Auckland

Here’s a balanced review you could post: Our Northern Explorer journey was an average experience. We booked the standard seating as the Scenic Plus (VIP) option was already fully booked. The scenery was beautiful, but the onboard audio commentary could be improved, as some parts were unclear, making it difficult to fully appreciate the landmarks and views. The staff, especially the train manager, were very friendly and welcoming, which made the trip more enjoyable. The onboard food was convenient but limited in choice and mostly reheated. Overall, it was a pleasant journey, but a few improvements to the commentary and food selection would make the experience much better.

The Rangitoto ferry from downtown Auckland is quick (about 25 minutes) but packed with great views. The crew was helpful, pointing out landmarks like the harbour bridge and Devonport along the way. The boat is clean and stable, with plenty of outdoor deck space for photos. Once you arrive, the island’s rugged lava fields and the summit track await – the ferry times are well spaced, giving you a solid 4–5 hours to explore. My only minor suggestion: arrive early, as the return queue can get long on sunny weekends. Also, bring water and sunscreen; there’s no shop on the island. Overall, a smooth, reliable service that gets you to one of Auckland’s best day trips.

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.

My family and I had a great time exploring the hobbiton Movie Set. David the driver/guide is super friendly and humorous. Buffet lunch was great! Overall experience is fantastic!

The Greatsites bus driver/guide, Anthony, was hospitable, knowledgeable, accommodating,very kind and entertaining;he goes the extra mile;helped us bring our souvenirs back to the bus before the Hobbit tour started because we did not have time to go. We made another toilet break on the way back to Auckland,which was helpful. Anthony always had a smile on his face;made sure we were all safe, and looked after each other.Anthony is quite an asset to have. Thank you for the pleasant day Anthony. WAITOMO caves:the tour guide was very knowledgeable funny and helpful friendly.We felt the history of the place. It was like being in the movie Avatar with the cute glow worms shining their natural glow around us. HOBITTON: The set is wonderfully made. This was my wife’s anniversary present because I love LOTR so so much. The feeling was surreal. The tour guide helpful and knowledgeable. I wish we had more time overall. but we did have a large group also. Highly recommended tour.

This tour exceeded my expectations - Alan was very knowledgeable, passionate and thoughtful, ensuring that we got the best shots and were well taken care of. Most importantly, he was a super careful and safe driver, which is so rare for such long drives. Thank you!

The driver served as a guide and provided transportation to our hotel. Upon arrival at the movie set, they also handled ticket arrangements, allowing us to enjoy the cafes and shopping.

Brad was an excellent guide. I often get stomach aches and motion sickness, but he made sure to have regular restroom breaks, and his driving was smooth with no sudden stops, which made me feel very comfortable. Of course, the scenery, the Hobbiton tour, and the glowworm tour were all wonderful. Even though I'm not very good at English, it was a small group tour, so everyone was friendly, and I had a great time.

Our Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves, and Flexi Tours experience was absolutely amazing! Hobbiton truly felt like stepping into Middle-earth, with stunning scenery and incredible attention to detail. The glowworms in the Waitomo Caves were breathtaking, and our guide, Cuppa Tea, was informative, entertaining, and even treated us to a beautiful song. Bunty from Flexi Tours made our journey even more enjoyable with his friendly personality, fascinating insights about New Zealand, and a bonus stop at a beautiful hanging bridge. Our group of four felt safe, well looked after, and had an unforgettable trip. Highly recommend these experiences to anyone visiting New Zealand! 🇦🇺