Hobbiton from Aukland as a shore excursion

[CruiserFTL]

We are arriving on the Celebrity Edge on April 18th 2024. Trying to find out if this is a do able excursion. We are in port from 6AM to 4PM and would like to do a private tour for 1-3 couples so that we would not have any stragglers and can get in and get out. If this is possible, can you recommend any car services or tour operators that can help.

[beatleman]

On 12/14/2023 at 8:25 AM, CruiserFTL said:

We are arriving on the Celebrity Edge on April 18th 2024. Trying to find out if this is a do able excursion. We are in port from 6AM to 4PM and would like to do a private tour for 1-3 couples so that we would not have any stragglers and can get in and get out. If this is possible, can you recommend any car services or tour operators that can help.

Tauranga is the port you require to tour Hobbiton, and you need to book through a tour company eg. Viator or Zealander; Aukland is to distant

[Railwaylass]

On 12/13/2023 at 9:25 PM, CruiserFTL said:

We are arriving on the Celebrity Edge on April 18th 2024. Trying to find out if this is a do able excursion. We are in port from 6AM to 4PM and would like to do a private tour for 1-3 couples so that we would not have any stragglers and can get in and get out. If this is possible, can you recommend any car services or tour operators that can help.

Just wondering if you have found a tour operator to take you to Hobbiton from either Aukland or Tauranga? My cruise is pretty far in the future, April 2026, but I'm already looking around as Hobbiton is a can't be missed visit for my friend and I and apparently Princess doesn't offer one. None of the tour operators that I've researched will pick up from the ports for some reason. If you've been successful in booking I'd love to know the tour provider!

[daydreamer16]

Have you tried Viator? I see Hobbiton on their site. Auckland is too far for a shore excursion. We went to Hobbiton yesterday & it’s great especially if you’re a fan. We left from Auckland & it was about 8 hrs r/t. We board the Grand Princess on Saturday.

[Matamanoa2]

We just recently did a tour to Hobbiton with Viator out of Tauranga and it was the best tour of our cruise.  Amazing place to visit and shouldn't be missed.

[DougandEric]

I just booked through Viator for 3/2025 from Auckland before our cruise.  I didn't want to possibly miss the ship with Hobbiton being so far away.  I'd rather endure a longer bus ride than miss the ship.  Our tour includes the glow worm caves, leaves from the CBD at 6:20AM and is expected to return about 5:30PM.

[abbydancer2003]

On 5/9/2024 at 9:20 AM, DougandEric said:

I just booked through Viator for 3/2025 from Auckland before our cruise.  I didn't want to possibly miss the ship with Hobbiton being so far away.  I'd rather endure a longer bus ride than miss the ship.  Our tour includes the glow worm caves, leaves from the CBD at 6:20AM and is expected to return about 5:30PM.

I thought it was too far as well, so we're flying to Auckland before Sydney, staying for 3 days, and then heading to Sydney a week before our cruise.  We're renting a car, and I'm booking it all myself.  So far I have the dinner tour at Hobbiton, on our last full day, and the Glow Worm caves on the first full day.  We do, after Hobbiton have to drive the 2 hours back to Auckland to drop the rental car and stay at an airport hotel, but c'est la vie.  We go to Auckland again on the Edge, so will probably go to the Weta exhibit there.

 

Since the OP went last year, did they ever post what they did?

[dreams_of_travel]

10 hours ago, abbydancer2003 said:

  We go to Auckland again on the Edge, so will probably go to the Weta exhibit there.

WETA Unleashed is very interesting.  I am going back in Nov, and look forward to experiencing it again. There is so much to look at during the tour.  Enjoy! 

[madjohn]

On 3/23/2024 at 10:25 PM, Railwaylass said:

Just wondering if you have found a tour operator to take you to Hobbiton from either Aukland or Tauranga? My cruise is pretty far in the future, April 2026, but I'm already looking around as Hobbiton is a can't be missed visit for my friend and I and apparently Princess doesn't offer one. None of the tour operators that I've researched will pick up from the ports for some reason. If you've been successful in booking I'd love to know the tour provider!

Hello Railwaylass, it would appear we are on the same cruise.  Hobbiton was a place I also would like to see.  It appears to be about 2 hours from Auckland.  I don't see why a private operator could not get you there, spend a few hours and get back to ship.  We are in port about 12 hours.  All this said, I, with my wife, would be interested in the excursion if we could get it put together.

 

Don't recall you on the Roll Call, If not, join.  We may get one or two more couples.  Think keeping it a small group is the best.

 

Let me know.

 

John

[abbydancer2003]

On 3/23/2024 at 10:25 PM, Railwaylass said:

Just wondering if you have found a tour operator to take you to Hobbiton from either Aukland or Tauranga? My cruise is pretty far in the future, April 2026, but I'm already looking around as Hobbiton is a can't be missed visit for my friend and I and apparently Princess doesn't offer one. None of the tour operators that I've researched will pick up from the ports for some reason. If you've been successful in booking I'd love to know the tour provider!

I have a tour booked from Tauranga with Scott tours.  It's not Hobbiton, but they do offer Hobbiton.