{"id":109617,"date":"2020-12-20T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-20T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/?p=109617"},"modified":"2020-12-21T00:44:04","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T05:44:04","slug":"can-we-please-go-there-and-back-again-touring-new-zealand-as-middle-earth-part-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/2020\/12\/20\/109617-can-we-please-go-there-and-back-again-touring-new-zealand-as-middle-earth-part-two\/","title":{"rendered":"Can We Please Go There and Back Again? Touring New Zealand As Middle-earth (Part Two)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to part two of our tips for touring New Zealand as Middle-earth. In our first segment<\/a>, we covered getting around<\/a> NZ and the Top Ten Lord of the Rings \/ The Hobbit locations<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today we’ll offer a few options for itineraries<\/a> as well some helpful additional resources<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Possible Itineraries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How to see it all, and in what order? Our Top Ten are scattered across both the big islands, and there are plenty more where those came from! Plus your time and treasure budgets may vary. So how about some options?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Map
Map of New Zealand as Middle-earth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cJust Flying Through\u201d Plan (or \u201cI\u2019ve Only Got Three Days)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Honestly, it\u2019s tempting to call this the \u201cWhy Bother?\u201d Itinerary. But perhaps you\u2019re heading to or from Australia, or Fiji, and thought you\u2019d add a \u201cquick\u201d side trip. With this brief a window, you\u2019re going to have to pick your island. There\u2019s a strong case to head south, but we\u2019ll keep Hobbiton and Weta in the mix. Here you go:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day One:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
  1. Fly to Auckland<\/li>
  2. Drive to Matamata (2-2.5 hours)<\/li>
  3. See Hobbiton (ideally on an evening when the Green Dragon serves dinner)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    Day Two:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
    1. Drive to the Mount Ruapehu area (2.5-3 hours)<\/li>
    2. See Mordor, Emyn Muil, Gollum\u2019s stream, Mount Doom<\/li>
    3. Maybe drive part way to Wellington<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      Day Three:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
      1. Drive to Wellington (4.5 hours)<\/li>
      2. Visit the Weta\/Weta Cave, and as much of Wellington as you can fit<\/li>
      3. Ideally get up to Mount Victoria to see the first Hobbit\/Nazg\u00fbl encounter, the Rohan muster overlook, etc.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        Depart from Wellington<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

        But seriously – why bother? If you can stretch this to a full week, we\u2019d still suggest sticking to one island rather than spreading yourself like butter over too much bread. Consider adding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n