Heart of the North Island

Take a journey from Rotorua to the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, located inside a picturesque 1,250-acre sheep and beef farm near Matamata. Here, take a guided tour of the village of Hobbiton, which was carefully created in amazing detail as a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. During your guided tour of this amazing location, you’ll see sights like Hobbit holes, the Mill and the Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, enjoy a tasty lunch in the Party Marquee and then return to Rotorua.

Soar beyond the crater’s rim on a spectacular floatplane adventure. After taking in the breathtaking aerial views of Rotorua’s hidden lakes district and distant volcanoes, you will experience the thrill of a water landing on the crystal-clear shores of Lake Rotoiti. Here, you’ll discover a secluded paradise only accessible by water: natural geothermal hot pools tucked away in a quiet bay. Spend 90 minutes soaking in serenity or cooling off with a lakeside swim before your pilot whisks you back to reality. 

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, presenting Te Pā Tū. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Jumpstart your adventure at Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, where you'll witness the spectacular eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser and explore a landscape brimming with vibrant geothermal features like the Champagne Lake and bubbling mud-pools. Continue south to Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake and a giant volcanic crater, for lunch and a highlights tour. Your journey north stops at Huka Falls, a breathtaking display of New Zealand's natural beauty. In Hamilton, discover the unexpected charm of Hamilton Gardens, boasting 18 unique enclosed gardens that transport you through various cultures and times. Finally, enjoy a fully guided return trip to Auckland, with secret stops making your return just as exciting as the rest of your adventure.