Vacation Rentals & Apartments in Waikato

1. Hobbiton in New Zealand

The Hobbiton Movie Set was a significant location used for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and The Hobbit film series. It is situated on a family run farm about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of Hinuera and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) southwest of Matamata, in Waikato, New Zealand, and is now a Tolkien tourism destination, offering a guided tour of the set.

2. Greatest Chocolate in New Zealand

New Zealand also knows how to satisfy fans of sweet, bitter, smooth, or creamy. It’s no surprise that premium dairy makes for excellent chocolate, and there’s plenty to taste in New Zealand. We’ve rounded up top five chocolate destinations to take your taste buds on a sweet adventure. Just north of Wellington in charming Greytown, Schoc Chocolatiers were pioneers of wondrous filled chocolates and their list of delights is a chocolate-lover’s dream come true. At Schoc, and in Auckland’s history-filled seaside suburb of Devonport at Devonport Chocolates, you’ll see the chocolatiers at work behind the counte.

3. Highly developed transportation and industrial hub

Transport in New Zealand, with its mountainous topography, and a relatively small population mostly located near its long coastline, has always faced many challenges. Before Europeans arrived, Māori either walked or used watercraft on rivers or along the coasts. Later on, European shipping and railways revolutionised the way of transporting goods and people, before being themselves overtaken by road and air, which are nowadays the dominant forms of transport. However, bulk freight still continues to be transported by coastal shipping and by rail transport, and there are attempts to (re)introduce public transport as a major transport mode in the larger population centres. Historically very car-dependent, transport funding in New Zealand is still heavily dominated by money for road projects–in 2010 the government proposed to spend $21 billion on roading infrastructure after 2012, yet only $0.7 billion on other transport projects (public transport, walking and cycling). This was criticised by opponents as irresponsible, in light of increasing fuel prices and congestion.[1] Public transport is primarily a local government responsibility whereas state highways are the responsibility of central government.

4. Silence place in New Zealand

New Zealand, relaxing places for travellers, and a perfect destination for nature lovers. What’s more soothing than the birdsong found in places like the Tasman Region, Te Anau, the West Coast and perhaps the most pristine of them all, Stewart Island. For beach lovers, lets just say that in New Zealand, you’re never too far from a beautiful beach. After a day’s tramping, bike-ride or general explore, isn’t it great to return back to your accommodation for a bit more peace and quiet – combined with a dash of luxurious comfort. If you’re driving for long distances at a time, you’ll definitely be able to stop and refresh at a roadside reserve complete with a picnic table.

5. World Gourmet in New Zealand

Food glorious food. Gourmet New Zealand, is a trip in its own right, as the country is full of culinary delights, from fresh seafood to home grown roasted lamb and even great chocolate confectioneries. New Zealand is also rather famously known for its wine; therefore visitors could spend their holiday indulging if nothing else. For vineyards, a great place to start is Hawke's Bay on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. From Hawke's Bay, drive via rolling green countryside to the south east coast of the North Island (90 minutes by road from Wellington) and visit Martinborough wine growing region for private guided tours, as well as great cuisine, hiking, horse riding and clay shooting on the estate. For more varieties of vineyard locations hop on a ferry or domestic flight across the Cook Strait to Blenheim and the province of Marlborough at the top of the South Island. The Marlborough region is endowed with beautiful landscapes and is well known around the world for its wines. Also a great gourmet spot, the local speciality is huge green-lipped mussels, perfect with a crisp glass or two of Marlborough wine. Spend a day of private guided touring in this renowned wine growing area featuring some of the best Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand has to offer. Other activities available in the vicinity include whale-watching, fly fishing on one of the many local rivers and boat trips on the Marlborough Sounds waterways. Sharing a coastline with Marlborough is The Abel Tasman National Park, where food and wine remains first class with a heavy focus on local seafood; many great restaurants are located along the winding 30 mile coastal track. What better way to compliment fine wine than with fine food. All of the food is very fresh in New Zealand, and they are very proud of this. If visitors want fresh mussels, Bluff oysters, crayfish, you name it, they will have it. The great thing about New Zealand is that there are many coastal options to visit, so it would be criminal if the seafood wasn't fresh. As well as mouth watering seafood, the meat and fresh produce are second to none in quality and variety. Those who think the British do a good roast clearly haven't tried a gourmet Kiwi one.

6. Hills in New Zealand /h3>The Bombay Hills are a range of hills to the south of Auckland, New Zealand. Though only a small and seemingly insignificant range of hills, they lie at the southern boundary of the Auckland region, and serve as a divide between Auckland and the Waikato region. There is a 19th-century settlement, Bombay, on the old main road south of Auckland, the Great South Road. Aucklanders and other New Zealanders have a mostly light-hearted "love-hate" relationship. Stereotypically, Aucklanders view parts of the country "south of the Bombay Hills" as provincial and unsophisticated, while the rest of the country sees Aucklanders as brash and arrogant. For this reason, the boundary between Auckland and its southern neighbours bears great significance. People on both sides of the boundary are as likely to use the phrase "New Zealand stops at the Bombay Hills"