What a day! Two incredibly different experiences but both wonderful and ones we’ll remember for a long time.
First up was Waitomo: a 2.5hr journey south of Auckland, and home to hundreds of limestone caves. Waitomo comes from the Māori words “wai” (water) and “tomo” (hole/shaft). The caves were first explored in 1887 by local Māori Tane Tinorau and Englishman Fred Mace – they surveyed the caves by candlelight on a flax raft going into the caves by a stream that goes underground.
We weren’t allowed to take any photos inside the caves as this would disturb the glowworms but it was a truly magical experience. First, we were taken on a guided walking tour through some of the caves – limestone formations of all different shapes and sizes surrounding us. Then, we hopped into a boat that was manoeuvred by our guide simply by using ropes attached to the walls of the caves around us. We were told not to make a sound as he navigated his way through the caves in the darkness. The reward for our silence was thousands of glowworms lighting up the caves like a constellation of stars. Simply breathtaking.
Next up – the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata. This was an absolute dream come true for Kate, who first read J.R.R Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings when she was 11 years old (and many more times since!) and has been dreaming of visiting since watching the films with her dad in the early 2000s.
The whole set is beautifully thought-out right down to the smallest detail. We certainly fancied living in a few of the hobbit houses!
After many hobbit hole viewings, we reached Bag End (Bilbo and Frodo Baggins’ home) and from there continued our journey to The Green Dragon (one of the many inns in the Shire) for a drink.
Following these two adventures, we headed towards our next destination and home for the next 3 nights – Rotorua. A quick dip in the hotel pool and hot tub and we were ready for bed!
Coyle Family Adventures 