Matamata

The Hobbiton Movie Set is built into the hills of a private farm in Matamata, two hours south of Aukland. You can get your tickets online, in town, or right at the set. Peter Jackson and crew spent many months right here on the farm filming and building the immaculate set for the films.It truly is incredible to see the craft that went into recreating Tolkien's Shire. You will learn all about th...

Wairere Falls is located just ten minutes from Matamata. If you're in the area for the Hobbiton tour definitely make sure to take some time to hike the falls as well. Parking is super easy at the base of the hike and there is a restroom if needed before starting the trek. Allow yourself at least 4 hours to complete the tramp.You start the hike through dense, lush rain forest and weave your way ...

There are two different ends to begin the walk. The one I suggest starts at the Leslie Road Carpark, about 20 mins from Matatmata. Though the entire 5 km track is absolutely stunning, the most popular section, being the Blue Springs, is less than a ten min walk from the lot. The Blue Springs pool is absolutely out of a fantasy world. The water running through the river is the clearest and pures...

Mount Maunganui sits right on the water in the Bay of Plenty. Half the island rests on the open ocean, where the other half rises out of the bay. Driving in to the town, it's impossible not to see this massive piece of land jutting above the flat town and ocean around it.Once you have found parking, which might take awhile, the trail starts at the end of the beach walkway along the sand. There ...

If you're exploring the little city of Mount Maunganui and got a little bit of time on your hand before climbing, well... Mount Maunganui, then take a quick peak to the top of Mount Drury Reserve! Historically, this reserve is famous for its early Maori burial caves. The climb will take an easy 5 minutes up and give you a different view of Mount Maunganui and the harbor.  You can't miss it. It'...

Mount Maunganui keeps proving that it is an incredibly family-friendly destination with its extremely well maintained path up Mount Maunganui, a massive and easy to access beach with great waves for beginners, all the food you can crave, and a little escape island. Right off the main beach you'll see this awesome island that has been connected by a man-made land bridge. This little island calle...

Legend has it, this lake was once cooler. One day, a girl named Kuiarau was bathing and then a taniwha (dragon) dragged her below the lake. Angered, the gods boiled the lake so the taniwha would never return and to this day the lake and the steamy area around it is named after her. You won't miss out on geothermal activity when you're in Rotorua because it's EVERYWHERE. Seriously, you'll get a ...

Yeah, you heard right. If you don't want to take on the world's largest commercial whitewater rafting waterfall, Tutea Falls (7m), then you can take a nice and easy walk instead! (More info on rafting at the end for the interested adrenaline junkies.) Okere Falls is 20km north of Rotorua, to the east of Lake Rotorua, and right next to Lake Rotoiti on Trout Pool road off SH 33. Shortly after you...

If you're in Rotorua and taking a chill day, definitely check out Sulphur Point in the city centre! A quick and easy walk from the carpark, Sulphur Point is on the Southern end of Lake Rotorua and is a sulfurous area that lies on top of an active geothermal field. Find small mud pools and sulphur vents in this wildlife sanctuary and refuge while getting a good sniff of the air from a mixture of...