Hobbiton & Sanctuary Mountain Tour

A pleasant drive south over the Bombay Hills into the rich dairy farmland of the Waikato and beside the Waikato River before arriving in Cambridge, billed as our most English like town. With its stately oak trees, village green and historic St Andrew’s Anglican Church 1881.

A morning tea/coffee break is taken here. Then it's a short drive to lake Karapiro and the hydro-electric power station on the Waikato River for a photo stop, before crossing over the dam. The majestic 797m Mt Maungatautari (Sanctuary Mountain) looms in the background. A mainland ecological island created by a 47km pest proof fence, the largest of its type in the world. Join an informative 1½ hour guided tour about many of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered plants, insects, birds, fish, geckos, frogs, bats and flora that co-exist in this spectacular environment, on one of the many well maintained tracks to the 16m viewing tower.

A short 35min drive through scenic rural back roads to our lunch stop in Cambridge, billed as our most English like town, with its stately oak trees, village green and historic St Andrew’s Church 1881.

After lunch it's just a short 35min drive to Hobbiton. On arrival your local guide will escort you around the movie set, containing 44 hobbit holes, Bilbo’s house, Bag End (Bilbo & Frodo Baggins home), the Mill and the double arch bridge and party tree. The tour Concludes at the Green Dragon, where you can enjoy a complimentary beer, cider or non alcoholic ginger beer, while soaking in the atmosphere. The drive back to Auckland, takes you past the city of Hamilton and past the sacred Maori burial ground of Mt Taupiri.

Highlights & Inclusions:
• Lake Karapiro
• Sanctuary Mountain & Guided Tour
• Lunch
• Hobbiton

Departure information:
Departs Auckland 7.00am