Auckland to Matamata and Volcanic Hills: Private day trip
Private tour with a local expert
11hRound tripPrivate group
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About your trip
Live out your hobbit dreams, then swirl local vintages against a magnificent volcanic backdrop. This is an epic Kiwi combo for the senses!
Exclusively yours: A premium experience for your group only
Insider insight: Local tips and stories you wonāt find online
Perfect balance: Expert guidance with freedom to explore
Ideal for all travelers: Families, friends, or solo adventurers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet your guide right where you prefer in Auckland whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your guide is both your expert behind the wheel and knowledgeable host throughout the day. Theyāll manage the dayās itinerary, share stories and local knowledge, and make each moment along the route feel richer. At every stop, theyāre by your side.Guided experience with space to explore
After arriving in Matamata, you'll have the freedom to explore the Hobbiton Movie Set before continuing on to Volcanic Hills Winery, where you can enjoy lakeside wine tasting, all at your leisure. Meanwhile your driver will wait for you nearby, ensuring a stress-free return trip.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Private professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Attraction admission details specified in the itinerary section below
- Official guided tours inside attractions in Matamata and Volcanic Hills Winery can be purchased separately - inform us in advance for itinerary planning
From ā¬346
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotalā¬1,038
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Auckland
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Matamata
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 3 hours - admission not included




2
Volcanic Hills Winery
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 2 h 30 min - admission not included






Back to Auckland
Weāll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7
Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.
Know more about your day trip
The full round-trip journey takes approximately 11 hours, including about 3 hours in Matamata and 2.5 hours at Volcanic Hills Winery. The drive from Auckland to Matamata typically takes around 2 hours, and from Matamata to the winery in Rotorua is about 1 hour. The return trip from Rotorua to Auckland takes approximately 3 hours.
Matamata is best known for the Hobbiton Movie Set, where you can take a guided tour of the iconic filming location from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies. The tour includes exploring the Shire, visiting hobbit holes, and enjoying a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. It's advisable to book your Hobbiton tour in advance, as it is not included in the Daytrip service.
Volcanic Hills Winery, located in Rotorua, offers wine tastings with panoramic views of Lake Rotorua. You can sample a variety of New Zealand wines while enjoying the scenic backdrop. The winery is situated at the top of the Skyline Rotorua gondola, so you can also experience a gondola ride as part of your visit.
No, entry tickets to the Hobbiton Movie Set and wine tastings at Volcanic Hills Winery are not included in the Daytrip service. It's recommended to purchase these tickets separately and in advance to ensure availability and avoid disappointment.
Yes, this private day trip is suitable for families. Children often enjoy the Hobbiton Movie Set tour, and the winery offers a relaxed atmosphere. However, please note that wine tastings are for adults, and children should be supervised during the winery visit.
It's advisable to bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a camera to capture the scenic views. Since meals are not included, consider bringing snacks or planning meal stops along the way. Also, ensure you have your pre-purchased tickets for Hobbiton and the winery.
Yes! One of the best parts of wine tastings is selecting the bottle that will become your new favorite. Ask your driver and consider the space in the car before purchasing more than a few bottles of wine. For large cases, Volcanic Hills also offers shipping to your home country.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.Day trips offer travelers private round-trip transportation to popular sightseeing locations. One of our professional drivers will pick you up in a luxurious, climate-controlled car, take you to the site of interest, and wait for you while you explore before driving you back to your hotel.
Yes! Youāre free to choose the pickup and drop-off times that work best for you. However, the time spent at the destination is fixed and cannot be changed.
Each sightseeing stop has a recommended duration that includes plenty of time to explore. However, it is possible to customize the time spent at each sightseeing stop at a later stage in the booking process to best fit your unique schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will wait for you nearby for the duration of your exploration, meaning youāll never have to wait for your return trip transportation to arrive. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we aim to close out your day trip with a return on your schedule.
The price of a day trip does not include any entrance tickets, guided tours, or meals you may partake in at your destination. The price covers round-trip transportation in a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who can provide local insights en route.
Day trip bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before your trip for a full refund, no strings attached. While the destination and stops are predetermined, it is possible to change your pick-up point, whether it is at your hotel or some other location within the city.
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