Being big Lord of the Rings fans, we were delighted to visit the Lord of the Rings movie set, Hobbiton. Home of the Hobbits and the best Pub in the World - the Green Dragon!

Tauranga is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. It was settled by Māori late in the 13th century and by Europeans in the early 19th century.

Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is known for its geothermal activity, and features geysers – notably the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools.

In Rotorua we ate one night at the Skyline, which sits atop a mountain and featured a really great Smorgasboard dinner, with the most amazing views! The CableCar ride up and down is brilliant too!

Lake Taupo is a lake situated in the North Island of New Zealand. With a surface area of 616 square kilometres (238 sq mi), it is the largest lake by surface area in New Zealand, and the second largest freshwater lake by surface area in geopolitical Oceania after Lake Murray (Papua New Guinea).

Geraldine is a town in the Canterbury Region on the South Island of New Zealand. It is about 140 km south of Christchurch, and inland from Timaru, which is 35 km to the south. Geraldine has a country village atmosphere, with majestic old forests, early settlers cottages and little arts and crafts corners.

We found a great little motor museum in Geraldine! Many cars are owned by members of the local car club, which runs the musuem.

Renowned for the stunning blue water of the lake, definitely a must-see. It was COLD there!

The Moeraki Boulders are unusually large and spherical boulders lying along a stretch of Koekohe Beach

Dunedin is a really pleasant place. The Toitu Otago Settlers Museum is fantastic!

Larnach Castle is an imposing mansion on the ridge of the Otago Peninsula within the limits of the city of Dunedin

We visited the Royal Albatross Center at Taiaroa Head but weren't lucky enough to see the bird which brings bad luck (??)

Te Anau and it's lake were an unexpected surprise. Absolutely beautiful area, loads to see and do!

No trip to New Zealand would be complete without a cruise on the Milford Sound. It delivers.

Just outside of Queenstown is an old gold mining town which still retains heaps of character and touristy stuff!

My first trip to Queenstown (Many years ago) was in mid-winter. We had beautiful weather, which was much nicer :)

After our great evening at Skyline Rotorua, we just had to try Skyline Queenstown. Not as good, but the views were just breath-taking.

The last part of our journey took us along the west coast, and some of the most amazing scenery we've ever seen. And we finally hit some rain, pretty much the first of the trip.

Arthurs Pass crosses the mountains between the West Coast and Christchurch. Un-be-leivable!