Road Trip: Lord of the Rings Explorer

Experience Auckland, a stunning natural playground and melting pot of cultures with a strong Māori influence. Straddling natural harbors on the Hauraki Gulf and the Tasman Sea, Auckland sits on a volcanic isthmus flanked by contrasting coastlines. From volcanic peaks, lush native canopies and black sand beaches, to hip entertainment districts, contemporary art scenes and gourmet experiences, there’s something for everyone in this populous waterfront city, the largest in New Zealand! The city also entertains adrenaline seekers at the iconic sky tower while rugby fans can catch an All Blacks’ match the country’s biggest stadium, Eden Park. Relax in the laid-back neighborhoods or head out to explore the series of walking paths that present spectacular vantages of the Auckland region. Short ferry rides away, the nearby islands are home to boutique vineyards, wineries, olive groves, rainforests, and reserves. Enjoy tranquil island vistas with a plethora of sailboats on the east, and the Waitakere Ranges with rugged black sand beaches and farmlands on the west.

A binocular’s view across the gulf from Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula is everything that a big city isn’t. With a mountainous interior cloaked in native rainforest and more than 250 miles of dazzling white sand beaches, it is rustic, unspoiled, and relaxed. Activities and attractions are plentiful, from fishing and diving to hiking and cycling. You might choose skydiving in Whitianga or a guided sea kayak tour around the coast. You could wander among the coolness of the pristine bush: it is a walker’s paradise. Explore the relics from the area’s gold mining heritage, follow the Karangahake Gorge and Coromandel Coastal Walkway, hike the Pinnacles, or hop on your bike and cycle the Hauraki Rail Trail. Or simply sit and relax in a warm bubbling pool at Hot Water Beach where you can dig your own spa two hours either side of low tide. Don’t miss the spectacular Cathedral Cove, the jewel of a protected marine reserve. The Coromandel Peninsula is the home of many artists and craftspeople. Pop into their studios – you’re welcome to visit – and pick up a unique piece of art or pottery to take home with you. It’s also the home of many events and concerts that draw locals and visitors alike to this remarkable place. Staying in the Coromandel Peninsula is easy. Most of the accommodation providers have found themselves spectacular locations so whether your tastes are for the upmarket or the simple, you’ll find a room with an amazing view. It’s just over an hour from Auckland airport, Rotorua and Hobbiton.

Discover Coromandel's most famous natural attractions! Set off for Cathedral Cove, located in the Southern part of Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula. Take in the picturesque views from here of iconic cliffs and the rock archway. Head to Hot Water Beach next, where you can enjoy quality time in the sun. Enjoy the relaxing self-dug thermal spas here at your leisure during low tide, and relax into your own hot spring! (Full Day; Shared Activity; Please bring walking shoes, swimsuits, towels and sun protection).

From geothermal wonders at Kuirau Park located within the city center, to fumaroles, bubbling mud pools, and the pastel silica terraces of the Wai o Tapu valley, Rotorua is a haven for wellness enthusiasts. This town, situated in North Island is an active lifestyle destination for outdoor adventures, holistic excursions, and cultural encounters, thanks to its fantastic surroundings around a natural crater lake. Whakarewarewa, a living geothermal village with hundreds of hot springs, and the famous Pōhutu geyser, also offers Māori cultural experiences including a traditional hāngi feast, Tā moko tattoo art, and local handicrafts. Enjoy loop walks around Lake Tikitapu, long hikes to the Rainbow Mountains, tree canopy boardwalks, ziplining, fantastic mountain biking trails in redwood forests, and rafting on the Class 5 rapids of Kaituna river, among others. Amid all the action, explore urban parks, working farms, native bird conservation centers, the historic buried village of Te Wairoa, and Mount Ngongotaha that affords a bird’s eye view of the Bay of Plenty in North Island!

Discover Tongariro National Park – a World Heritage site located on North Island and the oldest national park in New Zealand. It is home to three active volcanoes – Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu – as well as several Maori spiritual sites. Mount Ruapehu is known for its ski slopes that attract tourists during the winter months. The park is also a popular vacation destination during the summer months owing to its many hiking trails, the most famous one being the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. A birder’s paradise, the park is home to several species of birds, including the North Island brown kiwi, the North Island fernbird and the New Zealand falcon.

Buckle in as you take off from Chateau airport on this thrilling flight over the three awe-inspiring active volcanoes in Tongariro National Park. Settle in to enjoy panoramic views of the stunning landscape as your flight climbs up high in the air. Savor breathtaking visuals of Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe, and the summit of Mount Ruapehu, noticing volcanic rock formations and the stark landscape made famous by the Lord of the Rings movies. From your vantage point, take a good look at serene Lake Taupo, the country’s largest lake, as you listen to the informative commentary. Keep your camera ready as you fly over Ketetahi hot springs, Emerald Lakes, Red Crater, Tama Lakes, and popular tramping trails. On clear days, you may be able to see up to Mount Taranaki in Napier and beyond! (Duration: 35-min flight; Fitness Level: Easy. Please note that this tour is subject to availability and weather conditions. Departures are on demand. Please check-in 15 mins before flight time.)

Discover Wellington, a cosmopolitan harbor city brimming with art, culture, entertainment, and natural wonders. Wellington is also home to the protected Matiu/Somes Island reserve, and the Zealandia Ecosanctuary that conserves rare native flora and fauna including the ancient-looking tuatara! Explore the city’s wooded hillsides, swanky bays, and golden sand beaches that provide for great watersports adventures and leisure activities. As the country’s moviemaking hub, Wellington offers exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, theater shows, workshops, studio visits, and screening of old-time classics at restored cinemas. World-class coffee and craft beer dominate the food culture at bohemian markets, gourmet streets, and waterfront neighborhoods. A variety of interactive exhibits and immersive museums showcase contemporary Māori and Pasifika art experiences. Take a ride up Wellington’s historic cable car to Kelburn and stroll down the Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway that affords panoramic vistas of the city.

Discover the world of WETA, which prides itself on the film sets of Hollywood gems such as ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘Avatar’, and ‘The Planet of the Apes’. Welcomed by statues of the three trolls from The Hobbit, step into the exciting gift store of WETA. A haven for movie franchise enthusiasts, browse through highly-detailed replicas, props, and merchandise including the Jen Hansen ring from ‘The Lord of the Rings’! Enjoy the framed movie posters that adorn the ceiling and a fantastic showcase of lifesize memorabilia. See scaled down versions of movie characters and unique collectibles at the mini-museum in the adjoining room. Wandering through Manufacture Alley, learn about the creative processes involved, and understand the various roles in the film industry from costume design to robotics. Go behind the scenes of the 2015 TV series ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ miniature stage set. As your guide shares facts and anecdotes, witness original storyboards, character pieces, and the unique methods used to breathe life into the characters and stories! (Duration: 2 hrs; Shared Activity; Fitness level: Easy)

Queenstown is where adventure seekers head out to for a shot of adrenalin! The region’s dramatic landscape is wrapped around the scenic lakes, velvety mountains and valleys of the Southern Alps. Summer or winter, there’s always plenty to do along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and the slopes of the Coronet Peak. Arguably the bungee jumping and skydiving capital of the world, get ready to plunge down bridges, planes and hill tops. The fiord of Milford Sound, home to the rare black coral, seal colonies, penguins, dolphins and the Mitre Peak, is not too far away. Kayaking along Lake Wakatipu, camping at the Routeburn Track, jet-boating down the Shotover and Dart rivers, and skiing down Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are some of the city’s popular pastimes. Queenstown also forms a base for exploring South Island’s other adventure destinations, charming vineyards and old mining settlements around Wanaka, Glenorchy and Arrowtown.

Watch the dramatic landscape of Queenstown with its lakes, mountains, and valleys unfold before you on this extraordinary sky gondola ride over the city’s skyline. Walk over to the Skyline Gondola Terminal, located in the center of Queenstown, to catch your exhilarating ride to Bob’s Peak. Arguably the steepest climb in all of the Southern Hemisphere, this sky gondola lets you soar above Queenstown. Sit back and enjoy the panoramic sights of the picturesque Lake Wakatipu, the Coronet Peak and the velvety cliffs of The Remarkables mountain range spread out beneath you. (Duration: 10 mins; Time: From 0900 hrs daily; Shared Activity; Fitness level: Easy)

Wanaka is a spectacular highland lake town in South Island filled with exhilarating possibilities for adventure lovers as well as endless panoramic vistas for leisure travelers. The little resort town offers myriad reasons to celebrate the great outdoors by the picturesque Wanaka Lake and lakefront, and the nearby Mt Aspiring National Park with its mountains, highland rivers, waterfalls and Alpine forests. There’s much to do in the summers with kayaking, paddle boating and jet boating down the lake, as well as hiking and mountain biking up in the forested trails. Come winter, skiers and snowboarders from across the world come together at Wanaka’s famous ski fields. Apart from its picture postcard landscapes, Wanaka is well known for its museums, art galleries, parks and designer boutiques at the town center. The National Transport and Toy Museum, Puzzling World, an amusing outdoor maze for all ages, and natural features such as the Wanaka Station Park – remains of the old sheep station, are worth a visit. It may be a little town, but Wanaka offers a fair share of artisanal produce at the Market, and there are charming little wineries and breweries around town too. Enjoy splashes of local color at annual festivals and events such as ‘Warbirds over Wanaka’, ‘Rhythm & Alps’, and the ‘Audi Quattro Winter Games’. Soaking in the great outdoors by day and exploring trendy eateries and bars by night: what’s not to love?

Head out from your hotel in Wanaka for a fascinating lake cruise and nature walk to experience firsthand the bounty of nature in the region. Hop into a boat for a scenic cruise to remote Mou Waho Island, accessible only from the water. Sit back and enjoy the spectacular alpine views as the boat glides smoothly on Lake Wanaka. Step ashore at the island which is a nature reserve free of predators and home to the rare flightless Buff Weka, a species which has not been spotted on the mainland since 1920! Set off on an optional guided hour-long walk to the top of the island where you will come upon a beautiful lake sheltered from prying eyes. Savor high tea to the accompaniment of melodious birdsong while enjoying views of the lakes and the Southern Alps. Alternatively, you can lounge on the island’s beach and indulge in some bird watching while you relish your tea. Choose to plant a native tree as your way of giving back to this unique island and the environment. (Duration 4 hrs; Time of Day: 0900/1330 hrs; Shared Activity; Tea included; Fitness Level: Moderate. Please wear sturdy walking shoes/boots, appropriate warm clothing, and bring along a sweater or jacket depending on the weather. Please note that this activity involves a boat cruise and actual walking time of 1 hr each.)

Explore Mount Cook, a picturesque village tucked at the base of Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. This dramatic alpine landscape is bestowed with spectacular glacier lakes, rivers, meadows, and valleys that entertain horse treks, dinghy cruises, fishing trips, 4×4 drives, and scenic flights with glacier landings. The numerous trails, from the Hooker Valley track to the Tasman Valley lookout and the trek to Mueller Hut are a treat for both beginner hikers and seasoned mountaineers. Accessible via the scenic State Highway 80, majestic snow capped mountain vistas of the Southern Alps beckon. The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center offers a glimpse into the region while the historic Old Mountaineers Lodge provides locally sourced, organic, and free-range produce. As part of the Aoraki International Dark Sky Reserve, Mount Cook also offers wonderful opportunities to marvel at the constellations!

Witness some of highest peaks in the Southern Alps on this leisurely hike up the Hooker Valley. After an early breakfast at your hotel, reach the Hermitage Hotel Activities Desk in time for your guided walk along a comfortable track. Head towards the White Horse Hill camping ground, soaking in the majestic landscape surrounding you, including the Alpine Memorial and a swing bridge over the turbulent Hooker River along the way. Spot Aoraki, Mount Cook's southern face, along with its surrounding glaciers and mountains. You'll be awed at the sight of Mount Cook, which is the highest mountain in New Zealand. Having recorded your adventure through photographs, head back to the Hermitage Hotel from the camping ground. Learn all about the region’s local and natural history from your guide as you trek through the amazing landscape. (Half Day; Time of day: Morning & Afternoon; Duration: 3.5 – 4 hrs; Time of day: 0900/1330/1400 hrs; Shared Activity; Fitness level: Moderate; Please wear warm clothes & comfortable walking shoes; Day packs, rain jackets, sunscreen & insect repellent will be provided; Children below 9 can join if fit enough to walk with the group).

Christchurch is a vibrant city with a rich English heritage nestled on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, bordered by the Waimakariri River and the Pegasus Bay. With innovative architecture, public installations such as the 185 Chairs, and international street art, Christchurch is undergoing an extraordinary urban regeneration. Explore Quake City, a space that showcases the aftermath of Canterbury’s recent earthquakes, Māori galleries that contain some beautiful pounamu (greenstone) pieces, and the International Antarctic Center with its interactive and educational exhibits. Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens offer delightful green spaces within the city. Not to be missed is the hop-on-hop-off loop tram, a fun ride infused with commentary, to navigate the city’s highlights. For a more leisurely experience, go punting on the Avon River, passing through the heart of Christchurch, and sit back and relax on a gondola ride that offers stunning vantages of the Canterbury Plains, the Banks Peninsula, and the Southern Alps beyond!