LOTR Hobbiton movie set - Farm show - Lunch - Te Puia - Rotorua
A new tour this season, combines the famous Lord of the Rings movie set location at Hobbiton, located on a working sheep farm, with Rotorua. The Hobbiton private tour lets us see how this hidden valley was transformed and used in all of the LOTR films. See farm livestock in a small demonstration, before taking lunch at the Shires Rest cafe overlooking rolling hills. Departing Hobbiton, we head to Rotorua for our visit to Te Puia.  Here we you can experience the natural wonders of the geothermal geysers and mud pools, then watch the traditional Maori cultural performance on the Marae before heading back to Tauranga.

Please note that Hobbiton is closed due to filming of the Hobbit Movie from the 14th February until the 20th March 2011, we appologise for this disruption to our tour schedule. But if you want to see the movie set now is a good time to visit as we are not sure what will be removed once filming ends.

Adult $295.00 NZ      Child $225.00 NZ

Itinerary

Departing Tauranga, we first cross the harbour bridge, which offers great views of The Mount, the volcanic core 232m high which marks the entrance to the harbour of Tauranga. We then climb up to over 1000 feet to cross the Kaimai mountain range which divides the Bay of Plenty coastal region from the Waikato district, the main dairy farming area of New Zealand.

We soon arrive at Hobbiton, the movie set location for the village in the Lord of The Rings films. Here we will be met by our private guide for an informative tour around the movie set location. Stand under the party tree, walk past the Hobbit holes, imagine yourself amongst the characters. Nestled deep in the rolling hills of the Waikato, this location was chosen for it unblemished landscape.

Next we visit the small sheep farming demonstration before taking lunch at the Shires Rest cafe overlooking the rolling hills.

Leaving Hobbiton, our journey takes us through the Mamaku Ranges, past ancient forests and over the rim of the volcanic crater which now forms the lake of Rotorua.

After passing through the city of Rotorua and some of the famous landmarks such the Rotorua Bath House and Government Gardens we arrive at Te Puia, the home of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and the location of the famous Pohutu geyser.

We will visit a carving school and see craftsman fashion traditional wood carvings, then move on to watch Maori women demonstrate flax weaving. A short walk takes us through the geothermal valley of Whakarewarewa to view the mud pools, the famous Pohutu geyser and hot pools that make Te Puia unique.  See New Zealand's iconic flightless bird, the Kiwi in a purpose built Kiwi-house. Explore the recreated traditional Maori fortified village.

Seats are reserved for us to see a Maori Cultural Performance, this is given on the Marae, in one of the few fully carved meeting houses in New Zealand, a place of special spiritual significance to Maori. Here you will see the traditional songs, dances and demonstrations of fighting skills [including the Haka] performed.

We then depart Rotorua for the return to Tauranga to rejoin the ship.

If you would like a private tour following this itinerary, for groups from 1 to 100 persons, then please contact us and we will be pleased to provide a quotation for a Signature Class Tour.

Duration 9 hours
Start Time 0800hrs
End Time 1700hrs

You wil be met at the ships gangway, look out for a name board with either your group name on or TRG-16.
 
Note, if the ship arrives after 0800 then the tour will begin 30 minutes after arrival, or as soon as passengers can leave the ship
Should the ship leave earlier than 60 minutes after the tour is due to end then we may shorten the tour accordingly

You will see
Great scenery
The Hobbiton movie set
Te Puia
Geysers and Mud pools
The Kiwi Bird
Rotorua City and lake

What's Included
Comfortable transport
Experienced guide
Tour at Hobbiton
Te Puia entry
Maori Cultural performance

General Info
This tour includes walking, with some inclines and steps on unmade paths

Meals
Lunch is included

Conditions
This tour requires a minimum of 6 persons to operate. The tour will run with less at the following rates
5 persons, $349.00 PP
4 persons, $399.00 PP

The group size will not exceed 24 

Please see our Shore Trips Booking Terms & Conditions


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