1 nights in hotel 3 star, with the named property for each night listed in the day by day itinerary above, so you can look every one of them up before you commit.

North Island · Independent coach travel (self guided)

Middle Earth Escape

Q: Can this itinerary be changed?

Yes, and most guests change something. Add nights, upgrade rooms, swap activities or start from a different city: tell us what you would change and we re-quote Middle Earth Escape at no cost and no obligation.

Q: When does this tour depart?

On your dates. There is no group to fill, so choose a start date and we confirm the coach services, accommodation and activities around it.

Q: What do we pay, and when?

Nothing to enquire. A firm written quote arrives within one working day; if you go ahead, a 20% deposit per person (minimum NZ$250) confirms every booking and the balance is due 70 days before travel, with the exact date on your quote. Deposits can be paid by card, which keeps your card scheme's dispute protections in play.

2 days, 1 nights
Starts and ends in Auckland
Hotel 3 star

Fromper person, twin share

Where you will go

2 places you sleep in over 1 nights. Select a place in the list to find it on the map.

Overnight stop, in route orderVisited on the wayScheduled coach, no guideStarts and ends in Auckland. 2 overnight stops across 2 days, about 470 km of driving. Select a marker to open that day.

Overview

Independent coach travel (self guided). You travel on your own on scheduled coach services. Your seats and hotels are reserved; no guide travels with you. You are not left to it: your whole trip is in a travel app, and our New Zealand support team is a message or call away, seven days a week.

Visit Waitomo Caves, the Rotorua Agrodome, Te Puia, Tamaki Māori Village and Hobbiton Movie Set on this 2 day fun filled tour. 2 days through the North Island, starting and finishing in Auckland. Along the way: Te Pā Tū Evening Māori Cultural Experience - Dinner Included, Rotorua to Auckland via Hobbiton Movie Set, Waitomo Caves. Every night is booked and the travelling is handled, so the itinerary below is what you actually do rather than a list of things you could arrange yourself.

1 night accommodation
2 included activities
2 meals included

Explore more:North Island toursHobbiton and Lord of the RingsFamily holidaysSolo travellersRotorua toursHobbiton toursAuckland tours

What is included, and what is not

Included in the price

1 nights of accommodation, hotel 3 star
Scheduled coach travel between destinations, seats reserved
2 included activities and entries along the way
A detailed day by day itinerary with every booking reference
Support from a New Zealand based specialist while you travel

Included activities

Te Pā Tū Evening Māori Cultural Experience - Dinner Included
Rotorua to Auckland via Hobbiton Movie Set

Not included

International flights to and from New Zealand
Travel insurance, which we recommend arranging on the day you pay your deposit
Meals other than the 2 meals listed in the itinerary
Personal spending, tips and anything not listed as included

Anything here can be added. Extra nights, room upgrades, more activities or a different vehicle: tell us what you would change and we re-quote, no obligation.

Day by day

Aucklandview on Google Maps

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, presenting Te Pā Tū. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Tour and Te Puia with FlexiTours - Lunch Included

Travel from Auckland to Rotorua and visit the famous Waitomo Caves along the way. This tour showcases some of the most iconic destinations on North Island. Discover Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal activity and rich Māori heritage. Enjoy a guided tour of the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves and explore the geothermal wonderland of Te Puia. Your journey concludes in Rotorua.

AucklandTourism New Zealand

TonightSudima Lake RotoruaLunch and speciality dinner

Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua boasts a location that is second-to-none, right on the shores of beautiful Lake Rotorua. Adjacent to the world-famous Polynesian Spa complex and just a short stroll to all the attractions in Rotorua.

Hobbitonview on Google Maps

Departing from Rotorua in the morning, this is a wonderful way to get to Auckland and includes a magical journey through Middle-earth to the Hobbiton Movie Set from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" films. On arrival at Shire’s Rest, you embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour. You will get to see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge, the party tree and visit the Green Dragon Inn. At this stunning location, you can take a photo at the door of Bilbo’s house, Bag End and look out over the whole of Hobbiton to the hills in the distance. Following the Hobbiton tour, enjoy lunch at either Shire’s Rest or in the marquee beside the Green Dragon Inn. After lunch, there is time for some shopping before you leave to drive north through lush Waikato dairy farms and over the Bombay Hills arriving in Auckland where you will be transferred to your inner-city accommodation.

Good to know

Departures

This itinerary departs on the dates that suit you, subject to availability. Peak season (December to February) books out early, so enquire well ahead for summer travel.

Make it yours

Add nights, upgrade rooms, swap activities or extend into the other island. Tell us what you would change and we will re-quote, no obligation.

Never travelling alone

Your whole itinerary lives in a smart travel app with live vouchers, maps and daily guidance, and your own travel specialist is reachable seven days a week while you are on the road. If plans change, we rearrange them in real time.

Who you are booking with

Operator: This itinerary is operated by a Qualmark Gold certified New Zealand operator. We book it for you and stay your point of contact.
Silver Fern Travel: Tourism New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist (Insider), IATA certified, based in Auckland, New Zealand.
Prices: Quoted from the operator's own booking engine and refreshed weekly. The figure on this page is the one you will be quoted.
Paying: A 20% deposit confirms your booking; the balance is due 70 days before travel. How your money is protected.

Watch: Hobbiton on this itinerary

Asked before booking

Can this itinerary be changed?

Is there a guide travelling with us?

No, and that is the point of this style: Middle Earth Escape is an independent itinerary built on scheduled coach services. Your seats, accommodation and included activities are booked and sequenced for you, and you travel between them at your own pace, with our team reachable throughout. If you would prefer a tour leader with you every day, ask us and we will send the escorted equivalents instead.

When does this tour depart?

Where will we stay?

What do we pay, and when?

Something not answered here? , no quote attached.

Still deciding? Worth a read: How many days do you actually need in New Zealand? · The best time to visit New Zealand, from people who live here

Fromper person, twin share

Per day: NZ$895planning included
Travelling solo: NZ$1,955single occupancy

No payment to enquire; a firm quote within one working day. Lowest priced travel dates, two sharing. International flights not included. A 20% deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due 70 days before travel. How your money is protected

Qualmark Gold, the official quality mark of New Zealand tourism

Itineraries operated by a Qualmark Gold certified New Zealand operator. Tourism New Zealand 100% Pure Insider.

Request a quote for this trip

No payment, no obligation. A specialist replies with a firm quote within one working day.

How it works

How your money is protected

Tell us about your trip
Get your firm quote
Shape it until it fits
Confirm with a 20% deposit
Everything is booked for you
Travel with us beside you

The Silver Fern Promise

You never hand over more than a small deposit

Nothing to enquire, nothing until your quote is confirmed in writing, and never more than your deposit until the balance falls due 70 days before travel. Deposits can be paid by card, which keeps your card scheme’s protections in play.

How your money is protected

A firm quote within one working day

Availability checked with our New Zealand operations team and confirmed in writing, not an automated estimate.

No booking fees, and nothing to pay to enquire

Quotes are free and carry no obligation. You pay a deposit only once the itinerary is right and you say go.

One person, before and during your trip

The same specialist plans your trip and is reachable while you are travelling, alongside in-country support seven days a week.

Insider status, Tourism New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Programme. IATA certified. Every itinerary is operated by a Qualmark Gold certified New Zealand tour operator.

Questions before you enquire? Email hello@silverferntravel.com and ask. No form required.

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Independent coach, self guided Hotel 3 star

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