Paid about NZ$350 for this, which sounds a bit punchy until you consider the Waitomo Cave would set you back $75 and Hobbiton $120 just on their own. When you break it down like that only paying $150 for being taken around for 12 hours. Also GreatSights is these attractions' biggest customer by a mile so you really get treated like VIPS, ie. there is no waiting at the attractions.
Honestly up until the night before going I was debating whether I wanted to be crammed in a big bus fully loaded with tourists for 12 hrs in peak season.
Reading Tripadvisor reviews didn’t help because I never know whether to trust reviews, particular those with hardly any reviews. Like who's this Racheal that everyone keeps talking about? Well FYI, Racheal is still around, and she is awesome if you’re lucky to get her (she works 4 days a week, only two of those on this tour).
With the best big bus tours you’re supposed to get a driver-guide, but a lot of times you get more driver than guide. With Rachael, you're getting amazing non-stop commentary the entire way to Waitomo & Hobbiton. I was amazed how she could go on non-stop.
In retrospect, some of the less positive reviews of Racheal are borne from intelligence-deficient tourists who just don't listen. Sorry to say it, but it’s true. "Rachael's Rules" include no hot foods or ice cream on the bus, because she doesn't want sticky messes or strong smells that will make others on the bus queasy. When you think about it, you can imagine how enormously difficult it is to shepherd a United Nations of tourists around and getting everyone to behave (and there are a lot of awful uncourteous people). I am amazed how Rachael kept everything in order and made sure we got back right on the dot. Kudos!
Before doing this tour I just really wanted to see Waitomo and I didn't even care to see Hobbiton, only had to go because it was packaged together. But now I think Hobbiton is a must see, and has reason to be NZ's #1 attraction, even if you don't care for the LOTR/Hobbit movies. Waitomo on the other hand, is nice... but probably like a 4 out of 5. This tour by GreatSights though, is a must-do and totally a 5/5, even as I was totally exhausted I got back to Auckland city.
The only disappoint was that when I booked this it was supposed to include a lunch at Hobbiton. They've since changed it to a takeout box catered by the Waitomo Caves cafeteria and to be eaten on the bus, and honestly that meal totally sucks.