Hobbiton™ Movie Set
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North Island
Rotorua
Te Rotorua nui ā Kahumatamomoe
Shaped by geothermal forces and generations of Māori tradition, Rotorua feels unlike anywhere else.
6 Tours Visit Here
Kauri, Koromiko, Kōwhai, Pōhutukawa, Rimu, Tōtara
1 Customisable Day
Choose your own adventure
Discover Rotorua
Located in the heart of New Zealand's North Island, Rotorua is a place where the earth feels alive. Set among sparkling lakes, lush forests, and otherworldly geothermal landscapes, it is a region of bubbling pools, erupting geysers, and stories passed down through generations. Rich Māori heritage and a powerful connection to the land give Rotorua a sense of place that feels both deeply rooted and unforgettable.
Pacific Ring of Fire
Rotorua sits within the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world's most geologically active regions.
Birthplace of Māori Tourism
Rotorua has welcomed visitors to experience Māori culture for more than a century
Sulphur in the Air
The region's famous sulphur scent comes from the geothermal activity that powers its geysers and hot springs.
Stories of Tarawera
The dramatic 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera remains one of New Zealand's most significant historic events.
Rotorua’s story begins beneath the earth. Sitting within the Pacific Ring of Fire, the region is shaped by powerful geothermal forces that create steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, hot springs and erupting geysers. Māori communities have lived within this remarkable landscape for centuries, forming deep connections with its lakes, forests and thermal waters.
Rotorua later became known as the birthplace of Māori tourism, welcoming visitors to experience local hospitality and the legendary Pink and White Terraces. Once described as the “eighth wonder of the world,” the terraces were destroyed during the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera, which also buried the village of Te Wairoa and dramatically reshaped the surrounding landscape.
Today, steam drifts through city parks, the scent of sulphur lingers in the air and Māori culture remains a living part of everyday life. In Rotorua, geology, history and culture are inseparable, giving the region a character that feels both ancient and constantly alive.
What You'll Experience
Some of New Zealand's most treasured experiences, all part of your time in Rotorua.
Te Puia
No visit to Rotorua would be complete without a stop at Te Puia, where you can explore Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, home to the spectacular Pōhutu Geyser. Discover the nation’s centre for Māori arts and crafts, where traditional carving and weaving skills are passed down through generations, then visit the Kiwi Conservation Centre to see New Zealand’s treasured national bird and learn about kiwi conservation. At Te Puia, it is part of their culture to welcome, guide, entertain and treat every visitor like part of the whānau (family).
The Pōhutu Geyser is the Southern Hemisphere's largest active geyser and erupts up to 30 metres into the air.
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Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley on a self-guided walk through the geothermal landscape created by the devastating 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera. Pass boiling craters, jewel-coloured lakes, native bush, rare thermal plants and varied birdlife before cruising across Lake Rotomahana. See geothermal features from the water, hear the story of Guide Sophia and visit the site of the legendary Pink and White Terraces, once considered the eighth wonder of the world, while new silica terraces slowly form nearby.
Frying Pan Lake is the world’s largest hot spring, while Waimangu is recognised as the world’s youngest geothermal system.
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Hobbiton™ Movie Set
Step into the real Middle-earth on a guided tour of the enchanting Hobbiton™ Movie Set, created for Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Explore the ten-acre site as your guide reveals how this beautiful Waikato farmland became the Shire, passing colourful Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Millhouse and other familiar landmarks. At Bagshot Row, step inside one of two beautifully detailed Hobbit Holes for an authentic glimpse into the imagined everyday life of a Hobbit.
The movie set was created within the Alexander family’s 1,250-acre sheep and beef farm, chosen by filmmakers for its rolling green hills and unspoilt rural setting.
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Te Pā Tū
Visit Te Pā Tū for a memorable evening experience and feast which is aligned to and changes with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar). Feast on Māori song, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) amidst towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Hākari (feasting) begins with forest horotai (canapés) and culminates in a lavish four-course fusion feast. Hāngī is featured in varied seasonal menus designed by Māori chefs served to table in the wharekai (dining room).
During summer months, Tū Te Rā celebrates harvest and concepts concerning ancient Māori warfare and peace. Over winter months, Tū Te Ihi celebrates the Matariki star cluster with mystical ritual, energy, and passion.
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Redwood Daytime Treewalk ™
Majestical and magical, the Redwoods Treewalk ™ in the Whakarewarewa Forest is truly a walk to remember. Suspended high above the floor, you’ll walk across 28 eco-suspended bridges and platforms while traversing between 75 metre-tall redwoods that are 120 years old. The elevated walkways give walkers a unique view of the native undergrowth below from up to 20 metres above the ground. At 700-metres long, the walkway allows plenty of time to appreciate the beauty of the forest, offering a perspective quite different from what you experience on the ground.
Known to locals simply as ‘The Redwoods’, the 55,000ha Whakarewarewa Forest is a playground for mountain bikers, walkers, hikers and horse riders.
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Ōkere Falls Bush Walk
On the way to Rotorua, pause at Ōkere Falls Scenic Reserve for a 30-minute bush walk beside the Kaituna River. The reserve’s walking tracks lead to four picturesque waterfalls, with scenic lookouts offering views over the river as it rushes through steep, forested ravines. Along the way, interpretation panels share stories of the area’s natural landscape and cultural history.
The reserve’s waterfalls include the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world.
Customise Your Day Here
Rotorua offers a Your Choice day, where guests pick one of two included excursions. Choose the raw geothermal drama of the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, or step into Middle-earth at the Hobbiton™ Movie Set. Either way, the evening at Te Pā Tū is shared by the whole group.
Option A
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Half Day (8:30am - 1:30pm)
Walk through the extraordinary landscape created by the devastating 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera, which buried local Māori villages and destroyed the world-famous Pink and White Terraces. Follow self-guided trails through the world’s youngest geothermal system, passing native bush filled with native birds, volcanic craters, jewel-coloured lakes and rare thermal plants. Then cruise across Lake Rotomahana, taking in its geothermal scenery while hearing the story of Guide Sophia and the colourful history of the eruption, the lake and its lost terraces.
- Walk through the world’s youngest geothermal valley
- See volcanic craters and jewel-coloured lakes
- Cruise across Lake Rotomahana
- Uncover the story of the eruption and lost terraces
Explore this option
Option B
Hobbiton™ Movie Set
Half Day (7:55am - 2:15pm)
Step into the enchanting world of the Shire at Hobbiton™ Movie Set, created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Follow your guide through the rolling green hills, hearing fascinating stories of how this beautiful Waikato farmland was transformed for the screen. Wander among the Hobbit Holes and discover familiar landmarks including The Millhouse and Green Dragon Inn. At Bagshot Row, step inside one of two beautifully detailed Hobbit Holes for an immersive glimpse into everyday Hobbit life and the magic behind the films.
- Wander through the rolling hills of the Shire
- See iconic Hobbiton™ Movie Set landmarks
- Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories
- Step inside a beautifully detailed Hobbit Hole
Explore this option
Available on: One excursion is included on every Pure Discoveries® tour that stays in Rotorua. You choose your option when you book.
Where You'll Stay in Rotorua
1-2 nights
Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Next to mystical Lake Rotorua and a short stroll from the city centre, Millennium Hotel Rotorua is an eco-friendly stay in New Zealand's geothermal heartland. Rooms feature views of Lake Rotorua or native gardens, with multiple on-site dining options and The Spa Rotorua.
- City centre location
- Multiple on-site dining options
- Heated indoor swimming pool
- Fitness centre
On Tour in Rotorua
See how this destination features on our small-group tours.
How Pure Discoveries® Visits
On tours travelling to Rotorua from the Coromandel, enjoy the Ōkere Falls Bush Walk before arriving in the region. All our tours visiting Rotorua explore the geothermal valley, Kiwi Conservation Centre and New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia. You’ll also immerse yourself in Māori culture through seasonal ceremony, storytelling and feasting at Te Pā Tū.
The Tōtara Tour spends one night in Rotorua and also includes the elevated Redwood Daytime Treewalk ™ among towering Californian redwoods. Other tours visiting Rotorua stay for two nights and include the opportunity to customise your tour with a Your Choice experience. Choose to visit the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, exploring one of the world’s youngest geothermal systems, or Hobbiton™ Movie Set, where the enchanting world of the Shire awaits.
Tours That Explore Rotorua
These Pure Discoveries® tours include Rotorua in their itinerary.
Both Islands
23Days
Days 7-8 here
A 23-day guided journey across both islands, designed as the full New Zealand experience. A seamless adventure for travellers who want the complete story.
Featured Experience: Discover the beauty of the Bay of Islands, shaped by its sparkling coastlines
Both Islands
20Days
Days 7-8 here
A 20-day guided journey across both islands, designed for travellers who want New Zealand's coastal beauty at the heart of the trip, alongside classic New Zealand highlights.
Featured Experience: Discover the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, steeped in New Zealand's history
Both Islands
20Days
Days 4-5 here
A 20-day guided journey across both islands, designed for travellers who want the classic two-island experience with a deeper South Island ending.
Featured Experience: Journey through native forest on the Driving Creek Railway
Both Islands
17Days
Days 4-5 here
A 17-day guided journey across both islands, designed as a shorter two-island adventure that still delivers New Zealand's big bucket list moments.
Featured Experience: Discover Cathedral Cove, one of New Zealand's most iconic coastal sights
Both Islands
12Days
Days 2-3 here
A 12-day guided journey across both islands, perfect for those wanting the cultural and geothermal highlights of the North before a fuller South Island adventure.
Featured Experience: Walk elevated forest pathways on the Redwoods Treewalk in Rotorua
North Island
11Days
Days 7-8 here
An 11-day guided journey through the North Island, from top to bottom, designed for travellers who want the full North Island experience woven into one complete journey.
Featured Experience: Discover the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, steeped in New Zealand's history
Nearby Places
More to explore around Rotorua
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