Things to do in Thornton Bay (2025): Top nearby activities,popular attractions,itinerary planning,weather,accommodation,food,transportation,and more - all you need to know (updated August, 2025) | Trip.com
刘小心🇳🇿:“New Zealand 🇳🇿 Hobbytown: The immersive Midland World Tour View (5/5) Hobbytown's scenery is simply postcard-level, completely restoring the Shire scenery in the "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" movies. Whether it is green grass, hobbit caves on hillsides, or well-maintained gardens and crops, it feels like you have really entered the Middle-earth world. The Hobbit Cave in the sun is brightly colored, perfectly blended with the surrounding natural environment, and every angle is beautiful. I especially like the iconic round doors and windows, full of fairy tale colors. Fun (4/5) As a movie lover, Hobbitun is very interesting. Guides will guide visitors through the Hobbit caves, explaining the anecdotes and details of film shooting, making the whole tour lively and interesting. It’s exciting to be able to experience movie scenes, such as sipping a ginger beer at the Green Dragon Tavern or taking pictures at Bilbo Baggins’ doorstep. This is not only a simple sightseeing, but also an immersive experience, making people seem to be part of the Hobbit world. Cost-effective (3/5) In terms of cost-effectiveness, the ticket price of Hobbitun is relatively high. Although it includes a guided tour and a glass of Green Dragon tavern drinks, it can be a big expense for budget-bound tourists. Given its unique film themes and carefully maintained scenes, the investment is worth it for the loyal fans of The Lord of the Rings, which offers an unparalleled experience. However, if only pure nature lovers, may feel slightly less cost-effective. Overall, it was a worthwhile pilgrimage, but it is recommended to plan the budget in advance.”
Opening hours: 09:30-20:30 (admission ends at 19:45)
XUANNER:“As a famous scenic spot, the Sky Tower is basically a must visit place! The restaurant is also worth a try, as there are different packages available at different times. It is more convenient to book in advance on the website”
Opening hours: 09:30-17:00 (admission ends at 16:00)
Rola E.:“It's a great place to visit, especially with kids. I love seeing all the animals. It's my first time seeing penguins, stingray, and sharks in person. It's super cool!”
Anonymous user:“So easy to redeem just show your qr code and you are good to go, no time frame which is better, you just need to use it within the day, and much cheaper to purchase here compare on the site. thankyou trip.com for the hassle free transaction”
Anonymous user:“The whole experience was great, and it's a great place to learn about New Zealand's history and culture. The museum is quite large and worth a good half-day visit. There are many interactive exhibits, especially suitable for taking children out. There are also Chinese services, which is recommended.”
linmingxin:“We arrived at the meeting point at 7:30 and set off on time at 8:00. The boat can carry 100 people at full capacity, and there were more than 70 of us. After a 1-hour sail, we found dolphins and various seabirds, and then sailed into deeper waters to find Bryde's whales. On the way back, we also saw a little seal taking a nap. The whole experience was great, but it really depends on luck. Not every time you go out to sea, you can see whales. We returned to the dock at 1:30 pm and didn't feel seasick. The overall experience was great!”
小鱼儿2015:“Hot Water Beach is a great place to relax. You can see a lot of seaside landscapes here. I like to go here at low tide. You can find some small animals. The sea water is very warm in summer.
[Scenery] The scenery here is beautiful
[Fun] The shape is very good”
Where to stay
Discover the most popular places to stay in Thornton Bay, complete with recommendations from fellow travelers and special hotel offers