Your New Zealand escape offers Tolkien fans the option to embark on a not-so-unexpected journey to the Hobbiton Movie Set, where Middle-earth was brought to life in the classic films.

Be swept away to The Shire, where undulating emerald hills are dotted with grazing sheep and charming hobbit holes are nestled in verdant mounds, framed in creeping vines and lush gardens. Make sure you’ve had your second breakfast, as you’ll be meandering along winding pathways lined with miniature clotheslines and hobbit-sized workshops, before ducking into Bagshot Row to explore inside the humble hobbit dwellings. Here, every exquisite detail tells a story of meticulous craftsmanship, from overflowing pantries to welcoming writing nooks. Continue to the Party Marquee by the Green Dragon Inn, where you’ll enjoy a feast fit for a hobbit, before heading back to Rotorua for your included evening experience at Te Puia.

Discover the geothermal wonders and enduring Māori culture of New Zealand’s North Island at Te Puia, where steaming landscapes and ancestral traditions are woven together in a uniquely immersive experience.

As twilight descends, explore Te Puia’s geothermal valley, where native bush frames steaming mud pools and erupting plumes of water, culminating at the magnificent Pōhutu Geyser, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. A delicious Māori dinner of fish, lamb and vegetables follows, traditionally prepared in earth ovens known as hāngī. Your experience is accompanied by stirring cultural performances — including a pōhiri (traditional welcome), waiata (songs), and the powerful haka — offering a moving expression of connection to this unique landscape. Experience Te Puia, Hobbiton, and more on our Incredible New Zealand journey.

Words by Terysa Vanderloo