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Your Locals Guide to a Lord of The Rings New Zealand Trip
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items If you are traveling to New Zealand to check out the Lord of the Rings Film set, check out my guide to other activities and local secrets near by, many of which are free! I have a personal connection to the films, when I was a child my family auditi...
Map
Sections
5
Lord Of the Rings Movie Set Tour
Activities Close to the Shire
Free Local Adventures
Road Trip Scenic Picnic Spots
Hobbit Accommodation
Lord Of the Rings Movie Set Tour
The tour of Hobbiton Movie set Tour of the Shire
This 2 hour guided trip to the shire is one of the highest rated of it's kind.
Transfers are available on booking from Auckland and Rotorua.
Your guide will also share with you how the 1250 acres of farm land was transformed into a movie set as you visit the Hobbit Holes, the Mill, the double-arched bridge, and more! It is a mind-blowing experience as you are transported into Middle Earth...
The detail and decorations on the inside of the hobbit holes is exactly as shown in the movies and feels like stepping into a fantasy!
Transfers are available on booking from Auckland and Rotorua.
Your guide will also share with you how the 1250 acres of farm land was transformed into a movie set as you visit the Hobbit Holes, the Mill, the double-arched bridge, and more! It is a mind-blowing experience as you are transported into Middle Earth...
The detail and decorations on the inside of the hobbit holes is exactly as shown in the movies and feels like stepping into a fantasy!
Hobbiton Guided Day Tour
Activities Close to the Shire
Other activities in the area to check out after your Hobbiton Tour
The Waitomo caves is a 1 hour 20 minute drive from Hobbiton film set so easily doable in the same day if you book one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
Join only 8 people on this intimate adventure and enjoy Waitomo at your own pace. You will see the famous Waitomo glowworms as well as the beautiful rock formations of the limestone cave in this tour.
Join only 8 people on this intimate adventure and enjoy Waitomo at your own pace. You will see the famous Waitomo glowworms as well as the beautiful rock formations of the limestone cave in this tour.
Waitomo Glow worm Caves Tour
The Redwoods in Rotorua is 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Hobbiton Movie Set and is a must see for outdoors and nature lovers.
The Californian Redwood trees were planted over 100 years ago and the tour through them has won many awards.
Redwoods Altitude Experience offers a breathtaking adventure through the towering Redwoods Forest of Rotorua. As you traverse the suspended walkways, you will be treated to panoramic views of the lush forest canopy and surrounding landscape. The expe...
The Californian Redwood trees were planted over 100 years ago and the tour through them has won many awards.
Redwoods Altitude Experience offers a breathtaking adventure through the towering Redwoods Forest of Rotorua. As you traverse the suspended walkways, you will be treated to panoramic views of the lush forest canopy and surrounding landscape. The expe...
Redwoods Altitude Experience
A 45 minute drive from Hobbiton Film Set, this wild life sanctuary is a great place to see some of New Zealands rarest protected birds.
There is even the option for dusk tours where you can listen to kiwi calling out.
There is even the option for dusk tours where you can listen to kiwi calling out.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Guided Walk
The private spas here are the best in the area, if you are looking for quality and a special experience, these are much better than anything else in nearby towns.
Around 50 minutes drive from the Hobbiton Movie set, these are a great activity to do after climbing mount te aroha.
Bookings are essential, if you miss out there are also public pools close by
Around 50 minutes drive from the Hobbiton Movie set, these are a great activity to do after climbing mount te aroha.
Bookings are essential, if you miss out there are also public pools close by
Te Aroha Mineral Spas
Paddle Board across a lake in a geothermal volcanic valley! My family got a free pass here after we adopted a cat caught on the reserve, we enjoyed it so much we have been back again.
Stand Up Paddle Board Adventure - Waimangu Valley
Free Local Adventures
Small Hikes and free site seeing spots
A very popular walk with breath taking views of nature! This hike is approx 30 minutes drive from Hobbiton Film Set.
The climb to the top is roughly 1-1.5 hours and the trip down usually under an hour.
This track does get busy during the middle of the day, it is best to go up in the morning before 10am. Alternatively if you are confident with a head torch on a track it is a great place to watch the sunset from the top.
The climb to the top is roughly 1-1.5 hours and the trip down usually under an hour.
This track does get busy during the middle of the day, it is best to go up in the morning before 10am. Alternatively if you are confident with a head torch on a track it is a great place to watch the sunset from the top.
Wairere Falls
This scenic walkway is located 30 minutes drive from Hobbiton Film set and is about to re-open after more than a year closure due to slip repairs. It is 100% free, a nice easy walk with beautiful views of the crystal clear waters fresh out of underground springs.
This water is used in over 70% of New Zealand's bottled water.
This does get very busy during the middle of the day and attracts roughly 50,000 visitors per year. Visit at the start or end of the day if you would like a special experience with less people.
This water is used in over 70% of New Zealand's bottled water.
This does get very busy during the middle of the day and attracts roughly 50,000 visitors per year. Visit at the start or end of the day if you would like a special experience with less people.
Te Waihou Walkway - Putaruru
20 Minutes drive from Hobbiton Movie Set this bakery is my local I visit twice a week for a morning coffee. It is the highest rated bakery in the area for good reason and by 7am there is usually a line out the door most days. If you are visiting New Zealand and want to try a famous meat pie for the first time, this is the place to try one as they are award winning. The coffee is good, the customer service and experience is amazing, and the owner Shane is super friendly.
Hours are 6am to 2pm and they are closed Monday and Tuesday.
Hours are 6am to 2pm and they are closed Monday and Tuesday.
The BAKER
If you are looking for the half day hike with the best view in the area, this is it!
50 minutes drive from Hobbiton Movie Set, this Hike starts at a Geyser by Te Aroha Domain and climbs to the top of Mt Te Aroha. The signage says 3 hours each way, most fit people would easily do it in 4 hours with a break at the top for sight seeing, eating, photos etc.
There are hotpools at the domain that are worth checking out after your hike too!
50 minutes drive from Hobbiton Movie Set, this Hike starts at a Geyser by Te Aroha Domain and climbs to the top of Mt Te Aroha. The signage says 3 hours each way, most fit people would easily do it in 4 hours with a break at the top for sight seeing, eating, photos etc.
There are hotpools at the domain that are worth checking out after your hike too!
Mt Te Aroha Summit Track
Check out this old goldmining area with walk ways along the river and through an old rail tunnel. The scenery here with huge rock faces and pine trees over the river is breathtaking. Best to visit early morning before the crowds
Karangahake gorge
Road Trip Scenic Picnic Spots
This scenic lookout is 24 minutes drive from Hobbiton Movie Set and looks out to the west over the Flat farmlands to the shire.
Because it faces the west it is a great place to watch the sun set and will get busy around this time of day.
Directly over the road from this lookout there is a steel pipe sticking out the side of the mountain where spring water flows, it is a very popular place to fill drink bottles.
Because it faces the west it is a great place to watch the sun set and will get busy around this time of day.
Directly over the road from this lookout there is a steel pipe sticking out the side of the mountain where spring water flows, it is a very popular place to fill drink bottles.
Kaimai Mamaku Lookout
This lakeside reserve is 22 minutes drive from the Hobbiton Movie Set and a great place to stop for a picnic of take in the scenery at the lake. It is very peaceful in the evenings and great views on clear days.
Keeley reserve
A scenic spot 30 minutes drive from Hobbiton Move Set on the way to Rotorua. This stretch of road the tree canopy covers the road from the sky creating a tunnel. There is a cafe to stop at on the south side of the glade with a car park that is a great place to stop for a break
Fitzgerald Glade
A beautiful spot to stop by the lake and have a picnic. Very scenic with lots of areas to stop and clean public toilets.
McLaren Falls Park
Hobbit Accommodation
Lord of the Rings themed accommodation for you to sleep like a hobbit in the shire
Check out this lord of the Rings themed hobbit house! Located close to the films set tour in Cambridge
Rivendell Farmstay Hobbit Hole
This hobbit hole accommodation near Waitomo is a great option if you are planning to visit waitomo caves too.
Woodlyn Park Motel, Waitomo Caves