We drove everywhere. Apparently, we did our best to beat the sunrise and the sunset. We woke up every day around 5 am, but it got light later than six. We stayed up until midnight (it got dark in between 7 pm and 8 pm) and then, started over. Excitement was bigger than sleep. I wanted to see it all. No down times.
This schedule did work out for us. We usually arrived to places before the crowds and spent the dark hours trying to drive through. I wish it stayed light 24/7. Every landscape was worth a picture. What am I saying? It was worth a painting.
Our first stop on the second day in New Zealand was at the Hunua Ranges, which cover about 400 square kilometres along the south eastern side of the Auckland region. Most of the area lies within the Waharau Regional Park. Hiking tracks are available within the area, but we chose the short walk (2 min) to the impressive Hunua Falls. You judge.
Our next destination was Cathedral Cove. Getting there is easy. Free parking is actually available at the entrance to Hahei Village, on the right hand side.
From the village you can take the shuttle bus (run continuously from 9am to 6pm, and costs $5 return per person, $3 for a child and $10 for a family (2 adults 2 children). Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to walk through Hahei Beach and the beautiful cliff walk, which is approximately a 1.15 hrs walk.
No regrets. The shuttle was easy to find and it did take us fast. No waiting to fill up the van. I repeat, we were there early morning (around 9 am). Everything went smooth. Weather was great. No crowds, magnificent views. The walk took us around 40 minutes at a constant pace.
On our way back we stopped at Hot Water beach. They recommend to go two hours either side of low-tide so you can dig your own hole and enjoy from unbelievable and natural hot springs. We arrived when they were under water. For us, it just looked like a regular beach. Reviews on the place were mixed in between the people that loved it or hated it. Apparently, it can get really crowded and unpleasant. You decide.
Almost last but not least was the Hobbiton Movie Set. Lord of the Rings fans will understand. Personally, I watched all the movies and to be honest, they were responsible for putting New Zealand on my bucket list. Thank you Tolkien!
The place does not disappoint. $84 dollars per person, but very well spent on this 2 hour tour. Spoiler alert: you might want to avoid the summer if you would REALLY want to see the set all green.
Me and my husband loved it. Its easy to get there and the staff is really friendly. They actually allowed us to hop on an earlier tour, as we made it way before our scheduled time. No hassle at all! They even have their own shop and cafe if we have wanted to wait.
Got our tickets as soon as we got in (although we had reserved it online) and then they called our group to a line. Guess what? There were Movie Set Buses that took us to the actual farm where Hobbiton is still alive!
Funny enough: it’s just across the street. The whole problem is that the owners actually had to be careful with fans that were just going into their private property because they knew it will lead them to where Hobbiton was.
On the ride up, what we got was an informational video on how the farm was chosen by Sir Peter Jackson’s team and how it actually was built up. Turns out, an aerial search led the team to the Alexander farm, a stunning 1,250 acre sheep farm in the heart of the Waikato. Apparently, they noted the area’s striking similarity to The Shire, as described by JRR Tolkien, and quickly realized that the Hobbits had found a home.
Incredible story. Extraordinary place to visit. Hobbiton had houses made for 4ft and 5 ft people. Turns out -once again, that although Tolkien described Hobbits as being 4 ft high, Mr. Jackson couldn’t find adult actors that were as short. Instead, he decided to build houses for 4ft and 5 ft people, so that he could hire kids when 4 ft footage was needed and 5 ft actors for the rest of the scenes.
The whole place is just a blast. As you walk through you notice that you can tell exactly what the profession of the resident Hobbit is. Amazing details to actually shape tiny objects for the baker (bread), fisherman (fish), cheese monger (cheese) and beekeeper (honey jars). Definitely, you can tell (and see) that very hard work is being put on a daily basis to keep the gardens healthy, radiant and alive and healthy. The houses vibrant. The place, pure magic.
There is no location you don’t want a take a picture, there is no corner that is not worth taking a look. The tour guide provides all the insights and is willing to take your pictures too, so don’t even worry if you are a solo traveler at all! At the end, a drink is included at the Green Dragon Inn. You know what I mean? WOW.
The bus finally takes you down again. As usual, you walk through the Gift Shop and leave wondering: was that even real?
That is New Zealand. Full of different kinds of treasures. The last one we visit, at the end of the day was the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. We had reserved the tour that went at 7 pm. Once again, we made it there early and we were switched to an earlier time. Yay!
Once again, the cave doesn’t disappoint. Nature is unbelievable. 45 minutes of pure contemplation. No pictures, no cameras on the way, no crowds. How lucky is that?
The tour guide takes you into the cave you have chosen (its cool not freezing, but a jacket is recommended), explains all its ins and outs, but the part you are waiting is at the very end of the path. It is when you take a short boat ride and everybody has to stay silent. Quietly, everything turns extremely dark and these bodies of light appear as stars. That’s now your only sky! Astonishing! Magnificent! Spoiler alert: its a very short time. Good News: Its breathtaking! Surreal!
Wookitu 