Rotorua - Experience the Maori

Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the Rotorua, in the Bay of Planty Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is known for its geothermal activity and features geysers and hot mud pools. 37.5% of the population here are Maori, compare to 14.9% in New Zealand as a whole, so we can sense stronger Maori culture here. After our visit at Hobbiton Movie Set, we drove directly to Rotorua and stayed here for 2 nights.

This is Rotorua's iconic building, the Rotorua Museum. At here visitors can discover the regions's rich Maori culture, volatile volcanic landscape and dramatic history. Formerly as Bath House of Rotorua, now this building has been transformed to museum. Well, I and wife did not enter as I like old building so just had sightseeing at this area. They are many old buildings to visit.  

This Spanish style old bath house has been restored to original condition and provide visitors the same service - heated bath. It is located at the same garden with Rotorua Museum.

Geothermal pool beside the Blue Baths (the Spanish style old building).

The Maori Arts

The lake beside the Rotorua Museum really huge. Initially I thought it was sea.

Rotorua Official Website

From Auckland, head toward South Eastern direction approximate 2 hours and 45 minutes driving. Matamata is at the middle of the journey so it is good to drop by for Hobbiton Movie Set then head to Rotorua.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Day 7, we left Auckland and headed to Matamata, a rural town located South East from Auckland with 2 hours drive. Peter Jackson’s epic film trilogy Lord of the Rings made this rural town famous. Most tourists who come to Matamata are dedicated hobbit-botherers.

Peter Jackson found this farm and concluded it looked like a slice of ancient England. Eventually part of the Alexander Farm was transformed to filming location for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and The Hobbit film series. After the filming, it became a tourist attraction. Hobbiton Movie Set has 44 hobbit holes and associated gardens and hedges, a mill and double arch bridge. It is not possible to enter any of the hobbit holes but the Green Dragon Inn houses visitors for light meals and drinks. 

We bought the online ticket for NZD79 each person. Tour includes a drink at the Green Dragon Inn and free transfers leave from the Matamata i-SITE. This movie set gave me the Middle-Earth feel. We were immersed in the natural beauty of New Zealand.

Leaving Auckland

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

501 Buckland Rd

Hinuera

Matamata 3472

New Zealand

Ph: +64 (7) 888 1505

Freephone: 0508 4 HOBBITON

Fax: +64 (7) 888 1507

E: office@hobbitontours.com