It’s all plain flat driving across the plains through farmland to a disused dairy factory for a coffee/tea break. Just a few minutes down the road is the information centre at Matamata, which resembles a hobbit house. Here you can strike a pose with the statue of Gollum.

Not far now to Hobbiton, where your local guide will escort you around the film set, containing 44 hobbit holes, Bilbo’s house – Bag End , the Mill and double arch bridge and party tree. Concluding at the Green Dragon, enjoy a complimentary beer, cider or non alcoholic ginger beer, while soaking in the atmosphere. A buffet lunch follows in the Party Marquee, next to the Green Dragon.

Departing Hobbiton, our next destination is Lake Karapiro and the Hydro-electric power station on the Waikato river for a photo stop, before crossing the dam. The majestic 797m Mt Maungatautari (Sanctuary Mountain) looms in the background.

More rolling farmland as you travel through rural small town New Zealand and into the ‘King Country”, named after the Kīngitanga (Maori King Movement) and it’s followers during the New Zealand Wars of the 1860’s. At Waitomo during your guided 45 minute tour through the cave, you’ll witness the constellations of tiny shining glow worms, it’s magnificent cathedral and intriguing stalagmites & Stalactites, before emerging from this limestone grotto by boat.