Boasting some of the most varied and rugged landscapes on Earth, New Zealand has long been a source of adventure. In addition, its eclectic Polynesian and European heritage makes it a remarkable center of culture and history. Given New Zealand's varied attributes, it is little wonder it was the pick of Kiwi Peter Jackson as the stand-in for Middle-Earth in his film adaptation of the Lord of the Rings fantasy trilogy.

Overview
Driving across New Zealand is a prime way not only to see the movies' ethereal locations but also to experience a true taste of Kiwiland. Several routes will satisfy your Lord of the Rings hunger, but the jaunt between Auckland and Wellington, spanning the length of the North Island, is perhaps the best way to see a sizeable stretch of the country. This 460-mile (740-kilometer) route will take you through the real-life versions of Hobbiton, Mordor, and Bree, as well as through some of New Zealand’s most diverse regions: volcanic fields, lush rain forest, ragged mountains, rolling hills of farmland, and the country's largest lake.

Begin in Auckland
Kick off your tour in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, with a visit to the Auckland Museum (09 309 0443; www.aucklandmuseum.com), where you can learn about the country's ancient peoples and natural history. Here, watch a Maori cultural performance, scheduled daily.

Huapai
Sample local award-winning wines at Coopers Creek Vineyard (601 State Hwy. 16, Huapai, Auckland; 09 412 8560; www.cooperscreek.co.nz), which also hosts jazz concerts every Sunday from January through Easter. Stop in at Elephant House (237 Parnell Rd., Parnell, Auckland; 09 309 8740; www.nzcrafts.co.nz), an artist's cooperative in the historic Parnell Village suburb, to buy and view works from hundreds of Kiwi artists.