Cambridge attractions

At the Hobbiton Movie Set in the heart of the Waikato region, you’ll step into the Shire as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. The set sits on the Alexander family sheep farm, with the Kaimai Ranges rising in the distance. Your guide will escort you across the site, pointing out the most famous locations, showing the intricate detailing and explaining how the movie magic was made. You’ll be fully guided around the 12-acre set, walking past the colourful Hobbit Hole doors that scatter the hillsides and through the areas that bring the film landscapes to life. Along the way you’ll arrive at Bagshot Row for a glimpse of the interior of a humble Hobbit’s home. The tour ends at the world-famous Green Dragon Inn, where you’ll receive a complimentary, exclusive Hobbit Southfarthing beverage to conclude your visit to Middle-earth.

Explore the underground world of Ruakuri Cave with two Blackwater Rafting options that take you into a completely natural cave environment. On the Black Labyrinth you’ll float on a tube through the cave’s natural streamway, jump off two small waterfalls (the highest is 1.5 metres) and pass beneath an impressive display of glowworms. Along the way you’ll navigate the cave’s stream and enjoy the unique atmosphere created by the glowworm light above. The Black Abyss offers a more adventurous route. You’ll abseil 35 metres into the cave, zipline across a river beneath a grotto of glowworms, then continue by tube through the cave’s natural streamway. The Black Labyrinth is available to participants aged 12 years and older who weigh at least 45 kg; the Black Abyss requires participants to be at least 16 years old and to weigh at least 45 kg. An average level of fitness and mobility is required for both tours. As these activities take place in a natural cave setting, guides have final discretion on whether you are able to participate.

On this two-hour guided tour, you’ll have the chance to discover the Hobbiton Movie Set, a significant location used for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies, in the heart of New Zealand’s Waikato region. Your guide will drive you across the farmland that served as the pastures of the Shire, and share stories about how the area was transformed into scenes from Middle Earth. You’ll also have the opportunity to see hobbit holes and other Hobbiton landmarks, and get to savor a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.

On this small-group tour, you'll have the opportunity to visit Hobbiton – an iconic location in J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Hobbit' novels that was subsequently built for the films. During your visit, you'll get a chance to take photos of Hobbit holes, enjoy a drink at The Green Dragon Inn and learn more about New Zealand from an expert guide.

During this experience, you'll have the opportunity to join a guide on a walk through Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari – a protected ecological area home to an ancient forest, wetland and endangered wildlife including takahē, tuatara and kiwi. During daytime tours, you'll be able to follow winding pathways through the forest and Tautari wetland while listening as your guide explains more about local flora and fauna as well as the sanctuary's conservation efforts. You'll also be able to take an optional walk up to the viewing tower for a look over the forest canopy.

Bullswool Farm & Nature Park in the Southern Coromandel offers an authentic, hands-on New Zealand farm experience that’s suitable for all ages. You will follow farm walking tracks and get up close to a variety of rare-breed farm animals. The animals are friendly and can be handfed, so you’ll have plenty of chances for close encounters and photo moments as you move through the grounds. Along the way you can explore the Sheepshed Museum and the Early NZ Milking Shed Museum, and wander the Native Bird Reserve. There are also fantastic kids' play areas for younger visitors. You may learn about early farming life and local conservation efforts, reflected in the park’s Pride of New Zealand Award. Named one of the AA’s 101 Must Dos for Kiwis and voted one of the Coromandel’s best visitor attractions, Bullswool is a well-known local spot for a relaxed, rural Kiwi experience.

Your adventure begins in the late afternoon or early evening at Riverside Adventures' base in South Waikato. You will paddle along the southern edge of Lake Karapiro and pass over the old submerged Horahora Dam, which once produced electricity for the early Waihi goldfields. Along the way you'll hear about the history of the Horahora village and enjoy the twilight quiet as the day draws to an end. As night falls you will paddle slowly up the Pokaiwhenua Stream and through a canyon carved by water over hundreds of years. Native ferns and trees drape overhead and bird life surrounds you as you move through the narrowing waterway. When darkness arrives you will float silently back downstream, guided by glow worms on either side that sparkle like Christmas lights.

Leaving from Hamilton, this full-day experience blends New Zealand’s geothermal wonders, natural beauty and quirky rural landmarks into a single journey. You’ll witness the dramatic eruption of Lady Knox Geyser and explore the colourful pools of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, taking in vivid mineral terraces and steaming thermal features that highlight Rotorua’s geothermal landscape. As you move through the area, you’ll walk beneath the towering Redwoods of Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest and see the crystal-clear Blue Spring in Putaruru, the source of much of New Zealand’s bottled water. Along the way there’s a fun stop in Tirau to admire the town’s corrugated iron Dog and Sheep buildings, an example of local character and craft. The itinerary combines Rotorua’s geothermal marvels with the calm of Putaruru’s Blue Spring and the charm of small rural towns, giving you a varied mix of nature, culture and local flavour in one cohesive trip.

On the Spellbound Glowworm Cave and Explorer Tour in New Zealand, you will explore dramatic underground spaces led by an expert guide. As you move through the caves, you will learn about the geology and history and see impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Along the way the guide will explain the formations and the natural processes that shaped them. You will enter the Glowworm Grotto to experience its bioluminescent display. A serene boat ride through the grotto will let you gaze up at thousands of glowworms whose lights can resemble a starry night sky. Your guide will offer insights into the glowworms’ life cycle and their ecological importance. Photography is allowed in the caves, and the group size is kept small — only 11 guests — so you will have an intimate experience.

Hobbiton Waitomo Caves Hobbiton & Waitomo Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves including lunch

Based in central Hamilton, this immersive escape experience puts you in the shoes of a struggling journalist following a strange set of lights and a sudden explosion. As you move through a realistic government-site scenario, you’ll piece together scattered clues and use observation and logic to work out what is happening. Along the way you’ll encounter puzzles, coded messages and physical challenges that require teamwork and sharp thinking. You’ll team up with friends or family to investigate, examine props and solve interconnected puzzles that reveal more of the story as you progress. The challenge is designed to be demanding (difficulty level 4/5) but still suitable for mixed groups; its family-friendliness is rated 3/5, so younger players may need help from older teammates. Expect a tense, investigative atmosphere where quick thinking and collaboration are rewarded as you try to uncover the secret behind the secure site before staff return.

Set out from Epworth camp and paddle along the Waikato River toward the Pokaiwhenua stream. As you move through the canyon lined with native ferns, the environment gradually shifts with the light. When twilight sets in, the canyon is transformed into a glowworm display that you’ll watch from the water. Along the way you’ll pause by a cosy campfire to enjoy some of New Zealand’s finest wines and delicious cheeses. After this break, you’ll glide back downstream, travelling under the soft illumination of the glowworms. The experience presents a calm alternative to traditional cave visits and is led by certified, experienced Boatshed guides who will be with you throughout.

On this guided canyon kayak tour on the Waikato River, you will spend time on the water during the daytime and enjoy a quiet, immersive paddling experience. As you move through the river, you will learn about the history of the submerged village and hear about its past. The guided format means you will be accompanied while you take in the surroundings and the stories tied to the area. You will paddle slowly up the Pokaiwhenua Stream and through a canyon that has been carved out by water over many hundreds of years. Along the way, you will have time to appreciate the calm of the river and the sculpted rock walls of the canyon as your guide shares information about the local history.

This full-day rainforest getaway in Northland on New Zealand’s North Island takes you into native forest with a guide. As you move through the canopy, the guide will point out and explain some of the native flora and fauna for which the North Island is known. You’ll learn about plant species and wildlife habitats while exploring trails and shaded forest areas. You’ll have lunch at a forest camp, then choose from a selection of further activities. Options typically include bird-watching, flower-spotting, or catching (and releasing) crayfish in the streams. Along the way you’ll have time to pause, listen and look for interesting plants and animals, and enjoy the quiet of the forest environment. The experience is paced for relaxed exploration and observation, with choices to suit different interests.

This private door-to-door airport shuttle service is provided by NZ authorised land transport. You will use a dedicated transfer that collects you at your chosen address and takes you directly to the airport, or meets you at the airport and delivers you to your destination. The service is private, so you will not share the vehicle with other passengers. Along the way you will travel on the usual routes between your door and the airport, with a focus on a professional approach to the whole experience. The provider guarantees a professional approach to their service, so you can expect a straightforward, single‑vehicle transfer designed to reduce the usual hassle of getting to or from the airport. This option suits travellers who prefer privacy and a direct connection without stops for other passengers.