Cruises From
Tauranga, New Zealand
A dream fulfilled for hobbit fans in Tauranga. This town located on the Bay of Plenty, situated on New Zealand's North Island, is merely a brief journey from the undulating hills of Waikato — here is where Hobbiton is found, the site that represented the Shire in the immensely popular "Lord of the Rings" films. However, the amazing discoveries of Tauranga continue beyond that. Sail to Tauranga and enjoy the one-hour journey to Rotorua, a geothermal paradise where you can relax in the revitalizing waters of the natural hot springs.
National Language
English
Currency Accepted
New Zealand Dollar
(NZD)
Hole Up in Hobbiton
Embark on a trip to Middle Earth, or at least visit the site where Bilbo's home in the Shire was filmed. Explore the 44 Hobbit Holes and The Green Dragon Inn to discover how Sir Peter Jackson from New Zealand filmed "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" in this location.
LOCAL CUISINE
Called the Bay of Plenty by Captain Cook, the Tauranga region boasts a rich variety of resources from both land and sea. Sail to Tauranga and enjoy lamb belly paired with charred pumpkin or local venison loin at a trendy brasserie in the heart of Tauranga. There’s wine available here as well, particularly Pinot Noir — Mills Reef Winery features a restaurant where you can enjoy imaginative, Asian-influenced meals with your selected glass.
SHOPPING
In the town of Paengaroa, roughly thirty minutes away, you will discover the Comvita production facility, a top global manufacturer of manuka honey. Take some jars home, or grab beauty items made with the sweet ingredient. Bring home a bottle of your preferred wine from a nearby vineyard, or find local jade and sterling silver jewelry — Jens Hansen Ringmakers in Nelson also creates a replica of the One Ring from Tolkien's legendary tale.