5 things you never knew you could try in New Zealand

Tolkein fans, this is one experience you’ll hold close to your heart for years to come: a guided tour around the Hobbiton movie set during dusk. This four-hour tour leads you through The Shire, a massive 12 acre site, before ending with a banquet fit for any hungry hobbit. Dinner will be served at the famed Green Dragon Inn, an iconic watering hole for all hobbits of The Shire. And since these tufty-eared creatures gobble down seven meals a day – it’s bound to be a sprawling feast, and you’ll eagerly be helping yourself to second serves. 

End the night with a stroll through Hobbiton, lanterns of the hobbit-holes flickering and chimneys puffing happily away. It’s both a postcard view and a once-in-a-lifetime experience, indeed. 

It’s exactly how it sounds: you can cook your own traditional feast by using an earth oven. Known as hangi, this centuries-old way of cooking involves digging a pit in the ground, and placing fire-heated rocks at the bottom before placing baskets of food atop. You can experience a traditional steam hangi at indigenous villages like Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village Te Puia, or Te Pa Tu. 

With traditional hangi, you’ll see fresh produce like sweet potato, pumpkin, and cabbage, along with proteins like fish, pork, and lamb. Whatever it is, the slow-cooking process infuses a delightfully smoky and earthy aroma into the food. Other traditional Maori foods like the fermented rewena (potato) bread and the bitter Kawakawa leaves are also worth a try. 

Since New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most picturesque nature spots, it’s not exactly a surprise that they’re filled with scenic sights at every corner. And that includes hot springs, fuelled by volcanic thermal activity. Traditionally, hot springs were used for everything from cooking to bathing – today, they’re recognised for their mineral-rich waters with medicinal properties. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a warm soak while admiring the lush greenery and dramatic mountain peaks of New Zealand? 

In any case, practically every corner of this country has a unique hot spring experience. From lounging on a floating hammock at Tekapo Springs Hot Pools to soaking your tired muscles in your own private wooden tub at Te Aroha Mineral Spas, make sure to include New Zealand’s top hot pools in your travel itinerary. 

While New Zealand’s filled with picture-perfect scenery above ground, there’s also plenty happening right under your feet. Take a trip to North Island’s Waitomo Caves – it’s known for housing thousands of glowworms, setting the caves aglow with a magical blue hue. Here, you’ll be leisurely exploring the labyrinth of Waitomo with a guided boat tour.  

For those seeking adventure, there is also black water rafting where you can explore the caves on a rubber tube. This three-hour adventure lets you float down an underground river, under a sky of glow worms. There are also abseiling and zip-lining sessions – perfect if you’re an adrenaline junkie since it’s all done through complete darkness. 

There’s no need to take a far-flung trip to the other side of the globe when you can experience the same stunning aurora displays while holidaying in New Zealand. Known as aurora australis aka the southern lights, this visual phenomenon can only be witnessed at the extreme north or south regions. Along with many other New Zealand activities, marvelling at the southern lights makes for a memorable experience – it’s certainly a sight to behold. 

Head over to Dunedin’s Otago Peninsula on South Island’s southeast coast during the months of March and September for the best chance to see the southern lights. On a clear night, you’ll see spectacular lights painted across the skies, along with flickering reflections dancing along the waterfront. 

When you fly with Air New Zealand from Singapore, flights start from just $1,364. This award-winning airline has a convenient network of more than 20 domestic connections – there’s every reason for you to book your flight now.

Find what you seek in New Zealand here.