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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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!