This ANZAC day, escape the hustle and bustle of city life, avoid the holiday traffic, and hop aboard for a enjoyable day out with family and friends!
Join from Auckland (Waiuku or Pukekohe) and settle in for a relaxing day out with a complimentary hot or cold drink and snack served at your seat. We will glide past the new developments at Pokeno, and follow the expressway and Waikato River south, before heading into the northern suburbs of Hamilton.
Or join from Hamilton (Rotokauri or Frankton) and start your journey by traveling under the centre of Hamilton, through the old underground station, and bursting into the light while crossing the bridge over the Waikato River.
We then travel east in a straight line through the Ruakura Innovation Park and out towards Morrinsville. At Morrinsville we turn right, passing over the Piako River, and follow gentle curves through to the junction at Waharoa. Here we proceed straight ahead to continue down the Kinleith Line (the route of the old Rotorua line), shortly after calling at Matamata.
From here you can choose from these three options:
Join us and experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will then escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made.
You will be fully guided on a walking tour around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Holes™, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon Inn where you will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive Hobbit Southfarthing beverage before moving up to the Party Marquee, a fully themed venue where you will enjoy a buffet lunch (approximately 2pm) to conclude your Middle-earth™ adventure.
For those choosing the Hobbiton Tour and Luncheon, your bus transfer will be waiting right by the station where we take the short trip to the Hobbiton™ Movie Set.
Adult $189 - Child (2-14) $129 Ex Auckland Stations
Adult $159 - Child (2-14) $109 Ex Hamilton Stations
Before you embark on your Hobbiton™ adventure, enjoy morning tea by pre-ordering a freshly baked scone with jam and cream to accompany your complimentary refreshments (tea, coffee, water, or juice), served after departure of Hamilton.
Please note that luncheon at Hobbiton™ will not be served until approximately 2pm.
Morning Scone $6
Timetable (Train Waiuku/Pukekohe/Hamilton to Matamata, Bus Matamata to Hobbiton)
| Outward | ||
|---|---|---|
| Waiuku |
dep. | 7.35am |
| Pukekohe | dep. | 8.40am |
| Rotokauri (The Base) | dep. | 10.30am |
| Hamilton (Frankton) |
dep. | 11.00am |
| Matamata |
arr. | 12.10pm |
| Hobbiton | arr. | 12.30pm |
| Inward | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hobbiton | dep. | 3.25pm |
| Matamata | dep. | 3.45pm |
| Hamilton (Frankton) |
arr. | 4.50pm |
| Rotokauri (The Base) | arr. | 5.10pm |
| Pukekohe | arr. | 6.50pm |
| Waiuku | arr. | 7.40pm |
If you have chosen to alight at Matamata, then the town is just a stone's throw away. You'll have just under 4 hours to explore the town!
Adult $65 - Child (2-14) $45 Ex Auckland Stations
Adult $35 - Child (2-14) $20 Ex Hamilton Stations
Timetable (Train Waiuku/Pukekohe/Hamilton to Matamata)
| Outward | ||
|---|---|---|
| Waiuku |
dep. | 7.35am |
| Pukekohe | dep. | 8.40am |
| Rotokauri (The Base) | arr. | 10.30am |
| Hamilton (Frankton) |
arr. | 11.00am |
| Matamata |
arr. | 12.10pm |
| Inward | ||
|---|---|---|
| Matamata | dep. | 3.45pm |
| Hamilton (Frankton) |
dep. | 4.50pm |
| Rotokauri (The Base) | arr. | 5.10pm |
| Pukekohe | arr. | 6.50pm |
| Waiuku | arr. | 7.40pm |
For the full adventure, travel another hour down the tracks through the settlements of Hinuera, Tirau, Putaruru and Lichfield to arrive at Tokoroa. Here the carriages will stay for just over an hour while the locomotive is detached and turned at the nearby Kinleith rail terminal. You are welcome to remain onboard or go for a short (350m) walk to browse the shops or grab a bite to eat.
Adult $75 - Child (2-14) $55 Ex Auckland Stations
Adult $45 - Child (2-14) $30 Ex Hamilton Stations
Timetable (Train Waiuku/Pukekohe/Hamilton to Tokoroa)
| Outward | ||
|---|---|---|
| Waiuku |
dep. | 7.35am |
| Pukekohe | dep. | 8.40am |
| Rotokauri (The Base) | arr. | 10.30am |
| Hamilton (Frankton) |
arr. | 11.00am |
| Tokoroa |
arr. | 1.20pm |
| Inward | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tokoroa | dep. | 2.30pm |
| Hamilton (Frankton) |
dep. | 4.50pm |
| Rotokauri (The Base) | arr. | 5.10pm |
| Pukekohe | arr. | 6.50pm |
| Waiuku | arr. | 7.40pm |
Pre-order a bagged lunch pack to eat on the train or during your free time at Matamata/Tokoroa.
Includes sweet and savoury items and a bottle of water.
Your lunch pack will be delivered before arrival at Matamata.
Lunch Pack $25
COVID-19 Information
As this is a pre-booked
allocated-seating tour, face coverings are not compulsory but are
strongly encouraged. For more info see the official NZ Government
COVID-19 website.
In
the event that the NZ Government or its agencies prevent the operation
of this tour taking place due to COVID-19, refunds of fares paid (net of
outgoings made from those fares) may be made by GVR upon written
application being received from booked passengers.
Seating Information
We
aim to seat passengers from the same booking together. You will be
allocated at least one window seat for bookings of 2 or more (subject to
availability). Where possible, seats will be turned to face the
direction of travel (pairs and singles) or to face each other (groups).
If you are travelling with people on a different booking or have another
specific request then please email us as soon as possible at [email protected]
and we will try and accommodate your request the best we can. Your
allocated seat and carriage details will be on your boarding pass which
will be emailed to you at least 2-3 days before your departure date.
