Plantrip
Sign In
Home
Tools
Create Itinerary
Step-by-Step Builder
Packing List
Travel Expert
Trip Cost Estimator
Weather Expert
Deals
Guides
Pricing
About
About Plantrip
News
Partner Dispatches
Help
Travel Glossary
Sign In
Home
Auckland and Rotorua New Zealand Itinerary with Hobbiton and Waiheke Island Highlights
Make this trip your own
Create your own free, personalized itinerary in seconds — then sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version
Get new itinerary
Initializing...
0%
Cancel
Step 1 Outline Preview:
PDF
Share
Post
Copy URL
Email this itinerary to someone...
Send Email
Auckland and Rotorua New Zealand Itinerary with Hobbiton and Waiheke Island Highlights
Viewed by 93 travelers
Save This Itinerary
Share
Day 1: Auckland City Tour
Auckland, New Zealand on July 4, 2025
9:00am
Breakfast at Amano
Start your day with freshly baked pastries and coffee at Amano, a highly rated spot known for its Italian-inspired baked goods. Opens at 7:00am.
NZD20, 1h
10:00am
Sky Tower
Visit Auckland's iconic Sky Tower for panoramic city views. The observation deck is open from 9:00am to 10:00pm.
NZD32, 1h
11:30am
Mount Eden
Explore this dormant volcano and its scenic lookout with views over Auckland. Good for an outdoor walk and photo opportunities.
Free, 1h
1:00pm
Lunch at Auckland Fish Market
Enjoy fresh seafood at the lively Auckland Fish Market. Open till 3:00pm, it offers a variety of options for casual dining.
NZD30, 1h
2:30pm
Auckland Art Gallery
Discover New Zealand's leading art collection in this beautifully restored gallery. Open 10:00am to 5:00pm daily.
NZD20, 1.5h
4:30pm
Britomart
Explore this trendy waterfront precinct for shopping, cafes, and galleries, perfect for a stroll and light snacks.
Free, 1h
6:00pm
Dinner at Depot Eatery
Savor artisanal New Zealand cuisine featuring fresh local produce in a casual atmosphere. Open until 10:00pm.
NZD50, 1.5h
Find Hotels in Auckland
Day 2: Hobbiton & Rotorua
Matamata to Rotorua, New Zealand on July 5, 2025
7:30am
Breakfast at Hilton Auckland
Enjoy the hotel breakfast buffet before departure.
Included, 1h
8:30am
Drive to Hobbiton Movie Set
Travel by rental car from Auckland to Hobbiton near Matamata, approx 2h 15m drive.
Fuel cost approx NZD30, 2h 15m
1:00pm
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
Enjoy a guided tour of the Hobbiton set used in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Tour duration approx 2h. Booking confirmed.
NZD89, 2h
3:30pm
Drive to Rotorua
Continue your scenic drive to Rotorua (approximately 1 hour).
Fuel cost approx NZD15, 1h
5:00pm
Check into Quest Rotorua Central
Settle into your hotel in Rotorua for 2 nights.
Prebooked, Relax
6:30pm
Dinner at Atticus Finch
Casual dining with contemporary New Zealand dishes; popular with locals. Open till 9:30pm.
NZD40, 1.5h
Find Hotels in Matamata to Rotorua
Day 3: Rotorua Geothermal
Rotorua, New Zealand on July 6, 2025
8:00am
Breakfast at Capers Epicurean
Enjoy artisan coffee and a hearty breakfast at this well-regarded local cafe. Opens from 7:00am.
NZD25, 1h
9:30am
Visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Explore colorful geothermal landscapes and bubbling mud pools in this famous park. Open 8:00am to 5:00pm.
NZD35, 2h
12:00pm
Lunch at Fat Dog Cafe
Casual dining with fresh, locally sourced ingredients in the heart of Rotorua.
NZD30, 1h
1:30pm
Polynesian Spa
Relax in natural hot mineral pools famous for therapeutic properties. Open 8:00am to 10:00pm.
NZD35, 2h
4:00pm
Explore Rotorua lakefront and Government Gardens
Leisurely walk by Lake Rotorua and visit the historic gardens for some photography and fresh air.
Free, 1h
6:30pm
Dinner at Eat Streat
Choose from multiple restaurants along this vibrant street offering diverse cuisines.
NZD40, 1.5h
Find Hotels in Rotorua
Day 4: Rotorua to The Dome
Rotorua to The Dome, New Zealand on July 7, 2025
8:00am
Breakfast in Quest Rotorua Central
Prepare a light breakfast at your accommodation or visit a nearby cafe before check out.
NZD20, 1h
9:30am
Drive to The Dome
Travel to The Dome (estimate 2h 30m drive), using your rental car for scenic route exploration.
Fuel approx NZD40, 2h 30m
12:00pm
Check in The Dome Hotel
Relax and enjoy the unique dome architecture set amidst native bushland.
Prebooked, Relax
1:00pm
Lunch at The Dome Restaurant
Enjoy fresh, locally sourced ingredients in the Dome's in-house restaurant in a unique setting.
NZD35, 1h
2:30pm
Nature Walking and Exploration around The Dome
Take advantage of nearby walking tracks and native flora surrounding the Dome property.
Free, 2h
6:30pm
Dinner at The Dome
Enjoy a quiet dinner back at the hotel’s restaurant featuring local dishes and wine.
NZD45, 1.5h
Find Hotels in Rotorua to The Dome
Day 5: Return to Auckland, Waiheke Island
The Dome to Auckland, New Zealand on July 8, 2025
7:30am
Breakfast at The Dome
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel to fuel up before the drive to Auckland.
Included, 1h
8:30am
Drive back to Auckland
Drive approximately 3h to Auckland city, prepare for ferry to Waiheke Island.
Fuel approx NZD50, 3h
12:00pm
Lunch near Auckland ferry terminal
Grab a quick bite around Auckland ferry terminal before ferry departure.
NZD25, 1h
1:00pm
Ferry to Waiheke Island
Catch the ferry to Waiheke Island (approx 35 min ride). Ferries run frequently, check schedule in advance.
NZD42 return, 0.5h
2:00pm
Waiheke Island Wine Tour
Explore several of Waiheke's renowned vineyards for wine tasting and scenic views. Tours usually last about 3 hours.
NZD100, 3h
6:00pm
Dinner at Mudbrick Vineyard
Dine at Mudbrick Vineyard’s restaurant offering spectacular views and excellent cuisine.
NZD60, 1.5h
8:00pm
Return ferry to Auckland
Catch evening ferry back to Auckland; verify ferry times for late trips.
Included in return ticket, 0.5h
Find Hotels in The Dome to Auckland
Day 6: Auckland Aquarium & City
Auckland, New Zealand on July 9, 2025
8:00am
Breakfast at Federal Delicatessen
Enjoy an American-style breakfast in downtown Auckland, opens from 7:00am.
NZD25, 1h
9:30am
Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
Discover New Zealand's only Antarctic penguin exhibition and a wide range of marine life. Open 9:00am to 5:00pm.
NZD40, 2.5h
12:00pm
Lunch at Britomart
Enjoy diverse dining options at this refined waterfront precinct in Auckland city.
NZD35, 1h
1:30pm
Leisure time and city shopping
Explore shops and boutiques around Queen Street and Britomart or relax at a cafe.
Varies, 2h
4:00pm
Check-in Hilton Auckland
Settle back into Hilton Auckland for final stay and refresh after day excursions.
Prebooked, Relax
6:30pm
Dinner at Depot Eatery
Wrap up your trip with a final dinner at Depot Eatery enjoying local favourite dishes.
NZD50, 1.5h
Find Hotels in Auckland
0
Travel Requirements
Local Sayings
Connectivity Info
Nearby Shopping
Accepted Currency + Payment Types
Safety
Cultural Norms + Etiquette
Health + Medical Facilities
Like this trip? Make your own version.
A free, personalized itinerary in seconds — sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version
PDF
Share
Post
Copy URL
Email this itinerary to someone...
Send Email
More About Flights
Trip Packing List: 15 Days at Quinta de São Pedro (Sobreda de Caparica), Portugal — 8–22 April 2026
Packing List
Trip Packing List: Dublin, Ireland — Mar 14–21, 2026
Packing List
Itinerary created by
Plantrip Team
June 18, 2025
AI-assisted, human-reviewed
Plan Your Flights Trip
Cost Estimator
Estimate your trip budget
Packing List
Get a custom checklist
Weather Expert
Check weather & best time to go
Unlock Unlimited Trips
$2.50
/mo
Billed $30/year
Unlimited trip generations
Personalized packing lists
Extra details & local tips
Private & ad-free
Sign In to Upgrade
See all plans
Upgrade to Plus
$2.50
/mo
Billed $30/year
Unlimited trip generations
Personalized packing lists
Extra details & local tips
Private & ad-free
Sign In to Upgrade
See all plans
Sign in to save this itinerary.
Sign Up
or
Sign In
Create a Free Account
Sign up for free to keep generating itineraries!
Sign Up Free
I already have an account
Trip Locations
Share Itinerary
PDF
Share
Post
Copy URL
Email this itinerary to someone...
Send Email