2.5 hour fully guided tour of this amazing 12-acre movie set with a professional Hobbiton guide to ensure you get the most out of your visit. During your tour trip into the lush pastures of the Shire, visit 44 hobbit holes, see amazing gardens, hear secrets and stories about the making of the movies and finish your LOTR experience with a cold beverage at the famous Hobbiton pub, The Green Dragon Inn. After your LOTR experience, it’s time to head west towards the stunning Waitomo region. Along the way admire the incredible hydro dams, beautiful farmland, race horses, and the Kiwiana capital of New Zealand. Before arriving at the caves, stop by Waitomo homestead for lunch, and a little surprise. Once in Waitomo, explore the ancient and amazing caves and marvel at the many cave formations including Stalactites, Stalagmites, and Lime Columns before descending even further underground for your Glowworm Grotto experience. Board your glow-worm boat for a cruise on the grotto river with thousands of glowworms sparkling above you. Unique to New Zealand for over 120 years, Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a must-see for any traveler. Due to the delicate ecosystem within the Waitomo Caves, photography is not permitted inside. This policy helps protect the glowworms and limestone formations, ensuring the preservation of this unique environment for future visitors to enjoy. On the guided trip back to Auckland the sights continue with New Zealand's longest river, the Huntly power station, and the Maori Queens’ burial site.

Begin your day with a pickup from your local Rotorua accommodation at 8:00 AM. You will join your small group and expert guide who will provide full commentary and insights into the areas you are travelling through as well as background to both Hobbiton and Waitomo caves. Arrive at your first stop, Hobbiton, where you will go down to the set itself and have one of the specialist Hobbiton guides take you on a walking tour around the 44 Hobbit holes. Get the chance to have a photo in the doorway of a Hobbit house, see the Party Tree and stand by the gate to Bilbo’s house ‘Bag End’ overlooking the whole set to the hills in the distance. Before your buffet lunch feast in the Party Marquee (which is included in the price) enjoy a complimentary ale, cider, or ginger beer in the Green Dragon Inn. Continue on your journey with a short drive to Waitomo Caves through some beautiful countryside, travelling beside Lake Karapiro and across the famous Arapuni Dam. Arrive at Waitomo as oneof the experienced guides takes you on a walking tour through the caves. Take an iconic boat ride and glide through the world-famous glowworm grotto (subject to water levels). Marvel in silence at thousands of magical glow worms which are unique to the southern hemisphere, before exiting the cave. After your tour at Waitomo, your guide will continue on to your Auckland inner city accommodation with an optional stop for afternoon tea.

Your guided tour commences in the late afternoon or early evening. As you paddle along the southern end of Lake Karapiro, crossing over the old submerged Horahora Village and power station that produced electricity for the early Waihi goldfields. Learn about local Maori and early European history of the area while enjoying the twilight and silence of being on the water as the day draws to an end. The magic begins as you paddle slowly up the Pokaiwhenua stream and through a spectacular canyon carved out by water over many hundreds of years. Native ferns and trees and bird life surround you and you may even hear brown trout breaking the water's surface. When darkness falls you will drift silently back downstream, surrounded by glow worms on either side sparkling like tiny Christmas lights.

Experience an ecological river cruise on a speedboat that is tailored to the wishes of the customers on board, this includes the speed, and the number of slides and spins if any. The experienced driver will give you a detailed history of the area and Karapiro Dam and power station. Admire the native birds and wildlife which make the area home. Your guide has a diploma in environmental management and an in-depth knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Encounter numerous fish species and birds species such as Fantail, Kingfisher, Tui, Harrier Hawk, NZ Falcon, Heron, Shag, Mallard Duck and more. See large waterfalls from the towering cliffs above. Experience some of the narrowest sections of the Waikato River with the forest canopy above. Visit the base of the Karapiro Hydro Power station with full commentary provided. Then, cruise back to beautiful Cambridge.