Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata: The Real-Life Shire from The Hobbit Hobbiton Matamata, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movie set in New Zealand, is the rare filming location that looks even better in person than it does on screen. Rolling green hills are dotted with round doors and smoking chimneys. Tended gardens stretch across
Category Archives: New Zealand Travel Blog
Your blog category
21
Jun
Jun
Paradise, Glenorchy: The Real-Life Heart of Middle-earth Few places on earth blur fantasy and reality quite like Paradise, Glenorchy. This small, gloriously named valley sits at the top of Lake Wakatipu. It is one of the most iconic stops on any Lord of the Rings filming locations New Zealand journey. The valley also remains one
21
Jun
Jun
Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata: The Real-Life Shire from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Few destinations let you step straight into a beloved story. Hobbiton Movie Set is one of them. Tucked into rolling green farmland just outside Matamata, in New Zealand’s Waikato region, this is the genuine filming location. It’s not a
10
Jun
Jun
Hiking the Mount Taranaki Summit Track – What You Need to Know Some mountains look approachable. Mount Taranaki is one of them. An almost perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone rising 2,518 metres above the Taranaki plains, it dominates the western North Island skyline in a way that makes you feel like you could simply walk up
09
Jun
Jun
Paparoa National Park: One of New Zealand’s Best-Kept Secrets There are places in New Zealand that stop you mid-sentence. Paparoa National Park is one of them. Situated on the wild West Coast of the South Island, the park packs an unlikely combination into 430 square kilometres. Ancient limestone formations that look like they belong on
06
Jun
Jun
Visiting New Zealand in Autumn: Your Complete Guide There’s a version of New Zealand that most international visitors never see. Visiting New Zealand in autumn – March, April, and May – means arriving after the summer crowds have gone home, into a country that’s still warm, still open, and wearing colours that the rest of
06
Jun
Jun
Visiting New Zealand in Spring: Your Complete Guide Visiting New Zealand in spring is one of those travel decisions that tends to surprise people. September, October, and November sit in an odd spot in most travellers’ mental calendars – the peak summer crowd hasn’t arrived yet, the ski season is winding down, and the country
04
Jun
Jun
Visiting New Zealand in summer is, genuinely, one of the better decisions a traveller can make. December through February brings long golden days, warm temperatures, open trails, and a version of this country that simply isn’t available at any other time of year. The beaches are swimmable. The Great Walks are fully open. The vineyards
24
May
May
Double Your Adventure: New Zealand and South Pacific Tour Package When you are flying halfway around the world, why stop at just one destination? A New Zealand and South Pacific tour packages gives you the best of two extraordinary regions in a single trip. You explore rugged fjords, volcanic landscapes, and ancient Maori culture. Then
23
May
May
New Zealand is widely known as the world’s adventure capital. Every year, thousands of travelers arrive ready to experience the best adventure activities in New Zealand. The landscape is extraordinary. Volcanic highlands, glaciers, fjords, and coastlines all serve as a natural playground. Whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned thrill-seeker, this guide has you