Hike through Middle-earth

Before we set off in Rotorua, we spent another day at the Agroventure Park outside the city.

In addition to jet boating and giant swing, the main attraction is the wind tunnel.

This simulates a parachute jump by overcoming gravity with a huge wind turbine and trying to maintain balance while floating in the air.

On the same day, we took the night bus to get to Taupo.

After the first day in Taupo, we were picked up in the morning at 6 o'clock by shuttle to start the 19.4 kilometer long 'Tongariro Alpine Crossing' in the Tongariro National Park almost 2 hours later.

This famous day hike passes by the active volcano Mount Ngauruhoe, better known as Mount Doom from 'The Lord of the Rings'. Once you reach the highest point of the route, the 'Red Crater', you are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the plain and the surrounding mountains. And as if that wasn't enough, shortly afterwards you come across the so-called 'Emerald Lakes', emerald green crater lakes that get their color from dissolved volcanic minerals.

Afterwards, you go back down towards the valley, which leads through a forest with various shades of green towards the end.

When we set off on our way back to Taupo, exhausted, we knew why the Crossing is considered one of the most beautiful in all of New Zealand or even worldwide.

To recover from the challenging hike the next day, we decided to visit the Hot Springs in Spa Park a few kilometers north of Taupo.

Here, the thermal water from the hot springs of Otumuheke meets the cold water of the Waikato River. The temperature transition is sometimes so fast that you can stand with one leg in warm water and with the other in cold river water. Thanks to these transitions of different temperatures, you can choose a spot to relax that is neither too warm nor too cold, depending on your personal preference.

Today, we continue our route towards the south and drive to Napier, before reaching New Zealand's capital, Wellington, in a few days.