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Destinations > Oceania > New Zealand > Hobbiton, Glowworm Caves, and Rotorua

Just south of Auckland and Waitakere, the Waikato region provides visitors with a wide range of natural entertainment. The waterfalls, incredible forests, and outdoor adventure possibilities are complemented by the presence of vineyards in this winegrowing region of the north island. Both Marokopa and Omaru Falls are located short walks from nearby roads – easily accessible and free, these natural gems are definitely worth the stop. It seems the earth itself is offering visitors to the region a variety of wonders, with various caves and unique formations around every other corner. Rich with Māori history, as well as more recent European colonial history, the region has a little of something for everyone. 

New Zealand’s volcanic nature comes alive in nearby Rotorua, in the Bay of Plenty region, where the geothermal activity has been put to use in service of the tourism industry. Viewing the geysers or soaking in hot pools are just some of the options the caldera has for visitors. The region’s 17 lakes, the Lakes of Rotorua, offer visitors a wide variety of outdoor sporting options.

If you’re unfamiliar with the customs and culture of New Zealand, you can easily prepare yourself with this short read and multiply your understanding, and love, for this great country while you visit. It’ll certainly connect your experiences to New Zealand in a more profound way!

HELPFUL: Arrival Transfer - Auckland Airport to Auckland Central City Centre

Where to Stay in Rotorua, New Zealand

You won’t always find the most affordable bargains by searching only for hotels, that’s why we’ve selected some of the very best houses, bed and breakfasts, and - yes - even a few hotels that will make your trip to Rotorua as magical as you are dreaming it to be. Check out some of our recommendations below and book your place today before someone else grabs it!

Learn how we explored New Zealand on Less than $44 per day!

Blue Spring - Te Waihou

One of the more popular sites in recent years, the Blue Spring is definitely something that nature lovers will want to take time out to see. The beautiful crystal-clear water is a big draw, so going on a weekday means that you’ll miss some of the crowds.

There are car parks at either end of the Te Waihou walk that takes you past the gorgeous spring, but the longer walk is definitely worth it if you’ve got the time and the weather for it. The track follows the Waihou River and is largely flat and well maintained – an easy hour to hour and a half walk to the springs, depending on your fitness level. The shorter track will take less than 30 minutes.

If you don’t want to drive, you can also take a day trip to the Blue Spring that also stops at the Whakarewarewa Redwoods and Huka Falls, two other amazing natural wonders!

Hobbiton

You’ll want to make sure your camera battery is fully charged for a visit to Hobbiton. Whether you’re a die-hard Tolkien fan, a fan of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, or just curious what the hype is all about, the charm of the created hobbit village will win the day.

There are daily tours, and it’s a good idea to book in advance as this is a very popular attraction - and tickets really do sell out months in advance! In addition to the outdoor set (the interior scenes were filmed elsewhere), there’s a café, a full-service replica of The Green Dragon pub, a gift store, and evening events.

Hobbiton will truly wow you as it is a full sized replica of the entire Hobbiton from the films! We were completely shocked and in awe the entire time, so this is certainly going to be one of the biggest highlights on your trip to New Zealand. Even though a pint of ale (or soda, your preference) is complementary, we’d also highly recommend adding in the meal as well to complete your experience! The food is amazing and you can grab another pint if you want to!

Otorohanga Kiwi House

New Zealand is home to a wide variety of creatures found nowhere else on Earth. The most famous of these might be the kiwi bird. The Otorohanga Kiwi House is dedicated to the conservation of New Zealand’s unique birds and reptiles. They offer visitors a chance to see and learn about these creatures that are rarely seen in the wild. Some of the features are the Ruru, the Karearea falcon, the Kotare, the Kaka forest parrots, the Kea, the Tui, and even some Tuatara - New Zealand’s “living dinosaurs.”

You will get to see a few real Kiwi birds at this location, however they are nocturnal animals so they are located in “night zones” where flash photography is not allowed. This is still likely to be one of your best opportunities to see the Kiwi bird if it’s an important check mark on your visit to New Zealand. It was for us, and we are glad we stopped here!

Open daily, you can book tickets – which are valid for 2 days – online or pay at the door. Be sure to check out the timing of the keeper talks to find out more about the animals you can see.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Another creature unique to New Zealand is the glowworm, and Waitomo Glowworm Caves offer visitors a wide variety of tours to experience the creatures and the fantastic caves where they live. The cave tours have two levels, a dry upper level with walkways and overlooks, and a lower level that can be explored by stream, including boat or black water rafting.

PRO TIP: While photos of the Glowworms are not permitted in the main boat tour, they are allowed in the Ruakuri Cave - but make sure that you have an amazing night vision camera as even the top end camera phones with the best night photo capabilities failed to capture the moment.

There are a number of different options for experiencing the Glowworm Caves. You can:

• get a tour of the main glowworm cave by boat,

• add on the Ruakuri Cave, (OUR RECOMMENDATION)

• add on the Aranui Cave,

• or see all three caves!

We personally chose to see all three caves and - while it was an amazing experience - it was a bit chaotic to get from one cave to the other in the time allotted. In all of the caves, the guides draw on a vast storytelling tradition of the Māori who first discovered the caves generations ago.

We would highly recommend getting the main Glowworm cave boat tour with the Ruakuri Cave - as you see glowworms up close in that cave and can hear the underground river as well. If you’re set on seeing a Weta up close, you’ll need to visit the Aranui cave as well (but that one is not a glowworm cave).

Most people get the main Glowworm cave boat tour combined with Hobbiton as they are generally lacking on time.

If you’re wanting a little more adventure and love a bit of an adrenaline rush, check out their black water rafting experience and/or their Black Abyss ultimate black water rafting and canyoning experience. It’ll truly be something that you’ll never forget!

Coromandel Peninsula

Extending north from the western side of the Bay of Plenty, the Coromandel Peninsula is largely taken up with the Coromandel Forest Park, protecting the jagged mountain ranges that make up the spine of the peninsula. The rugged nature of the landscape means that most of the population of the peninsula is along the coastline, and even there, the towns have remained small. This seemingly untouched nature makes it a great location for a natural getaway. The beaches and forests appear pristine and unaffected, giving visitors the feeling of being outside of time, a lovely change from fast-paced modern life.

If you’re interested in seeing a kiwi fruit farm in this area, we recommend staying a night or two at the Morepork Hideout!

Kuirau Park

A different kind of close encounter with the natural world can be found in Kuirau Park, located in north Rotorua. Unlike the cool darkness of the caves, the geothermal activity in the park is much warmer, so be sure to stay on the marked paths. Named after a legendary Māori maiden, the crater lake, mud pools, and hot springs offer an up-close look at the way our world is constantly recreating itself.

There’s also a free thermal foot bath in addition to the more usual park facilities like playgrounds, picnic areas, and public restrooms. On Saturdays, you can get your picnic from the local farmers’ market held in the park from 6am-1pm.

There is also an award winning “Rotorua Hot Lakes Bike Tour” that stops here to explore the area and is worth trying out if you want to make your day a little bit more active. Plus, you’ll get to stop at some of the best - and less accessible - photo spots in all of Rotorua! A bargain and a truly fun experience.

Te Papaiouru Marae & St. Faith’s Anglican Church

On the shores of Lake Rotorua, the Māori village of Ohinemutu gives guests a view of their culture and history. The village center or Te Papaiouru Marae, is the site of the meeting house which serves several iwi or tribes. Across from the meeting house is St. Faith’s Anglican Church, a Tudor-style church built in 1914. The interior is decorated with a fascinating mix of Māori artistry and Christian imagery. One of the windows, added in 1965, depicts an image of Christ wearing traditional Māori dress that appears to be walking on the water of the lake.

Only about 7 minutes drive away is the Mitai Maori Village, a sacred cultural and spiritual space to the Maori people. They put on a 3-hour experience that is:

“an authentic introduction to Maori culture with an evening at the Mitai Maori Village of Rotorua. See warriors in traditional dress paddle in an ancient canoe, and be captivated by the displays of weaponry. You'll watch 'haka' and poi dances and view glowworms in their natural habitat.”

These are some of the best places that you can stop in New Zealand if you are looking to learn about the native Māori culture.

Government Gardens & Blue Baths

Situated on the shore of the lake in downtown Rotorua, the Government Gardens house an elaborate bathhouse built in 1906. Settled amidst the formal council gardens, the impressive Tudor-style building, gorgeous inside and out, now houses the Rotorua Museum. The fabulous Art Deco Blue Baths, built in 1933, scandalously allowed mixed bathing, and were restored to their former glory in 2000, so you can now experience the early luxury enjoyed by early visitors.

Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring) and the Tamaki Maori Village are also located in this area.

The gardens include:

• a rose garden,

• the Te Runanga tea house,

• a bowling green and croquet lawn, and

• a bandstand.

This is one of the main stops on the Rotorua Highlights tour from Auckland and one of the most beautiful and cultural places that we stopped on our trip to Rotorua - certainly more than we expected it to be! We also recommend it in the “Must See Places in Rotorua” section below.

Whakarewarewa Redwoods

Outside the city, next to the Whakarewarewa thermal area, the California Redwoods might be a surprising, and are definitely a majestic site. Planted originally as an experiment, the trees have thrived in the rich soil provided by the area’s thermal activity. The area is now protected and offers a variety of outdoor activities, particularly mountain bike trails and walking paths.

The Redwood Treewalk, a canopy walkway of 23 suspended bridged spanning between the giant trees, is magical, especially after a rainfall or at night by lantern light. Tickets for the walkway can be purchased at the visitors’ center or online.

If you don’t want to drive, you can take a day trip to the Whakarewarewa Redwoods that also stops at the Blue Spring and Huka Falls, two of the other most impressive natural spots in the area!

Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland

Moving south from Rotorua, Wai-O-Tapu, which means sacred waters, is another place for visitors to experience the wonders of the geothermal activity in the area. Noted for its colorful hot springs, the area has a long history of attracting visitors.

As well as walking paths, there is a dedicated area for cyclists. Tickets to the geothermal park can be purchased at the visitors’ center, and there is also a gift shop, café, picnic area, and decent restrooms on site.

You can also add in a stop to Wai-O-Tapu on the Rotorua Highlights tour from Auckland, or see both Wai-O-Tapu and the Waimangu Volcanic Valley from Rotorua if you’re staying in Rotorua.

Must See Places in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty

With the selection here, we’ve just gotten started on the wonders of New Zealand. The unique landscapes and wildlife truly make it like no place else on Earth. The natural beauty and rich cultural history will leave you wanting more of this magical country.

However, if you only have a short amount of time in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, we would highly recommend having these highlights on your trip:

• Choose either the Hobbiton experience with lunch or the combo Hobbiton & Glowworm Caves trip.

• In Rotorua, our favorite places were Wai-O-Tapu and the Government Gardens.

• Explore some of the highlights of Auckland.

We know that if you can fit all of that in, you’ll have really loved your time on the north island of New Zealand and that it will be a trip that you’ll remember forever!

Continue onward with your adventure across New Zealand:

• Taupo, Tongariro, and the Mordor Hike

Please feel free to share this article with friends that will be joining you or others who you know would love to go!

FAQ’s

How long does it take to tour Hobbiton and what are the ticket prices?

Hobbiton is the movie set of the hobbit village from the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit films. You can take a guided tour of the set, which lasts about 2 hours and includes a visit to the 44 hobbit holes, the Party Tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the Mill¹. The ticket prices are NZ$89 for adults, NZ$44for children (9-16 years old), and free for infants (0-8 years old). You can also book a banquet tour, which includes a feast at the Green Dragon Inn, for NZ$199 for adults and NZ$99.50 for children².

What is the best way to see the glowworm caves and how much does it cost?

The glowworm caves are a natural wonder where you can see thousands of tiny bioluminescent insects lighting up the dark caverns. There are several ways to see the glowworm caves, such as:

• Waitomo Glowworm Caves: This is the most popular and accessible option, where you can take a 45-minute guided tour that includes a boat ride through the glowworm grotto. The ticket prices are NZ$55 for adults and NZ$24 for children (4-14 years old)³.

• Ruakuri Cave: This is a more adventurous option, where you can take a 2-hour guided tour that involves walking and crawling through the cave, seeing glowworms, stalactites, stalagmites, and fossils. The ticket prices are NZ$79 for adults and NZ$35 for children (4-14 years old)⁴.

• Spellbound Glowworm and Cave Tour: This is a more intimate and exclusive option, where you can take a 3-hour guided tour that includes a boat ride and a walk through two different caves, seeing glowworms, limestone formations, and native wildlife. The ticket prices are NZ$75 for adults and NZ$37.50 for children (0-14 years old)⁵.

What are some of the cultural and geothermal attractions in Rotorua and how can I experience them?

Rotorua is a city that is rich in Maori culture and geothermal activity. You can experience some of the cultural and geothermal attractions in Rotorua, such as:

• Te Puia: This is a cultural and geothermal park that showcases the Maori art, history, and traditions. You can see the Pohutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere, the Kiwi House, where you can see the national bird of New Zealand, and the Maori Village, where you can watch cultural performances, demonstrations, and workshops. The ticket prices are NZ$60 for adults and NZ$30 for children (5-15 years old).

• Wai-O-Tapu: This is a geothermal wonderland that features colorful pools, bubbling mud, and steaming vents. You can walk along a 3 km trail that takes you to the Champagne Pool, the Devil’s Bath, the Artist’s Palette, and the Lady Knox Geyser. The ticket prices are NZ$32.50for adults and NZ$11 for children (5-15 years old).

• Tamaki Maori Village: This is a cultural experience that immerses you in the Maori way of life. You can join a 3.5-hour evening tour that includes a traditional welcome ceremony, a guided walk through the village, a cultural performance, and a hangi feast. The ticket prices are NZ$130 for adults and NZ$85 for children (5-9 years old).

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