In December of 2017, I traveled to Australia for a couple weeks and decided to stop in New Zealand on the way. I booked the stopover primarily to break up the long flight to Australia, but also to have a kind of preview of the country. My only regret is not staying longer!
From the geothermal pools in Rotorua, to the picturesque Hobbiton movie set, the island is absolute paradise. The country is completely self-sustainable, which is rather unique since most countries rely heavily on imports.
The iconic kiwi bird, which is nocturnal and doesn’t fly, is the cutest and most aggressive little creature.
The flight landed early in the morning and I went straight from the airport to hire a car. They drive on the opposite side of the road, which surprisingly feels quite natural. The trip started right away with a packed first day!
Bridal Veil Falls
Hobbiton
When the filming occurred for the Lord of the Rings, the Shire was constructed in the rolling hills to create Hobbiton. After filming, the scene was mostly taken down. some 10 years or so later, prior to filming the Hobbit, the area was rebuilt, but this time the owners of the land requested that the scene be built and left permanently. Now, Hobbiton employs a full staff of gardeners and florists to keep the ground lush and colorful.
Cathedral Cove: (the Windows 10 screen saver)
Cathedral cove is a bit of a hike in, but definitely worth it. Its a gorgeous view, peering through the cove to see the waves crashing in on the other side. 2017 camera phones didn’t do the cove any justice.
Rotorua
Rotorua has a plethora of geothermal pools, natural hot springs, and mud pools. The area is also rich in Māori culture. It was a quick stop in Rotorua since I was a bit short on time, but the city didn’t disappoint.
