After pick-up in Auckland at 8am and a beautiful drive from Auckland to Maungatautari / Sanctuary Mountain in the Waikato region of the North Island, let us show you another world of New Zealand’s environment in the magnificent ancient forest on Maungatautari / Sanctuary Mountain. It is the country’s most ambitious conservation project. The 3,400 hectare volcano, surrounded by the world’s longest predator-proof fence, contains a land as close to the pre-human New Zealand environment as it’s possible to find. We may listen to the birds’ songs and experience native wildlife in their natural habitat during an enriching guided bush walk.
After this highly-interesting walking tour, continue to the world-famous Hobbiton Movie Set. The original setting of Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings”- and “The Hobbit” movies lies in idyllic countryside with rolling green hills, sheep farms and wonderful views towards the Kaimai Ranges to the east. You will learn all about why this location was chosen as the location for Hobbiton, how it was made and which scenes were filmed here. You get to see the Hobbit Holes and Bag End, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and the famous Party Tree. Return to Auckland after experiencing two very different but equally fascinating attractions all in one inspiring day.