Travel Hobbiton before arriving in Rotorua

Suggested activities

World Famous: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

In the heart of New Zealand, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Hobbiton is located just outside of Matamata - in the heart of the lush Waikato farming region. Here you can visit such iconic Hobbit locations as Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill, and the Party Tree, with a guide sharing behind-the-scenes tales and insight into the making of the films.

Suggested Activities for Rotorua

Explore: Rotorua

Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools, and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the world’s most active volcanic regions. Geothermal landmarks aside, this city of sulphur has a rich indigenous history. Home to several prominent Māori tribes, a visit to one of the Māori Villages should be high on your agenda, as should an excursion to the Polynesian Spa for an invigorating soak in its natural mineral hot springs. Alternatively, head up the Rotorua Gondola for soaring lake views, and ride the luge at night for an extra thrill.

Culture and Food: Te Pā Tū Cultural Tour and Hangi Dinner

Journey back in time to a Pre-European lifestyle experience of customs and traditions. Enjoy the night's festivities with the people of Tamaki Maori Village as you are treated to a banquet of succulent foods cooked the traditional Māori way. Discover the Māori village as it comes alive to the sound and activities of tribal songs, dances, myths, and legends and browse throughout the largest after-hours tribal marketplace in Rotorua. Includes a hangi buffet feast that has cooked slowly underground.

Suggested activities for Rotorua

Nature: Waimangu Valley

You can explore Waimangu at your own pace on a self-guided tour. We suggest allowing 1 hour for the highlights walk, 1 hour 45 minutes for the full walk to the lake, and 3 hours 30 minutes for the walking tour and boat cruise combo. For just the boat cruise, allow 2 hours. You can choose a trail to suit your fitness level.

Nature: Nocturnal Glow-worm Tour.

After a walk through the darkness of the native forest you will be guided by the sound of running water. Towering banks will rise up around you and if you turn your flashlights off you will not be disappointed. Literally thousands of glowworms are lit up like the night sky, forming their own constellations all around you. Experience New Zealand’s wildlife by night and top this stellar evening by relaxing under the stars.

Suggested activity

Adventure: Huka Falls Jet Boat Ride

The Huka Jet is 30 minutes of pure fun and exhilaration, skimming close to cliffs, sliding past trees, feeling the adrenalin of full 360-degree spins. The excitement continues right up to the base of the foaming Huka Falls, where you get a spectacular water level view of New Zealand's most visited natural attractions.

Suggested activities for Napier

Explore: Napier and the Hawke's Bay

With its Mediterranean climate and Art Deco style, Hawke's Bay is stylish and unique. As the nation's first winemaking region, a visit to one of its 30 wineries is a must. For the true enthusiast, head out on a tour of the vines. Those into Gatsby can enjoy the chance to view prominent Art Deco landmarks on a 1930s Vintage Car Tour.

Wine and Food: Grape Escape half day Hawke's Bay Wine Tour

Join a fun-filled wine-tasting afternoon in the sun, driving through stunning scenery. Meet like-minded people and share an appreciation of this region's fantastic wine. You'll visit four to five wineries and enjoy a cheese platter on the grounds of the Ngatarawa Vineyard beside the lily pond.