Waikato

After the must-see attractions of Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves, make it your quest to discover the other gems of the Waikato region.

Since featuring in The Lord of the Rings, film fans have flocked to Waikato for a glimpse of Middle-earth, but there is a lot more to get excited about in this region. Some attractions are tucked away, such as the caves and natural bridges around Waitomo, while others are hiding in plain sight. The river city of Hamilton, for example, combines a proud Māori heritage with hipster cafés and micro-breweries.