We are pleased to announce that the Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific and TranzAlpine trains have returned to the tracks for spring and summer. Face masks are now mandatory on The Northern Explorer including all sectors on the journey, except when consuming food or drink.
Cook Strait ferry bookings and some daytours and bus routes are also open for sale. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries on 0800 143 669 or info@newzealandtravelteam.com
We understand that Covid-19 continues to add uncertainty in planning, and indeed all the train services rely on the country being at Covid - 19 Alert Level 1. Should there be cancellation of services due to Covid 19 restrictions, we will offer affected customers a transfer to an alternative date, a credit for 12 months, or a refund, regardless of the fare purchased less a $30 processing fee for the entire reservation.
Setting out from Rotorua, your Hobbiton Movie Set tour starts with a scenic drive across the Kaimai Ranges to Matamata, a small town in the Waikato region known for its thoroughbred industry and dairy farming. Along the way your local driver guide will provide informative commentary and share stories about the region and its history.
Just outside of Matamata is the private working farm that was transformed into The Shire for the award-winning The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. The home of Tolkien's beloved hobbits Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin has been preserved since filming wrapped, and now draws visitors from around the world.
Take a two-hour guided tour of the movie set and learn how this picturesque farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. Your guide will show you Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Party Tree, the Mill and many other structures from the movies.
After your Hobbiton movie set tour, continue to Auckland, arriving in the evening.
Tour details
Full day tour
Operates daily
Departs Rotorua, arrives Auckland
Tour includes
Luxury coach travel Rotorua - Hobbiton - Auckland
Hobbiton Movie set guided tour
Free WiFi available on board
