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Top things to do in Waitomo

Hobbiton and Lord of the Rings Movie Set Tour
Spring deal
Tours • From Hamilton

Hobbiton and Lord of the Rings Movie Set Tour

Book now for tomorrow
Hotel pick-up
Private tour
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.7 (3,249) • 80K+ booked
€ 67.35
20 off
Sale
Hobbiton & Waitomo Tour with Picnic Lunch from Auckland
Spring deal
Tours • From Auckland

Hobbiton & Waitomo Tour with Picnic Lunch from Auckland

Book now for tomorrow
Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (409) • 7K+ booked
From € 174.09
20 off
Sale
Klook Pass New Zealand
Attraction passes • Paraparaumu

Klook Pass New Zealand

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (190) • 7K+ booked
€ 139.65
€ 188.20
Klook exclusive
Auckland to Rotorua: Hobbiton & Waitomo Tour with Picnic Lunch
Spring deal
Klook's choice
Tours • From Auckland

Auckland to Rotorua: Hobbiton & Waitomo Tour with Picnic Lunch

Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (31) • 800+ booked
From € 174.09
20 off
Sale
Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small Group Experience with Lunch
Tours • From Auckland

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small Group Experience with Lunch

Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.9 (162) • 2K+ booked
From € 188.70
Waitomo Glowworm Caves Boat Tour
Tours • From Auckland

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Boat Tour

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.8 (4) • 100+ booked
€ 138.95
Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour
Tours • From Auckland, Rotorua District

Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour

Book now for tomorrow
Small group
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.8 (6) • 200+ booked
From € 134.45
Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm and Cave Explorer Small Group Tour
Tours • From Auckland

Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm and Cave Explorer Small Group Tour

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (8) • 100+ booked
€ 161.85
Off the Beaten Track Glowworm Cave Tour - Down to Earth Waitomo
Tours • From Waikato

Off the Beaten Track Glowworm Cave Tour - Down to Earth Waitomo

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 5.0 (37) • 700+ booked
€ 109.05
Waitomo Caves & Te Puia Rotorua Small Group Day Tour
Tours • From Auckland

Waitomo Caves & Te Puia Rotorua Small Group Day Tour

Hotel pick-up
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.7 (106) • 1K+ booked
From € 203.65
Waitomo Caves, Blue Springs and Kiwi House Small Group Tour
Tours • From Auckland

Waitomo Caves, Blue Springs and Kiwi House Small Group Tour

Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 5.0 (5) • 100+ booked
€ 174.29
 Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton & Waitomo (One-Way) Small Group Tour
Tours • From Auckland

Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton & Waitomo (One-Way) Small Group Tour

English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
50+ booked
€ 223.55

Hotels in Waitomo

Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park
Hotels • Waitomo

Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park

Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (326)
From € 61.63
Glowworm Motel
Hotels • Waitomo

Glowworm Motel

Instant confirmation
★ 4.0 (132)
From € 62.29
Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge
Hotels • Waitomo

Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge

Instant confirmation
★ 4.7 (500)
From € 80.63
Waitomo Lodge
Hotels • Waitomo

Waitomo Lodge

Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (170)
From € 62.69
Woodlyn Park
Hotels • Waitomo

Woodlyn Park

Instant confirmation
★ 4.2 (265)
From € 104.28
Waitomo Village Chalets Home of Kiwipaka
Hotels • Waitomo

Waitomo Village Chalets Home of Kiwipaka

Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (278)
From € 49.48
Waitomo Orchard Estate B&B
Hotels • Waitomo

Waitomo Orchard Estate B&B

Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (440)
From € 47.43
Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery
Hotels • Waitomo

Fat Owl Motel, Bar & Eatery

Instant confirmation
★ 4.3 (168)
From € 42.79
Te Tiro Accommodation
Hotels • Waitomo

Te Tiro Accommodation

Instant confirmation
★ 4.9 (42)
From € 118.49

Reviews of Waitomo activities

Aiko ********************
2026-05-31 09:01:03
Fantastic 5.0
The tour was well organized, informative, and enjoyable from start to finish. It was fascinating to learn about the history and behind-the-scenes details of the set. The scenery was stunning, and there were plenty of opportunities to take memorable photos. The comfortable luxury van made the journey relaxing and pleasant, allowing us to sit back and take in the beautiful scenery along the way.
Jodie ***
2026-06-21 22:45:50
Fantastic 5.0
A very lovely experience on the whole! Loved both the Waitomo Caves tour and the Hobbiton Movie set tour. All the guides were very clear and professional in their explanation, with drops of humour. Rachel the bus driver and main guide was also very reassuring, responsible and clear in instructions. we saw many lovely free range sheeps and cows along the way. very valuable for money. the coach bus was also comfortable!
Eis *******
2026-01-13 21:28:22
Fantastic 5.0
It was magical Hobbiton Movie Set and the Glow Worm Caves. Great day tour! Great lunch too. Kudos to our guide Richard even though his new, He tried his best to make it memorable for us. Highly Recommended tour with Cheeky Kiwi Tours.
rei ******
2026-04-01 16:37:29
Fantastic 5.0
This is a review from someone who has never watched The Lord of the Rings. Overall, the tour was efficient, enjoyable, and very smooth from start to finish. The bus stop near the Sky Tower was easy to find, and the staff kindly helped me when I asked. I had accidentally booked a one-way ticket, but they informed me in advance so I could change it to a round trip — something to keep in mind! Our driver, Todd, was funny, engaging, and very kind. At the Waitomo Caves, the guide explains everything as you walk through. The main highlight, the boat ride, is a no-photo area, but you can purchase a composite photo afterward. The Hobbiton tour lasts about two hours, with plenty of time to take photos without rushing. Even without knowing the movie, I still enjoyed the beautiful, storybook-like scenery. My husband, who is a fan, said it was the highlight of our New Zealand trip. It was a full and very satisfying day — definitely worth the price!
Klook User
2026-02-09 02:22:12
Fantastic 5.0
It was a great day. Hobbiton was whimsical and detailed with a delicious lunch, Waitomo caves were beautiful, and the drive from Waitomo back to Rotorua was an experience of it self with breathtaking views
Klook用戶
2026-01-17 11:57:39
Fantastic 5.0
Both of the main attractions, the Glowworm Caves and the Geothermal Valley, were better than some of the Australian attractions I visited last year, and were of a higher quality and more distinctive. The driver, Mike, was very proactive and had an in-depth knowledge of the Maori people. In addition to driving, he also led the work of the tour guide and team leader, and gave a detailed account of Maori history along the way, which made the long journey of several hours less boring. Although there was WiFi available on the bus, I only had the opportunity to ask the driver for the password after getting on the bus and stopping for a short break. It would be better if the driver could proactively tell everyone the password before departure.
Wu ***
2026-06-04 10:01:12
Fantastic 5.0
Our tour guide, Adil, was very professional and friendly. He shared New Zealand's history, animals, food, and some interesting stories. He also gave us very helpful advice at each attraction, which was truly wonderful! Hobbiton was my favorite part of the North Island tour; even if you haven't seen the movies, you definitely won't regret coming here. It's absolutely beautiful.
Chang *****
2026-05-02 08:06:00
Fantastic 5.0
Due to insufficient participants for the Kiwi House tour, it was changed to a caves-only visit. The driver was very friendly and attentive to the elderly, and also offered travel advice for those visiting other parts of New Zealand. This tour visits two caves. In the first cave, we took a small boat, and the number of glowworms was incredibly abundant and spectacular. The guide's photography skills were excellent, capturing great photos even in the dark cave. The second cave had fewer glowworms and focused mainly on viewing stalactites.
Klook User
2026-01-13 06:33:57
Fantastic 5.0
the journey is very very exciting and little bit challenging as we climb through the rocks to reach the gloworms habitats, and it’s totally worth it! The guide is super funny and helpful as well!

Waitomo at a glance

When is the busiest time for Waitomo activities?

Book earlier for peak months

Busier than usual Quieter than usual
+300%
+200%
+100%
Typical
-100%
+137%
Jan
-63%
Feb
-48%
Mar
-60%
Apr
-60%
May
-46%
Jun
-66%
Jul
-74% Quietest
Aug
-49%
Sep
-61%
Oct
+157%
Nov
Busiest +211%
Dec

Demand peaks in December, with bookings roughly +211% versus a typical month, while August is much quieter (about 74% below). Travellers from Australia should book early for December peaks; August offers easier availability and fewer crowds. Based on Klook historical booking data.

When is Waitomo cheapest?

Find months that fit your budget. Prices in USD.

$300
$250
$200
$150
$100
Avg $186 Priciest $251 Cheapest $134
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Activities are typically cheapest in May at around USD 134, roughly 47% below the priciest month in February; this cheaper May also aligns with the quieter August demand window so you may find lower prices outside peak season. Based on Klook booking data, July 2025 – June 2026.

How far ahead should you book?

Plan ahead so you don’t miss out

5 daysLast-minute
18 daysTypical
52 daysEarly

Most travellers book about 18 days ahead, which suggests moderate planning lead time; with demand surging in December, travellers from Australia should consider booking earlier than usual to secure slots. Based on Klook booking data, February 2026 – July 2026.

Quick facts about Waitomo

General info
  • Time zone

    No time difference

  • Currency

    1EUR = 2.01NZD

  • Official languages

  • Best time to visit

    Summer months offer warm weather and cave exploration.

  • Recommended trip duration

What to know before visiting Waitomo

Quick snapshot of Waitomo Caves and what draws visitors

Waitomo Caves is best known for its tours and water activities, with guided cave tours making up the bulk of bookings. Demand varies through the year, with a strong spike around the end of the year and much quieter months in winter.

When to visit for costs and crowds

Klook booking data show December as the busiest month and August as the quietest. Prices drift across the year: they’re typically highest around February and drop to their lowest around May, with a notable spike again at the end of the year. For lower prices and smaller crowds, aim for May through August; if you want the peak-season atmosphere and the liveliest experience, December is the month to pick. In some months demand and prices move together (December sees both high demand and higher prices), while other months show divergence — for example, February has one of the priciest price points even though the biggest demand peak is in December.

Tips for travellers from Australia

Most travellers from Australia tend to book a few weeks ahead: the typical lead time is around 18 days, with many last-minute bookings within about five days and some travellers booking as early as seven weeks out. If you’re planning a short trip, you can often book tours a little in advance and still find availability; if you’re travelling in December, consider locking in key tours earlier to secure preferred times. Use Klook to compare tour types and timings so you can balance crowd levels and price.

FAQs about Waitomo

When is the best time to visit Waitomo Caves?

When is the cheapest time to visit Waitomo Caves?

How far ahead should I book activities for Waitomo Caves?

How much do activities in Waitomo Caves typically cost?

What is Waitomo Caves best known for on Klook?