Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - Best Day tour out of Aukland that includes Hobbiton

We (my husband and I) have two-ish (arrive 8 am Thursday leave 6 pm Saturday) days in Aukland this July. Hobbiton is my only MUST see in New Zealand- sad but true. We are staying at the Hilton and this does not look like something easily done on our own. I have found two companies that include Hobbiton in an itinerary out of Aukland. I believe that both include the same exact tour when they arrive at Hobbiton as that is done by the staff there. Both are ALL day tours.

http://www.graylinetours.co.nz/tours/6H/Hobbiton-Movie-Set-and-Farm-Tour

http://www.freewheelingnz.com/?Function=Display&Item=Hobbiton_plus_Rotorua.txt&Tour_code=GFB01P01&Month=1341256771

Given that this is sucking up a full day which of these looks like a better tour/overview of the countryside (in July!) aside from the Hobbiton portion?

If you know of another company that operates out of Aukland and does Hobbiton let me know.

The one from FreeWheelingNZ would be my pick as it includes Rotorua and some of the thermal pools which are the main attraction to that area. It seems to include a bit more than the Grayline one.

from what I'm seeing in Auckland, GrayLine seems to have newer buses than anybody else... many of the roads around New Zealand are very twisty one lane in each direction "highways" so the more comfortable the vehicle the more enjoyable your trip will be

The roads between Auckland and Rotorua are quite reasonable.

I could not access the Greyline option but if you must see Hobbiton the other one looks fine. In Rotorua when you visit Te Puia (Whakarewarewa thermal valley) choose the escorted guided tour with the meeting house Maori Show option if you have time. Enjoy your visit to NZ.

We have decided to take the Free Wheeling NZ tour. I read there is no need for tipping in New Zealand. Does that include tour guides? Sorry if this is a silly question, uninformed American here.

I read there is no need for tipping in New Zealand. Does that include tour guides?Yes it does. In general there is no tipping in NZ full stop.

The reason people tip in North America is - primarily - because wages are low (of benefit to the employer who can then charge less) and tipping makes up the employee's income. In NZ wages are not low, employers charge full price accordingly, and the cost to the customer is the same in both scenarios.

Yes it does. In general there is no tipping in NZ full stop.

The reason people tip in North America is - primarily - because wages are low (of benefit to the employer who can then charge less) and tipping makes up the employee's income. In NZ wages are not low, employers charge full price accordingly, and the cost to the customer is the same in both scenarios.

Thanks for the reply!

I wish the same were true here in the US, and those people in the service industry be paid a living wage, and have affordable/universal health care.