Calling all Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fans! Woodlyn Park’s motto is ‘sleep in the shire’ and this quirky Hobbit Hotel in New Zealand offers fun accommodation in farmland near the popular Waitomo Caves.
Best for: Hobbit House, Titanic Ship, Express Train, Plane, Waitomo Caves, Up to 6 Guests, $$
Forget generic hotel rooms! At Woodlyn Park, you can ditch the ordinary and delve into a world of whimsy.
Here, you can slumber in a cosy hobbit house, a nostalgic train carriage, or even a plane fuselage – all lovingly converted into unique accommodation.
Imagine waking up to the sound of chirping birds and fresh Waikato country air, all from the comfort of your very own hobbit hole. Or picture yourself gazing at the stars from the window of a train carriage, reliving the romance of a bygone era.
But the quirky fun doesn’t stop there! Explore the surrounding Waitomo Caves, a wonderland glittering with glowworms. Experience the thrill of black water rafting or caving adventures. For a truly unique experience, delve into the rich Maori culture with a captivating Kiwi Culture Show.
Book your Hobbit House and Fairy Tale Escape at: Booking.com
At Woodlyn Cave Choose from Unique Stays
Each unique lodging boasts a story. Some are handbuilt from the ground up, meticulously crafted with a touch of whimsy.
Others are a fascinating twist on history, converted from 19th or 20th-century working machines – a train carriage or even a plane fuselage – into unforgettable accommodation!
Don’t expect 5 stars – it’s more like 2 to 3 stars but Woodlyn Park is worth a night or two.
Don’t let the quirky exteriors fool you! Inside each unit, you’ll find modern conveniences to ensure a comfortable stay. All accommodation boasts en-suites and comfy beds for a restful night’s sleep.
Plus, some even include a fully equipped kitchenette, perfect for whipping up meals “at home” in your unique lodging.
The Hobbit House – 2 Hobbit units to choose from with 4 bunk beds and 1 queen bed in each. Includes kitchenette.
The ‘Waitanic’ Ship – 5 multideck cabins. The Captain’s unit is in the bow, the Olympic unit is in the stern and 3 cabins are at the side of the boat.
The Bristol Freighter Plane includes 2 units – 1 is in the tail and 1 is in the cockpit. Tip: wear a warm hat at night in winter – your pillow is next to the windscreen.
The Waitanic Express Train – this stately steam carriage is converted into 1 unit for 5 guests. Includes kitchenette.
Guest Review of the Hobbit Hotel
A warm comfortable room with suitable Hobbitesque wooden furniture and hessian curtains and all the modcons us non Hobbits actually need!
The Neighbourhood
Have a walk around the farm, check out the other quirky places to stay, and visit the farm animals.
You’re only a two-minute drive from the Waitomo Caves – famous for their limestone structures and bio-luminescent glow worms.
Choose from a leisurly glow worm cave tour by boat or adrenaline-inducing blackwater rafting and abseiling down into the magical cave landscape.
In the region there are bushwalks, amazing waterfalls, bike trails, and other natural limestone cliffs and caves. Don’t miss the list of ‘choice’ Things to Do below…
Tip: Woodlyn Park also offers kiwi experience, sheep shearing shows, Kiwi Culture Show, and Billy Black Woolman.
Woodlyn Park Location
You’re 2 hours and 15 minutes from Auckland, 2 hours from Rotorua, and 1 hour from Hamilton.
The Waitomo Caves Museum and Discovery Centre is in nearby Waitomo Village (SH37).
Best Time to Visit this Hobbit Hotel New Zealand
This is a four-season accommodation option. Waitomo Cave tours and Black Water Rafting are available all year round.
Good to Know at this Hobbit Hotel in New Zealand
- Outdoor furniture, picnic area, and BBQ
- Free WIFI
- Parking on site
- Daily housekeeping
Book your stay at Woodlyn Park and embark on a whimsical adventure in the heart of New Zealand. This is a fun place in the ‘shire’ for kids young and old!
Guest Review
We couldn’t believe how beautiful the train carriage was! The interior was magical – beautifully maintained and decorated, with lovely comfortable beds and couches.
Happy Guest
Take a Video Tour of Woodlyn Park
Things to Do in Waitomo
Waitomo is famous for its caves but there are also lots of other things to do in the area and the region:
Waitomo Caves Glowworm Guided Tour – make sure you prebook to avoid queues. Some steps to get to the boat. See the tour here.
Waitomo Caves Black Water Rafting – this is exciting cave tubing. Choose from 3 hours of tubing which includes jumping over a waterfall or 5 hours, which includes abseiling. See the tour here.
Ruakuri Bushwalk – check out the Department of Conservation guide to the track – “Discover a forested gorge, naturally sculpted cliffs, and low limestone arches on this spectacular loop walk”.
Ruakuri Cave – This sacred cave is the largest in the area and is solar-powered. It includes rock formations and glow worms. The tour takes 75 minutes.
Footwhistle Glowworm Cave – This is a privately owned cave in the Waitomo area. See stalactites and stalagmites, glowworms in a candlelit cavern, and ancient moa bones. Includes a short bushwalk and Kawakawa tea ceremony at the end. Very knowledgeable guides. FYI: 100 steps down into the cave. See the tour here.
Opapaka Pa Walk – a lovely short country walk to this historical site. Starts 1km east of Waitomo Village in the Waitomo Adventures Carpark.
Waitomo Caves Zipline – zip and soar through native forest and limestone bluff. Book ahead.
Kiwiana Town – Otorohanga – see the Kiwiana displays in the main street. A slice of kiwi life and culture.
Waitomo Bike Trail – read more here: https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/waitomo-forest.html
Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park – Nocturnal Bird House and Aviary
Scenic Drives from Waitomo
Marakopa Falls – magnificent hidden waterfall only 29 km from Waitomo Village in Marakopa Village.
The return walk through ancient Tawa and Nikau Forest takes around 30 minutes return trip. See: https://www.waitomo.com/discover/nature/marokopa-falls
Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk – take a stroll through massive limestone arches that are all that remain of an ancient cave system. 25 km from Waitomo Village.
Map and Info: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/waitomo-area/tracks/mangapohue-natural-bridge-walk/
Piripiri Cave Walk – 29 km west of Waitomo. A short 5-minute bush walk takes you to the cave. Bring a flashlight.
Kawhia Hot Water Beach – The Coromandel isn’t the only place with a hot water beach! Ocean Beach in Kawhia also experiences this amazing phenomenon. Just over 1-hour drive from Waitomo.
The time to experience the hot water bubbling up through the sand is at low tide. Bring a spade.
Kawhia Kai Festival – every February – a celebration of Maori food and culture.
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