Northern delights

New Zealand’s North Island shines with vibrant cities and spectacular natural delights. Here are HELEN HAYES pick of the best places to visit with kids.

- HELEN HAYES

Waikato

This wild region brings you back down to Earth... Middle Earth, that is. It is where you’ll find Hobbiton, the home of lovable characters Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry. This location was the actual film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies and a tour will keep every member of the family enthralled.

From Middle Earth, head underground to explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where you and the kids can do one of several tours in this subterranean wonderland. These caves don’t just have the usual stalagmites and stalactites, they have beautiful streams that are lit by millions of glowworms. Choose a guided walk, a hairraising black water rafting adventure, or float your way through the caves by boat.

While in the Waikato area, take the kids on one of many mountain bike trails, go for a walk in Mt Pirongia Forest Park, surf at Raglan, one of New Zealand’s best surfing beaches, or make your own spa at the Te Puia hot pools on Ocean Beach, where hot springs bubble to the surface.

Auckland