Popularly called the “Gateway to New Zealand” Auckland has a very easy-going and relaxed pace. Begin the Auckland to Hobbiton drive tour in New Zealand with Avis and make your holidays adventurous and exhilarating.

Auckland is built between two major harbors where you’ll find extinct volcanic cones and unique geography with stunning landscapes and seascapes. The route to Hobbiton self-drive tour will take you past major cities like Hamilton and Cambridge.

Hamilton is situated in the Waikato region and is famous for Hamilton Gardens beautified with arts from Italian Renaissance to Japanese and traditional Maori styles. Cambridge lies in the heart of rural Waikato, a spell-binding town with quaint charm and elegant tree-lined streets.

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The final stop in the Auckland to Hobbiton drive tour is the quintessential rolling hills and evergreen pastures of Hobbiton.

OVERVIEW

The route for Auckland to Hobbiton drive tour:

Auckland – Hamilton City – Cambridge – Hobbiton tours – Rotorua

Total Distance covered in the Auckland to Hobbiton drive tour: 180 Km (Approx)

Auckland to hobbiton drive time: 2 hours

Best Time to visit: All year round

Driving Rules

Essential New Zealand road rules to know

• Keep left.
• Use passing lanes when overtaking other cars.
• Always carry a valid international driver license or a translation of your foreign driver license in English.
• To drive basic model hire cars in New Zealand you must be over 21 years old.
• The speed limit on the open road is 100 kilometres per hour.
• The speed limit in Urban areas is 50 kilometres per hour.

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AUCKLAND

Source:  stuff.co.nz

The first stop in Auckland to Hobbiton drive tour is an exciting cosmopolitan city with diverse landscapes and intriguing culture with a promise of satisfying adventures. If you are drive from auckland to hobbiton for the first time be sure to check for self-drive car rental in Auckland city from Avis.

Explore this vibrant city with jet-boat thrills, sky-walking, and island adventures. You will also find world-class options for shopping, cafes and entertainment.

The nightlife is as exciting as the day when you can have great wine while dining amongst the superyachts and nightclubbing till late. The Waikato River will accompany you for much of your journey through the green countryside.

Places to visit in Auckland worthy of interest along the way include the wine growing area of Te Kauwhata and the coal mining town of Huntly. The bustling urban towns are as enjoyable as the natural vistas of Waitakere Ranges with the riveting waterfalls.

Before you head to Hamilton in the Auckland to Hobbiton drive tour, don’t skip the side roads leading to Waingaro Hot Springs and Raglan, a surf resort on the west coast.

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Hamilton City

Source: Cambridge

Going further in the Auckland to Hobbiton drive tour comes Hamilton City. This city owes it’s unique beauty to the mighty Waikato River. Some of the local attractions include gardens, museums and giant free flight aviary. A short trip down south will take you past the main Waikato farmland. Satiate yourself in a wide variety of excellent restaurants and cafes.

Among all these places to visit in Hamilton city, there is an enchanting world of secret gardens in Waikato which have won international awards for its outstanding setting. Make sure you take the world famous boat ride under thousands of magical glowworms and experience the cultural and natural history of this awe-inspiring town.

The alluring beauty of the Hamilton Gardens is extremely hard to overlook due to its visual appeal. Other city highlights include the Waikato Museum that gives an insight into the history of this region. On the other hand, Hamilton Zoo provides native birds with extreme freedom in a walk-through free-flight aviary. The Zoo also lets visitors have ‘Face2Face’ encounters with exotic animals.  Book auckland to hobbiton self drive car rental with Avis, enjoy on your own terms without timelines and deadlines.

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CAMBRIDGE

Source: nzmuseums.co.nz

Heading to the next stop in Auckland to Hobbiton drive tour in Cambridge. Cambridge has a long history of producing champions in horse racing, high-performance sport, rowing, cycling and many Olympic medallists. Situated near Lake Karapiro, this city provides thrilling adventure opportunities like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, simple boating and jet-boating downstream.

There are plentiful charming places to visit in Cambridge. The choices of trendy cafes and restaurants, attractive heritage, boutique shopping and art centres are plentiful. Spoil yourself for choice in gourmet food and artisan delights, to art galleries and designer outlets. Here you will definitely find something interesting for yourself or your companions.

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Weekly farmers market on a Saturday morning will give you a taste of the finger-licking fresh farm produce. Among the things to do in Cambridge, you can take The Tree Trail leading to the Town Square and the hidden treasure of Lake Te Koutu. Maungatautari Mountain close by is a sanctuary for native wildlife only 15 minutes drive from Cambridge and now a beautiful home for reintroduced kiwi and their newborn plus other native birds.

HOBBITON

Source: hobbitontours

With this, we reach the last stop on the Auckland to Hobbiton drive tour. Make your way south towards Hobbiton in your self-drive car, along with the rolling hills and magical movie sets all around. Here you can get a taste of the direction of “Lord of the Rings” and the “Hobbit” series. As you take the Hobbiton self-drive trip you instantly recognize the setting is the real thing and in case you don’t spot familiar bits of scenery, then the hobbit holes, gardens, village huts and the stone bridge will bring your memory back. Peer over the Hobbit’s front gate while enjoying a dance under the party tree. Then, wander through The Shire and complete the social mingling with a cold beer at The Dragon Inn.

Get a great look at the cultural performances at its best presented by the Maori tribe and relish the great taste of their cuisine at Te Puia, Mitai Village or Tamaki Village. The Hobbiton hotels are no less in setting the feel of the movie set.

Brimming with breathtaking landscapes and awe-inspiring views, the road trip from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one road trip you must not miss. Check out our blog on a road trip from Queenstown to Glenorchy here.

Side Trip from Auckland to Hobbiton Drive Tour towards Rotorua

Source: Stuff.co.nz

If you are willing to extend your Auckland to Hobbiton drive tour and breathe in more peace and calmness then take your car to the south of Rotorua where you shall find Kerosene Creek, a geothermally heated stream where a nice warm bath will do wonders for your tiredness. The city offers a raft of attractions and experiences for everyone from adventure-seekers to those just looking to unwind in bubbling mud pools, clouds of steam or natural hot springs.

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Places to Stay during Auckland to Hobbiton Drive Tour

Cordis, Auckland

83 Symonds St, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

SOURCE: Booking.com

Take your car hire in Auckland from Avis to Cordis, one of the premier addresses. It is luxurious without being pretentious, with plush rooms and all the facilities you’ll need. The most memorable aspect is the staff, who take a genuine interest in guests. There are boutiques, galleries, museums within easy reach, where you can make the most of your day. Whether you’re travelling for work, family or leisure, a stay at Cordis shall always be full of liveliness.

Applecross

Applecross Sanctuary Bed & Breakfast, 210/3 Aspin Road, Cambridge

Source: Scottish-Country-Cottages

Provides separate bedrooms with ensuite bathroom and walk-in wardrobes. A TV with kitchenette and other cooking appliances also available. Some rooms feature a lounge area and a sofa bed. You can make your own continental breakfast, and enjoy the shared swimming pool and hot tub by the large deck area. Applecross Sanctuary is central to many attractions in your Auckland to Hobbiton drive tours such as Lake Karapiro, Hobbiton of Lord Of The Rings fame, Waitomo Caves and Mystery Creek.

Buckland BnB

Buckland Road 165, 3472 Matamata, New Zealand

Source: thebuckland.com.au

Situated in Matamata, this apartment is 2.5 km from Hobbiton. It has all the facilities that a decent hotel provides like free Wi-fi, kitchenette, television etc. Mount Maunganui is 50 km from Buckland BnB. There is a seating area, a dining area and a kitchenette. A flat-screen TV with cable channels is provided. Buckland BnB features free WiFi throughout the property.

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Eateries during Auckland to Hobbiton drive tour

PARIS Butter

166 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, 1011 NZ
09 376 5597

SOURCE:  The Urban List

Paris Butter has been spearheaded by a renowned chef, Nick Honeyman and has recently been opened in Herne Bay. It is charmingly decorated and offers some of the best French food in Auckland. Some of the loved dishes include chicken and prawn ravioli in sauce bisque. The dining is completed with French dessert, crème Brulee.

Baduzzi

10-26 Jellicoe St, North Wharf, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

source: The Urban List

Baduzzi belongs to Michael Dearth and it sells Italian food done right. Casual dining has reached a whole new level at this restaurant providing sensational pasta, meatballs and many other Italian dishes. The homely feel of the interiors, to the beautiful stained glass windows and Mother Mary salt spoons, Baduzzi prepares dishes with love coming from a family, friends and unbeatable Italian cuisine.

Alpha Street Kitchen & Bar

47 Alpha St

Source: viva.co.nz

Once a National Hotel, this heritage site has now been turned into one of Waikato’s best new restaurants. Enjoy a leisurely lunch that includes smoked salmon or sophisticated spins on venison and lamb for dinner. For bar snacks, tempura oyster sliders or chorizo and potato croquettes work wonderfully.

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