Things to do in Tirau

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

Join us and experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey on a short bus ride through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will escort you on a shared walking tour around the movie set, showcasing the intricate details, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how movie magic was made here. △ Immerse yourself in the fairy tale town of The Hobbit △ Ejoy the fenced garden and the mirror lake △ Admire New Zealand's stunning scenery

No. 3 of Spring Outings in Waikato

Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway

Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway is located near Putaruru on the North Island of New Zealand. The spring water here comes from the underground aquifer of the Mamaku Plateau and emerges exceptionally pure after being slowly filtered through volcanic rock layers for decades or even centuries. It is this purity that gives the spring water its almost unreal blue-green color. The pools are over 10 m deep, yet underwater visibility still reaches tens of meters. On sunny days, the water plants, pebbles, and swimming trout are clearly visible, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and photographers. When visiting, you can choose your route based on your fitness level. Starting from the Leslie Road entrance near the spring source, it is an approx. 1 km walk along a flat trail to reach the viewing platform. If you want to walk the entire trail, it is approx. 4.7 km one way, winding along the stream through native bush, wetlands, and pastures, accompanied by birdsong.

Bag End

Bag End, this charming country cottage, was the inspiration for renowned author J.R.R. Tolkien. It is located on a green hillside in the town of Matamata, surrounded by peaceful farmland, with stone walls covered in green turf and an arched door that exudes an ancient and mysterious air.

Tirau Domain

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in North Island

Agrodome

The Agrodome Farm in Rotorua, North Island, is New Zealand's largest, state-of-the-art tourist farm with an area of about 150 hectares. Here you can meet red deer, turkeys, ostriches, alpacas, cows, lambs and many other animals you have never seen before. The farm has performances such as shearing and milking every day, which are very exciting and fun. The iconic sheep shearing bronze statue and the ancient carriage frame are displayed at the entrance of the farm. The Agrodun Farm covers a large area. To visit the pastoral area, you need to take a sightseeing tractor and set off on the tractor. You will see groups of people along the way. Cows and sheep grazing leisurely by the roadside. The tractor will stop in an open meadow, and nearby sheep will come running to surround you. In the alpaca area, the tall alpaca has a very docile temperament, and you can interact and take photos with them. In addition to getting up close and personal with various animals, you can visit the farm orchard, see the kiwi fruit trees, and taste the unique taste of kiwi honey. After the farm tour, go to watch the farm show. There are demonstrations of sheep shearing, sheep auctions, shepherd dog performances, etc. The host will also invite tourists to come on stage to milk the cows and compete for feeding lambs and drinking goat milk, which is very interesting. Visitors to the farm show can also visit the animal pup nursery. Before leaving, check out the WoollenMill, ShearingShedMuseum and DogandWhistle souvenir shops.

Matamata

Matamata is a filming location for The Lord of the Rings films. Anyone who has seen The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit film series will surely be captivated by the settings where the Hobbits lived. Here, you can follow a guide to experience the scenes from the movies, making it a destination that fans of The Lord of the Rings are surely looking forward to visiting.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in North Island

Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ

Te Puia - Rotorua, NZ is located in the geothermal valley of Rotorua, New Zealand, and is an attraction that combines Maori cultural displays with geothermal views. The park is home to the famous Pōhutu Geyser, which can erupt more than ten times a day, with water columns shooting up dozens of meters into the air, creating a spectacular sight. In the valley, mud pools bubble and hot springs gurgle, steam fills the entire area, and the air carries a sulfurous smell, making it feel as if you are walking among clouds and mist. Cultural displays are another major feature here. The New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute is located here, and visitors can observe up close the full process of apprentices studying traditional skills in woodcarving, weaving, and stone and bone carving in the workshops. The Maori meeting house in the village features an intricately carved assembly hall, with the facade and interior walls covered in elaborate traditional wood carvings, each carrying tribal stories and genealogies. The park also recreates an early Maori traditional building complex, including low dwellings built from reeds and palm and elevated storehouses on stilts, showing the appearance of traditional Maori living spaces. In addition, there is a kiwi conservation center here, where visitors can observe this bird unique to New Zealand up close. In terms of cultural experiences, Maori song and dance performances are staged daily in the village, including a traditional welcome ceremony, the haka war dance, songs, and the poi ball dance, with performances held in the carved meeting house, creating a solemn and impressive atmosphere. When visiting, it is recommended to follow the guide to gain a deeper understanding of the Maori legends and history behind the various views in the geothermal valley.

No. 9 of Night Attractions in New Zealand

Skyline Rotorua

Skyline Rotorua is a comprehensive mountaintop leisure park on the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha. Its eight-seater cable car cabins ascend slowly along a nearly 1 km-long cableway, transporting visitors to the mountainside at approximately 487 m above sea level. As the elevation increases, views of Rotorua city, the azure Lake Rotorua, and distant geothermal steam gradually unfold below. On clear days, the silhouettes of volcanoes across the lake are also visible. The signature attraction at the mountaintop is the luge: five uniquely styled tracks totaling over 7 km in length. The cart design blends elements of go-karts and sleds, relying solely on gravity for propulsion—pulling back the handle slows you down while releasing it speeds you up, putting you in full control of your pace. For a leisurely view, you can choose the scenic Tiki Tour route, which winds through redwood forests and features multiple viewing curves along the way, passing by a row of dinosaur sculptures near the finish line. If speed is your priority, challenge yourself with the Legend Track, Tornado Track, or Speed Track, featuring continuous spiral turns and illuminated tunnels. After reaching the base, take the chairlift back to the starting point for another round—young children can also ride along with adults in the same cart. If you're brave enough, add the skyswing to your itinerary: three people seated side by side are lifted approx. 50 m above the mountaintop by a crane arm, with the drop timing controlled by pulling a release lever. The swing reaches speeds nearing 150 km/h as you soar beyond the cliff edge, culminating in a final spin. The mountain also features a high-altitude zipline overlooking the lake, a mountain bike park, and nature trails, offering activities for all preferences. After having fun, you can enjoy a buffet at the Stratosfare restaurant on the mountaintop while admiring the lake and mountain views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. For a quick break, the Market Kitchen Café offers coffee and baked goods, and the Volcano Winery's tasting room is also worth a visit. It's windy at the summit, so remember to bring a jacket.

2026 Global 50 - Hot Springs Attractions

Polynesian Spa

Polynesian spa is located on the shores of lake Rotorua, offering a secluded paradise for relaxation. For generations, visitors from around the world have come to experience the natural geothermal hot springs. The thermal waters originate from two unique springs: the acidic priest spring and the alkaline mineral-rich rachel spring. The hot spring center features 28 mineral pools across four zones, each offering a unique experience. Guests can unwind at the deluxe lake spa, a tranquil oasis with captivating lake views ideal for adults and families. The historic adults-only pavilion pools provide serene soaking options at varying temperatures, while the family pools include a freshwater swimming area with water slides alongside two alkaline mineral hot spring pools for parents. Those seeking privacy can book a private lakeside pool overlooking Lake Rotorua or opt for the sky view private pool with its open-ceiling design, offering enhanced seclusion and peaceful ambiance. Beyond bathing, wellness experiences add endless joy to your journey. Retreat Day Spa offers therapeutic services like Aix spa treatments, geothermal mud wraps and revitalizing facials. Guests can also join yoga, meditation and sound healing sessions in the wellness room - a versatile space available for private bookings, group retreats and special events. After bathing, guests can enjoy fresh, healthy meals and delicious Italian gelato at 88Ra café. The Spa Essentials gift shop offers carefully curated premium spa products, high-quality swimwear, plush towels and wellness items, allowing guests to recreate the blissful experience at home. The Polynesian Spa is conveniently located in the heart of Rotorua with easy transportation access. It offers ample free parking, and the campervan parking area is just across the street. The Polynesian Spa boasts a rich geothermal heritage, diverse wellness services and breathtaking natural scenery, making it a global sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. Learn more now and plan your itinerary.

No. 2 of Spring Outings in New Zealand

Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Forest

Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Forest is adjacent to the urban area of Rotorua and is one of the early forest areas in New Zealand for exotic tree species introduction trials. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, over 170 tree species were experimentally planted here to determine which could adapt to New Zealand, particularly Rotorua's volcanic soil. Today, only a handful of these species remain, with the California coast redwoods planted in 1901 becoming the experiment's surprise success — they grow faster here than in their native California. Over a century later, they now tower skyward, forming a magnificent forest. The redwood memorial grove is the essence of the entire forest: the trail is covered with soft redwood bark chips, making each step springy; giant trees stand closely on both sides, their tops barely visible even when looking up. Among them, one particularly massive tree stands approx. 70 m tall with a trunk diameter exceeding 1.5 m, requiring several people to encircle it with outstretched arms. Native New Zealand ferns thrive beneath the trees, creating a striking scene where towering redwoods and sprawling fern fronds share the frame—a highly recognizable sight in Rotorua. The memorial grove loop takes less than 1 hr to complete, with boardwalks on some sections, making it suitable for all ages. Those with good stamina can extend their hike to the outer forest trails. This forest is also a popular destination for walking, running, and mountain cycling, with its crisscrossing trails clearly graded by difficulty. It holds considerable fame in the cycling community, attracting many who come specifically to ride the trails. Just a few minutes' drive from the city, the slanting morning or evening light filtering through the trees creates beautiful shadows and fern patterns, making these the most comfortable times for a stroll.