North Island New Zealand: From Bungee Jumps to Hobbiton Magic
After celebrating the New Year on Waiheke Island, we continued our journey through New Zealand’s North Island—and wow, this stretch absolutely delivered. From adrenaline and movie magic to hot springs and slow family days, this part of the trip was packed with unforgettable moments.
Auckland: A Leap of Faith & Saying Goodbye
We kicked things off back in Auckland with a serious adrenaline rush—Evan and Nay Nay went bungee jumping 😱🪂. Equal parts terrifying and exhilarating, it was the perfect reminder that this trip was all about saying yes to adventure.
This also meant saying goodbye to Nay Nay, which was tough. So grateful for the visit and the memories we made together🤍
Wairēinga & Raglan: Waterfalls and Wild Beaches
Our next stop was Wairēinga (Bridal Veil Falls). A short walk and 261 stairs later, we were rewarded with an incredible waterfall tucked into lush greenery.
From there, we headed to Raglan, where we somehow found ourselves on an amazing beach. Long walks along the shore, cricket on the sand, body surfing, and that magical feeling of having the ocean nearly to ourselves. We wrapped the day with dinner at a cozy live-music spot.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves: Nature’s Light Show
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves were pure magic ✨. We walked through ancient caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites before boarding a boat and drifting silently through total darkness—thousands of glowworms lighting up the ceiling like stars.
A few fun facts that made it even cooler:
The glowing worms are actually larvae, glowing for up to 9 months
They hang sticky strands to catch food (about 15 each!)
Adult flies live only three days, don’t eat, and exist solely to mate
Nature is wild.
Hobbiton: A Dream Come True
Next stop: HOBBITON 🧙♂️🍻. Somehow totally sold out—but thanks to some serious magic, we made it happen.
Set on the Alexander family’s working sheep farm, Hobbiton is even more charming in real life. Wandering the Shire, peeking into hobbit holes (including the Mimosa hobbit hole!), and sipping a drink at the Green Dragon felt surreal.
Some favorite behind-the-scenes gems:
39 hobbit holes were built for Lord of the Rings—only ~16 minutes of total screen time
283,000 leaves were hand-painted for the Bag End tree
The famous birthday party beer was only 1% alcohol (placebo effect worked!)
Sean Astin’s real daughter appears in the final scene—and his reaction is genuine
Truly a bucket-list experience.
A Much-Needed Reset Day
After so much adventure, we embraced a chill day at home—swimming, catching up, and resting. Jamie headed out, and the goodbye was rough, but the slow pace was exactly what we needed.
Lake Taupō: Hot Springs, Slides & Serenity
We then drove to Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake, and settled in for several dreamy days.
Highlights included:
Visiting the Kiwi House and seeing two kiwi birds (so cute!)
Playground stops and easy family dinners
Hot springs (every night, yes please)
Swimming in the lake and devouring burgers by the water
Waterslides that were way faster than expected 😅
A chilly but fun boat ride to see the Māori rock carvings
Exploring Craters of the Moon, geysers, blowholes, and Huka Falls
It was the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Napier, Wine Country & Shed 530
After packing up, haircuts, and one last park session, we hit the road again—waterfall stop included—and ended the day at Shed 530. Great wine, outdoor games, and a kid-friendly setup made it a standout.
We spent a full day in Napier enjoying breakfast at Roam, beach walks, putt putt, parks, Mission Winery, and another dinner back at Shed 530.
Wellington: Orcas & a Whirlwind Goodbye
Our North Island journey wrapped up in Wellington, where we were lucky enough to spot orca whales in the wild 🐋—an unforgettable final surprise.
From there, it was a whirlwind ferry ride over to the South Island!
This stretch of the North Island gave us everything: thrills, movie magic, nature at its finest, and the gift of slowing down together. Onward we go to 5 weeks in the South Island!