The short answer
- From Auckland
- About 2 to 3 hours
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days
- Book ahead
- Hobbiton Movie Set
- Best evening
- A Maori cultural show and hangi dinner
South of Auckland, the North Island turns to green hills, limestone caves and steaming geothermal valleys. Three of New Zealand's most visited sights sit close together here, making it easy to see them on a short tour or self drive.
The three highlights
| Sight | What it is | Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata | The Shire set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, on a working farm | About 2 hours, guided | Book ahead; adult tickets cost more than NZ$100 |
| Waitomo Caves | A boat ride beneath thousands of glowworms in the dark | 1 to 3 hours | Black water rafting for the adventurous |
| Rotorua | Geysers, mud pools, hot springs and Maori culture | 1 to 2 days | Stay for an evening cultural show |
Rotorua's best experiences
- Te Puia: The Pohutu geyser, mud pools and the national Maori carving and weaving schools.
- Wai-O-Tapu: The orange and green Champagne Pool and the Lady Knox Geyser, which is set off each morning.
- Whakarewarewa: A living Maori village where residents cook in the hot pools.
- Cultural evening: A welcome ceremony, haka, songs and a hangi meal cooked in the ground.
- Redwoods: A treetop walk among giant Californian redwoods, lit at night.
A two day plan
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland to Waitomo for the glowworm caves, then Hobbiton in the afternoon | Rotorua |
| 2 | Wai-O-Tapu in the morning, Te Puia, and a cultural evening | Rotorua |
| 3 | Continue to Taupo and Tongariro, or back to Auckland |
Tip: Rotorua smells of sulphur, like rotten eggs, near the geothermal areas. You stop noticing it after a few hours.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you do Hobbiton and Rotorua in one day?
Yes, on a long day tour from Auckland, but two days is far more relaxed and adds Waitomo.
Is Hobbiton worth it if I haven't seen the films?
Many visitors enjoy it anyway for the craftsmanship and gardens, but fans get the most from it.
How far is Hobbiton from Rotorua?
About an hour's drive; Matamata is between Auckland and Rotorua.
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