10 Day New Zealand Middle Earth Private Guided Tour

Explore New Zealand with one of our fantastic New Zealand private tours, personalised to suit your group. Our New Zealand Middle Earth tour is hosted by one of New Zealand’s leading tour guides. Your guide will meet your group at the airport and chauffeur your group to explore the destinations and activities included in your personalised tour package. They will tend to your needs and share valuable local knowledge with your group to enhance your holiday experience. We can cater for groups between 1-40 people.

Our private guided tour packages are flexible and are booked to suit your group’s travel dates and interests.

Read on for full details on the 10 Day Privately Guided New Zealand Middle Earth Tour.

10 Day Privately Guided New Zealand Middle Earth Tour

Day 1 Arrive Auckland

Arrive in Auckland – the “City of Sails” is New Zealand’s largest city and is bordered by two stunning harbours. Your tour guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your Auckland City accommodation.

This afternoon, explore Auckland with your guide. Auckland Museum offers a great introduction to New Zealand. With internationally significant Māori and Pacific collections to explore, the Auckland Museum is a must-see place to experience our rich culture.

If you would like to get straight into nature; skipper an America’s Cup Yacht, experience Whale Watching or hike an Ancient Volcanic Cone. You also have the option to visit top attractions such as the Sky Tower and Mt Eden’s Volcanic Crater.

Stay 1 night in Auckland City.

Day 2 Hobbiton Movie Set Tour > Rotorua

Travel time Auckland to Matamata – 2 hours

Travel to Matamata today to discover the real Middle-earth on the most picturesque private farmland near Matamata to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings film trilogy in a fascinating two-hour guided tour. The set has been rebuilt and will remain as it was seen in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. There are spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges from the rolling green hills of the movie set, which is still a working sheep and beef farm. You can relax and soak up the unique atmosphere with a great cup of coffee or a light meal in The Shires Rest Café.

Travel time Matamata to Rotorua – 1 hour

Enjoy the scenic journey to Rotorua, distinguished by Māori culture and geothermal activity. This diverse city will put on a display as you encounter geysers, mud pools, steaming craters and 16 beautiful lakes.

Stay in a Hobbit Hole New Zealand

Stay in a Hobbit Hole New Zealand. If staying in a Hobbit Hole, Hobbit Hole House or Hobbit Hotel is on your bucket list, we can arrange this for you. We often get asked whether you can rent a Hobbit Hole in New Zealand! There are two properties in New Zealand that offer this experience, Underhill offer hobbit-style accommodation hand crafted with rustic native timbers and ironwork and caters for couples. Huge timber doors open wide to overlook a picturesque pond and farmland beyond. Woodlyn Park offers a Hobbit Motel offering two motels beamed beneath a hill where sheep and donkey wander for grazing. From the exterior, these units look like a perfect Hobbit Hotel. In total, each motel can sleep up to 6 people making it ideal for families. Ask us to include your very own stay in a Hobbit Hole New Zealand!

Stay 2 nights in Rotorua. Option to incorporate a stay in a Hobbit Hole.

Day 3 Hell’s Gate + Māori Cultural Experience

The Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park is Rotorua’s most active geothermal area featuring a walkway lined with unique geothermal wonders and interactive opportunities. Experience the geothermal features with a self-guided map to show you around or join a guided tour of the reserve to learn more about the history, features and uniqueness of the geothermal area.

See bubbling mud pools, steaming craters, mineral pools, learn about New Zealand’s history and culture, and even try Māori weaving and wood carving! After this, the geothermal waters of the Hell’s Gate Sulphur Spa will rejuvenate and refresh you, as you relax and take in the surreal surroundings of the wondrous geothermal landscape.

In the evening enjoy a traditional Māori Cultural Experience including a Hangi Dinner. Hear stories and learn how Māori traditions live on today. Experience an authentic Māori welcome. Watch a challenge by the Māori warriors, a karanga (call) from the Māori women welcoming you onto the marae, and a whaikorero (welcome speech). Relax and enjoy the beautiful waiata (songs), the world renowned haka (challenge), and the elegant poi dance. Learn Māori customs including Māori musical instruments, haka and poi. The dining experience is a culinary opportunity like no other. Following dessert, you will be transported down into the valley to conclude your evening beside the awe inspiring Pohutu geyser.

Day 4 Taupo

Travel time Rotorua to Taupo – 1 hour

Enjoy a short drive south to Taupo, rich in natural beauty with attractions such as relaxing boat cruises and bungy jumping. Just north of Lake Taupo you’ll find New Zealand’s most visited attraction, the magnificent Huka Falls, where more than 220,000 litres of water thunder over the cliff face every second visit this attraction with your guide.

Activity Option: Add on a Peek at the Lake Scenic Floatplane Flight  as you take off from Taupo Bay, past Acacia Bay to Rangatira Point, viewing the crystal clear waters of Whakaipo Bay. Climb up through Mapara Valley, view red scoria quarries, then discover the headwaters of the Waikato River. Fly over the Craters of the Moon and over the Borefields of the Wairakei Power Station, followed by a circuit of the Huka Falls, over Taupo to land on the lakefront (20 minutes approx).

Stay 1 night in Taupo.

Day 5 Napier

Travel time Taupo to Napier – 2 hours

Head to the East Coast and discover Napier, the Art Deco Capital of New Zealand. Street after street of stunning and beautifully-restored Art Deco buildings have made Napier famous as one of the most complete collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. Napier is also within the country’s oldest and second–largest wine growing region, the Hawkes Bay. Napier is surrounded by picturesque vineyards and wineries.

Explore the Napier and Hastings wine region in the afternoon with your guide and visit vineyards and cellar doors at your leisure.

Stay 1 night in Napier.

Day 6 Wellington

Travel time Napier to Wellington – 4.5 hours

On your way to Wellington you may like to stop in Martinborough. Packed with colonial charm, Martinborough features over 20 wineries, most within walking distance of the quaint village square. Some of New Zealand’s best pinot noir comes from the town’s predominately family-owned vineyards, so it’s not surprising it is a key stop on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Have a lovely lunch and browse the boutiques before setting off to Wellington.

Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, has so much to offer. Set on the edge of a stunning harbour, surrounded by rolling hills, it’s a city rich in culture waiting to be explored.

From shopping and picturesque walks, to concerts, live theatre, exhibitions, festivals, Te Papa Tongarewa the Museum of New Zealand and more – Wellington has something for everyone.

Stay 2 nights in Wellington.

Day 7 Lord of the Rings Tour + Wellington

Today, join a Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour! Follow in the footsteps of Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves and Men. You will cover a lot of ground on the tour, but there is enough time to explore, recreate scenes for yourself, and work out how the movies were made. The scenery of Wellington mirrors that of Middle-earth.

You will be collected from your Wellington accommodation at 9.30 am and head for the hills. After admiring the view from the top of Mt Victoria you head into the “Outer Shire” for your first stop the Hobbit’s hideaway.

Then it’s onto the Weta Cave in Miramar where you tour the museum, before viewing a short documentary showing the film making exploits of Peter Jackson and his remarkable team. This is followed up with a fascinating ‘Window into the Workshop’ exhibition, showing film props and weaponry with the artists themselves describing how the artefacts were created. You will have lunch locally at a seaside cafe (price included), then head north into the Hutt Valley following the River Anduin and taking in the sights of Helms Deep, before stopping at the Gardens of Isengard for afternoon tea.

The final destination is Rivendell and the Legolas tree before returning to ‘Wellywood’.

Day 8 Wellington to Picton Cook Strait Ferry > Kaikoura

Sailing time Wellington to Picton – 3.5 hours
Travel time Picton to Kaikoura – 2.5 hours

It’s all about the journey today as you board the Cook Strait Ferry, which will transport you on a scenic cruise to Picton. Enjoy the coastal drive along the East Coast to Kaikoura. Drive through Marlborough, recognised internationally for its distinctive, Sauvignon Blanc. You have the option to stop at one or more cellar doors to buy some delicious Marlborough wines.

Arrive in Kaikoura, a stunning coastal township which offers a backdrop of majestic mountains. Kaikoura, being an important fishing port, is a mecca for seafood lovers. Local specialties include blue cod, paua (abalone) and of course crayfish (lobster).

Stay 1 night in Kaikoura.

Day 9 Whale Watching Scenic Flight + Hanmer Springs

Travel time Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs – 2 hours

This morning, experience a once in a lifetime opportunity with a Whale Watch Scenic Flight to view the majestic Sperm Whales off the Kaikoura Coast.

Travel on to Hanmer Springs, a year round holiday destination offering a variety of outdoor activities and of course the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. As a natural spa destination, visitors have been travelling to bathe in the rejuvenating mineral pools for over 120 years! Relax in open-air thermal pools and de-stress with spa therapies.

You might also like to add on a Jet Boating experience this afternoon where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Waiau River and Jet the entire length of Hanmer’s spectacular Gorge.

Stay 1 night in Hanmer Springs.

Day 10 Christchurch Day Out

Travel time Hanmer Springs to Christchurch – 2 hours

Travel to Christchurch today and discover the vibrant and picturesque garden city, renowned for its natural beauty, lively entertainment scene, and strong cultural heritage. With its stunning botanical gardens and tree-lined avenues, Christchurch is both a sophisticated city and beautiful place to visit.

Explore Christchurch with your guide, options include; experiencing Christchurch Tramway, Gondola, Botanic Gardens, Punting on the Avon River, visiting the International Antarctic Centre, venturing to Sumner Beach or dining and shopping at the Riverside Market.

In the evening you have the option to add dinner aboard the Christchurch Tram. The Tramway Restaurant offers curated seasonal dining combined with evening sightseeing in central Christchurch for a truly unique experience!

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Day 11 Depart Christchurch

Depart Christchurch. Your guide will personally deliver you to the airport ready for your departing flight.

Plan a New Zealand Middle Earth Tour

This New Zealand Middle Earth tour package includes a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set and the chance to spend the night in a hobbit hole.

If you wish, you also have the option to add a Wellington Lord of the Rings Tour and an Edoras Tour.

This privately guided tour package is fully customisable and open-dated. In other words, your personal travel consultant will work with you to ensure your itinerary matches exactly what you are looking for. We offer a range of alternative itineraries through our New Zealand Guided Tours brand, if you are interested in further inspiration.

Your private guide will be at your service throughout your tour, and will help with restaurant recommendations along the way. In addition, your guide will share local secrets and stories to make the most of your visit.

Contact New Zealand Travel Organiser today to begin planning the tour of a lifetime.