AUCKLAND CAVE TOURS

The 15 Auckland Cave Tours That Earn the Descent

37 tours  ·  from $19 a head

Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 auckland cave tours justify the slot, priced and timed, with the stairs, the temperature and the wet bits stated plainly.

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch - Crossing the Hauraki Plains to Matamata
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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch

1.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,677 reviews · from $229Our pick

Leave Auckland at 6:30 a.m. with a local guide such as Shelley, Liam, Martin, or Matt. Tour Hobbiton’s movie set, enjoy a café lunch and Green Dragon drink, then glide beneath Waitomo’s glowworms before returning through Waikato countryside.

“Excellent experience would recommend for everyone but do play on walking a lot. Not good for the walking challenged.”

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From Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch - The early start and scenic road south
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From Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch

2.From Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,505 reviews · 11 hours · from $221

Travel from Auckland in a small group of up to 14 for Hobbiton’s 2.5-hour movie-set tour and a 45-minute boat ride beneath Waitomo’s glowworms. A local guide such as Danny, Shelley, or Stephen handles the long day, scenic stops, lunch, and commentary.

“Really fun and a great value!! The glow worm caves were so peaceful and beautiful!!!!”

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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland - The early Auckland departure
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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland

3.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,117 reviews · from $235

Leave Auckland at 6:00 am for Hobbiton’s detailed movie set and a guided boat ride through Waitomo’s glowworm caves. Cheeky Kiwi guides such as Timmy, Pearl, Simon, and Grant add local stories, snacks, and scenic stops. Lunch, entry fees, and Auckland pickup are included.

“Even though the weather was terrible, this tour was well worth it. Also, combining the glow worms with Hobbiton works very well for a tour from Auckland.”

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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch - Waitomo’s glowworms in a quiet underground world
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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch

4.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 796 reviews · from $271

Leave Auckland at 7:45 am for Waitomo’s glowworm-lit caverns and Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata. Expect about 12 hours on the road, a 48-person maximum, a picnic lunch, and commentary from guides such as David, Rachel, Nicky, and Em.

“David was our tour guide! Very kind, informative, and funny! The caves were stunning, and I had a blast at Hobbiton! I would definitely recommend this trip!”

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From Auckland: Waitomo & Hobbiton Bus Tour with Lunch - Waitomo Glowworm Caves and the boat beneath the lights
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From Auckland: Waitomo & Hobbiton Bus Tour with Lunch

5.From Auckland: Waitomo & Hobbiton Bus Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 789 reviews · 11h 30m · from $261

Travel from Auckland by premium coach to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Hobbiton. Expect guided cave and movie-set tours, a picnic lunch, Wi-Fi, and lively commentary from driver-guides such as Rachel, Dave, Kenny, and Nicki.

“This tour was very fun! Our bus driver Rachel was very informative and made the drive go by fast. The glowworm caves were very cool to see and our host Cody was great! Hobiton was the star of the show! Such a cool tour and our guide Keith was great there! Overall a great tour and would highly recommend!”

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Waitomo Caves & Rotorua - Te Puia Small-Group Tour from Auckland - Te Puia brings together geysers and Māori culture
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Waitomo Caves & Rotorua – Te Puia Small-Group Tour from Auckland

6.Waitomo Caves & Rotorua – Te Puia Small-Group Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 681 reviews · from $253

This small-group day tour links Waitomo’s glowworm caves with Rotorua’s Te Puia geothermal and Māori cultural centre. You’ll travel in a group of up to 15, with hotel pickup, entry tickets, snacks, water, and guides such as Ben, Matt, Simon, or Grant sharing stories along the way.

“The tour was great, our driver did an amazing job. He was very attentive to our needs. And taught us all about new zealand thank you for all the hospitality your tour ❤️ group provides”

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Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour & Lunch - Hobbiton’s 12-acre movie set
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Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour & Lunch

7.Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 607 reviews · 13 hours · from $226

Spend 13 hours with Cheeky Kiwi Travel visiting Hobbiton and Waitomo from Auckland. Expect a maximum 16-person minibus, a 2.5-hour Hobbiton tour, a Green Dragon drink, lunch, scenic Waikato stops, and a silent boat ride beneath thousands of glowworms.

“The Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves trip was absolutely fantastic; a perfect blend of fun and learning. It was definitely time well spent. A big shoutout to our guide, Aled, who made the experience even better with his knowledge of New Zealand and the places we visited. He kept us engaged throughout the journey, was incredibly friendly, and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. Thank you, Aled!”

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Hobbiton Movie set & Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour From Auckland - Walking through Hobbiton’s movie village
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Hobbiton Movie set & Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour From Auckland

8.Hobbiton Movie set & Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour From Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 556 reviews · from $279

Leave Auckland at 6:00 am for Hobbiton’s film set and the Green Dragon Inn, then continue to Waitomo for a guided cave walk and underground boat ride. Small groups of up to 19 travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi, bottled water, snacks, and commentary from guides such as Adil, Andy, Dave, or Raymond.

“I had a wonderful experience on this experience. My driver was very knowledgeable on the activities and New Zealand in general. I learned a lot during my day and Adil made sure to go above and beyond to make this a memorable experience.”

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From Auckland or Rotorua: Hobbiton & Waitomo Tour with Lunch - Hobbiton begins at the Shire’s Rest
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From Auckland or Rotorua: Hobbiton & Waitomo Tour with Lunch

9.From Auckland or Rotorua: Hobbiton & Waitomo Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 281 reviews · 11 - 13 hours · from $286

Travel in a small group of up to 12 with guides such as Peter, Michael, or Herms, visit Hobbiton with a buffet lunch, then take a silent boat ride beneath Waitomo’s glowworms. Central Auckland pickup is included, and one-way trips between Auckland and Rotorua can turn the tour into a useful transfer.

“This excursion was better than we could’ve asked for! Pete was a great guide as he took the time to get to know our group and was very helpful as we went through the stops. He brought a wonderful vibe to the day! Hobbiton and the Glow Worms caves are both must-see attractions, especially if you enjoy the history that went into both places. The pace was good and it was nice to be able to jump back on the shuttle, took away the hassle of driving or parking. We were able to just enjoy the scenery of the beautiful countryside. Would highly recommend!”

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Small-Group Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Tour with Lunch from Auckland - Hobbiton: a set built for close-up detail
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Small-Group Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Tour with Lunch from Auckland

10.Small-Group Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Tour with Lunch from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 237 reviews · from $316

Travel from Auckland in a group of no more than 13 to explore Hobbiton with a local set guide, enjoy a buffet lunch and drink at the Green Dragon, then cruise Waitomo’s glow-worm grotto. Drivers such as Wayne, Damien, Milton, Murray, and Kelly add local stories along the road.

“Chris was really good tour guide. Also thanks to him, it was a very pleasant, fun, and interesting day.”

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Auckland: Waitomo Caves & Rotorua - Te Puia Small-Group Tour - The road south through Waikato
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Auckland: Waitomo Caves & Rotorua – Te Puia Small-Group Tour

11.Auckland: Waitomo Caves & Rotorua – Te Puia Small-Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 223 reviews · 13 hours · from $244

Travel from Auckland by air-conditioned minibus to Waitomo’s limestone caves and glowworm grotto, then continue to Te Puia for geysers, Māori arts, a kiwi encounter, and cultural stories. Guides such as Liam, John, Ben, and Matt add commentary, snacks, and care to this very full day.

“Our trip to Waitomo Caves was terrific! John was a fabulous guide and driver. He added much fun to time in the van with interactive chat and great music. The caves were unbelievable! The sulphuric springs were amazing! Highly recommend this tour.”

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From Auckland: Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Tour with Lunch - The Green Dragon and a generous Hobbiton lunch
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From Auckland: Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Tour with Lunch

12.From Auckland: Hobbiton and Waitomo Day Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 126 reviews · 12 hours · from $304

Travel in a small group from Auckland to Hobbiton and Waitomo. Walk among 44 hobbit holes, enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon, eat a full buffet lunch, then glide beneath Waitomo’s glow worms. Guides such as Damian, Wayne, Murray, and Kelly are known for warm humor and strong local insight.

“Well organised tour, learned so much about NZ - tour guide was excellent- lunch was delicious - highly recommend”

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Auckland: Spellbound Glowworm Caves Explorer Tour - The Auckland pickup and the long road south
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Auckland: Spellbound Glowworm Caves Explorer Tour

13.Auckland: Spellbound Glowworm Caves Explorer Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 115 reviews · 9 hours · from $194

Travel from Auckland to Spellbound Glowworm Caves in a small group of up to 11. Walk through two caves, learn from guides such as Hop, Ross, or Doug, then glide beneath thousands of glowworms by boat. Allow nine hours, wear warm shoes, and bring money for lunch in Otorohanga.

“JJ was absolutely amazing, a very sweet and polite man. He shared a lot of interesting information about NZ with us along the journey, he prepared some water and different snacks for us, made stops on the way for us to have some breaks during the drive, he just does everything to make your experience better. He even stopped at a farm, so we could feed some ostrich from our hands - and he took some great photos of it.”

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Auckland: Inner-City Glowworm Experience in Ancient Volcano - Following the stream through ancient volcanic terrain
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Auckland: Inner-City Glowworm Experience in Ancient Volcano

14.Auckland: Inner-City Glowworm Experience in Ancient Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 109 reviews · 1 hour · from $35

Walk 1.3km through Auckland Domain’s ancient Pukekawa volcano with a guide such as Marius, Millie, Caleb, or Jonti. You’ll see glowworms beside a stream and waterfall, learn about their life cycle, and take non-flash photos. Expect darkness, roots, gravel, steps, and possible mud.

“Seeing the glow worms in their natural habitat was breathtaking—like stepping into a living galaxy. The tour guide Caleb struck the perfect balance between education and wonder, and the small-group setting made it feel intimate and special.”

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Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Day Trip from Auckland -Smaller Groups - Te Puia: Māori arts beside boiling earth
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Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Day Trip from Auckland -Smaller Groups

15.Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Day Trip from Auckland -Smaller Groups

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 79 reviews · from $316

Travel from Auckland to Rotorua and Waitomo in a luxury minibus for up to 15 people. Explore Te Puia, see Māori carving, weaving, geysers and kiwi, enjoy a buffet lunch, then take a boat through the glowworm caves. Guides such as Edson, Chris and Bunty add local stories along the way.

“Wonderful. Grayson was amazing tour guide/driver. He was very knowledgeable. Gave us wonderful previews of each place we stopped.”

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