Port Waikato – Weathertop

The longest river in New Zealand is the Waikato River at 425 kilometres, and Port Waikato is where the river reaches the sea. The Lord of the Rings Weathertop Hollow was filmed at the rock formation.

Kiwis visit this coastal town for the beaches, surfing, and fresh seafood. The beach is also call Sunset Beach where you get to see the most spectacular sun-setting show in New Zealand.

Matamata – Hobbiton

Matamata is a small rural town known for their Thoroughbred horse breeding and training. Now, it is more referred to as the Hobbiton, thanks to Lord of the Rings movie.

As the actual film site is located on private land, no personal visits are allowed. To get to Hobbiton, you will need to go for a guided tour. Registration can be done at Matamata I-Site.

Tongariro National Park – Mordor

This is the first National Park in New Zealand, and fourth in the world. It is also a World Heritage area with important links to Maori cultural and spiritual associations, as well as its volcanic features.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the most popular one-day tramp in New Zealand. This route is a part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of the 9 Great Walks in New Zealand. This crossing takes about 7 hours of constant walking and requires a good fitness level.

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