The Middle Earth Tour of the North Island

Your full-day excursion takes you first to the Arataki Visitor Centre, the gateway to the Waitakere Ranges and a short drive from Auckland Central. Enjoy panoramic views extending from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean as you absorb the area’s history and admire the magnificent traditional Māori carvings. Walk the regenerating rainforest where your experienced guide will detail local flora and fauna. Take in the giant tree ferns, and bubbling streams before venturing onto a wild west coast beach. Enjoy a picnic lunch before your eco-tour ends in an area of untamed original rainforest. Here, mature 200-300-year-old kauri trees have developed separately from the rest of the world for millions of years and this part of the rainforest is particularly rich in bird life due to a successful programme to eradicate pests.

Travel towards the coast today, stopping first in the charming town of Cambridge. With its English country village ambience, Cambridge boasts delightful cafes, antique stores, and a picturesque village green. As the heart of New Zealand’s equine industry, the town also features an impressive bronze horse sculpture honouring its rich history. Along the way you’ll pass through Otorohanga known for its "Kiwiana" energy, from here it’s a short drive to the iconic limestone hills of Waitomo, home to its world-famous cave complex and breathtaking underground wonders.

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. Spend time wandering through Bagshot Row before being led inside a Hobbit Hole to view the detailed interior, designed to provide an authentic glimpse into the dwelling of a Hobbit.

Head southbound on State Highway one through the lush farmland and dairy pastures of the Waikato region. The Bombay Hills mark the outer boundary of the greater Auckland area and its here you turn inland towards Matamata. This is the real Middle Earth, and you’ll see many locations used in the filming of The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit, as well as visiting the actual set of Hobbiton.

During the summer months you can take advantage of the skifield facilities and take the gondola over Mt Ruapehu’s otherworldly terrain. You’ll travel to an altitude of 2020 metres where you’ll be treated to magnificent views of Tongariro National Park, including the iconic peaks of Mt Ruapehu, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, the latter featured as Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies.

Travel south into the heart of the Central Volcanic Plateau, Tongariro National Park. Leaving the limestone hills of Waitomo, follow the road through lush King Country pastures, named after the Māori King Tawhiao who lived here in exile during the mid 1800's. Continue on to arrive in this World Heritage Park, home to three active volcanoes Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe, as well as many walking tracks, adventure activities and the renowned Tongariro Crossing.

The Tongariro Crossing is New Zealand’s best 1 day walk taking you through Tongariro National Park and World Heritage Area. The park is dominated by three majestic volcanoes, Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu. During your 19 km hike, you’ll follow a well-formed track leading up the saddle between Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro. The landscape on Tongariro is peppered with the different coloured and shaped craters, scoured volcanic rocks, mountain springs, and brightly coloured emerald lakes. During winter the tours offer you the chance to experience this magnificent landscape covered in snow. It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information see here.

This drive takes you to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. Leaving Whakapapa Village, make your way through the Rangipo Desert, skirting the edges of the Tongariro National Park, one of New Zealand’s three world heritage sites. Catch a glimpse of the volcanically active Mt Ruapehu and Lord of the Rings fans, will appreciate the view of Mt. Ngauruhoe, better known as Mt Doom. Continue south to the rural towns of Taihape, Mangaweka, and Bulls before arriving on the spectacular Kapiti Coast before arriving in Wellington City.

Prepare for an unforgettable LOTR adventure. Leaving Wellington, you will first head for the hills, admiring views from Mt Victoria before visiting Hobbit’s Hideaway in the 'Outer Shire'. Next, immerse yourself at the Weta Cave in Miramar. Tour the museum, shop, and capture photos with iconic movie props. Experience the fascinating 'Weta Workshop Experience', going behind-the-scenes to see props and weaponry, with artists describing their creations. After a magical cinematic journey, you will return to Wellington.

Wellington city has a number of walking tracks that explore the Town Belt Forest, the harbour and city suburbs. Botanic Gardens Home to over 26 hectares of unique landscape, exotic forests, native bush, colourful floral displays and magnificent views. Within the gardens you can explore the Sculpture Trail, there are seven major works by some of New Zealand’s foremost sculptors set in the open grounds of the gardens. The Botanic Gardens are open daily from sunrise to sunset and entry is free. Mount Victoria Loop Distance 4.7km, Time 2.5 hours This loop includes sections of the Hataitai to City Walkway and the Southern Walkway and will take you to the Mount Victoria lookout for fantastic views of the city. Matiu/Somes Island Loop Track Time 40 minutes of walking, not including the ferry ride to the island. This track takes you around Matiu/Somes Island, offering spectacular views across Wellington Harbour to Wellington and Hutt cities. Pause along the way to check out the island’s historic and ecological attractions, including introduced wildlife which are thriving amongst the native vegetation. There are daily ferries to and from Matiu/Somes Island should you want to explore. Southern Walkway Distance 11km; Time 4-5 hours to complete the entire walk, but shorter sections can be walked. The Southern Walkway follows the Town Belt forest between Oriental Bay and Island Bay. The greatest attraction of this walkway is the variety of scenery, from views of the harbour and central city at Oriental Bay, the shade and tranquillity of the Town Belt forest to the rugged and exposed Southern coastline between Houghton and Island Bays. Shorter sections of this can be walked depending on time available and your interests. City to Sea Walkway Distance 12km; Time 6-7 hours to complete the entire walk, but shorter sections can be walked. You can choose to walk shorter sections of this walkway depending on time and interests and in either direction. Starting in the heart of the city near Parliament and finishing at Island Bay on the south Coast, this walkway passes through the Botanic Gardens, Victoria University, historic Aro Valley and many parks and reserves. You will get spectacular views of central Wellington, Mount Victoria, Mount Kaukau and the Cook Strait.

Wellington, known in Māori as Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui ("The Head of the Fish of Maui") or Te Whanganui a Tara ("The Great Harbour of Tara"), is New Zealand’s vibrant capital. Often called a ‘mini-Melbourne,’ this cosmopolitan city blends art, culture, food, and fashion with quirky laneway bars, hip eateries, and underground art shows. Stroll the waterfront to Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, or ride the historic cable car from Lambton Quay for stunning city views. Explore Cuba Street’s unique boutiques and visit the iconic ‘Beehive’ at Parliament. Fans of The Lord of the Rings can tour Weta Workshop, the Oscar-winning design studio behind Middle-earth. Just an hour away, Martinborough offers a culinary escape with top-notch food and wine. Nature lovers can’t miss Zealandia, the world’s first fully fenced eco-sanctuary. End your day sampling Wellington’s renowned dining scene, search 'Metro Eats' for the city’s best spots.