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Tour Details: |
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| Departs |
Auckland |
| Pick Up / Drop Off |
Yes |
| Best taken |
All Year
September - May recommended |
| Duration |
2 days, 1 night |
| Fitness Level |
Normal, some walking required. |
| Transport |
Included |
| Meals |
Not included |
| Accommodation |
TBC |
| Group size |
Min. 1 - Max. 7 |
| You will need: |
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| Summer: |
Comfortable footware, sun screen. sun glasses |
| Winter: |
Warm clothing, |
| Additional Activities |
Wairoa River White water rafting
Kayaking at Lake McLaren |
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White water rafting at the Wairoa River when available.
The Wairoa is a dam release river that only runs 26 days a year.
In order to release the water a hydroelectric power station has to be shut down.
Contact me for more information or if you wish to take this thrilling ride! |
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Optional Services
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Download your images to DVD
- Memory card backup
- Post production assistance
Check another Tour
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| HOME / TOURS / HOBBTON & MT MAUNGANUI |
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| Hobbiton and Mt Maunganui |
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Includes a visit to the original Hobbiton Village movie set from The Lord of the Rings in a fascinating two-hour guided tour. |
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The movie set has ben spectacularly rebuilt for the new The Hobbit movies which makes a visit much more exciting! |
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Tour Highlights: |
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- A Tour of the Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Village Movie set.
- A drive through the Kaimai Ranges
- The McLaren Falls
- Tauranga
- Mt Maunganui
- Katikati mural Town
- The Karangahake Gorge
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| DAY 1 - HOBBITON & McLAREN FALLS |
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A drive through the New Zealand beautiful countryside takes us to Matamata from where we embark on a fascinating tour of the Hobbiton Village, the original Lord of the Rings Movieset.
It's a magnificent location. You will follow the little Hobbits and retrace Gandalf's steps as you walk the paths and meadows. The magic of the fireworks night will reignite right in front of your eyes. I'm sure you'll relive your movie experience from way back ...
The set was then and still is a private working New Zealand Sheep Farm, so as an added bonus you will be treated to a real Sheep Farm experience!.
The road to McLaren Falls crosses the Kaimai Mountain Ranges with spectacular scenic views towards the Waikato.
The McLaren Falls Park is a delightful place and will afford many photo opportunities to the keen eye and camera.
When the river is full and running, the local youngsters take this as an opportunity to make river jumps from either the bridge or the roof of the power station. It is very photogenic but a truly hair raising sight - See it here, |
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Photo Opportunities: |
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- The Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Village Movie set.
- Scenic views from the Kaimai Ranges
- The McLaren falls
- Tauranga
- Mt Maunganui
- Katikati Nural Town
- The Karangahake Gorge
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| DAY 2 - TAURANGA & MT MAUNGANUI |
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We spend the Night in Tauranga and in the morning set off to climb Mt Maunganui. The climb takes about an hour and the summit affords magnificent scenic views as a reward.
After a coffee and a leisurely stroll through the streets of Mt Maunganui and Tauranga, we continue our trip.
Katikati, dubbed as "Mural Town" for its hand painted murals along the main street is a pleasant stop along the way. The murals picturing scenes from the region's history, blend marvelously well with everyday life in town. We'll admire and photograph them and of course take a shot of each other next to the newspaper reading man and his dog... (its a sculpture, but it feel so real!)
Nex we go through the spectacular Karangahake Gorge. Its dark, deep and narrow. There is an old mining site there, and time and weather permitting we'll have a look at the old train bridge and tunnel....
A final stop in Paeroa for a taste of L&P and a mandatory shot with the giant L&P Bottle, and we embark on the final leg of our trip back to Auckland. . |
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| NOTES |
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Depending on season, weather and your personal preferences our itinerary may change.
Accommodation:
We stay in accommodation that is selected for its quality, location and value, without being excessive. These can be 3 - 4 star Bed & Breakfast or Motel accomodation. You will have the opportunity to advise on your requirements during the booking process and form. |
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| Video |
| Hobbiton |
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| Additional Information
Hobbiton
The Hobbiton movie set has been returned to its natural state. However, 17 of the original 37 Hobbit holes and some structures from the film set are still present. There are spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges from the rolling green hills of the movie set, which is still a working sheep and beef farm.
McLaren Falls
Lake McLaren and the park were originally formed as part of the Wairoa River catchment hydro electricity system in 1925.
Mt Maunganui
According to legend the mountain once lay inland. Spurned by the beautiful mountain Pūwhenua, it begged the fairy-like creatures of the forest to drag it into the ocean. As they neared the water’s edge dawn broke, and the fairies fled, leaving the mountain caught forever in the light of day. Thereafter it was known as Mauao (Mau –‘caught’, ao – ‘light of day’). Later it was renamed Maunganui in memory of a similar mountain in Hawaiki, the Polynesian homeland of the Māori.
L&P (Lemon and Paeroa))
Paeroa is home to therapeutic spring water discovered in the 19th century. This water, mixed with lemon is known as New Zealand’s very first own natural soft drink, “Lemon and Paeroa”. This soft drink has made Paeroa “World Famous in New Zealand” and overseas.
The Karangahake Gorge
The Karangahake Gorge is the site of the original gold rush in 1875 and steeped in gold mining history.
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