Minecraft: Come Play for Real Tour

Touch down in coastal, cosmopolitan Auckland, a harbor city bursting with immense urban charm, pristine beaches, and invigorating rainforests. The city's natural scenes and urban settings were the perfect locations to film the majority of the Minecraft movie, with indoor and outdoor spaces set up to represent various parts of the movie. The city is a haven for the urban explorer and Minecraft adventurer in you, as its harbor and islands resemble an Ocean Biome in the game, dotted with landmasses like Waiheke Island. You may wish to ascend New Zealand's tallest structure, the iconic Sky Tower, to capture panoramic city and surrounding island views, watching them shrink before you as you rise to the top in your glass-front elevator.

Once you have collected your car today, you will be on your way to the banks of the Waikato River, where you will discover the city of Hamilton. Spend some time wandering the Hamilton Gardens, a brilliant public display of themed spaces, each representing different cultures, historic periods, and artistic concepts. Experience the five realms of Paradise, Productivity, Fantasy, Cultivar, and Landscape, and admire visually stunning scenes of bright rose gardens and geometric patterns formed by carefully trimmed hedges in the knot garden. Step out of the garden and onto the MV Waipā Delta for a trip along the Waikato River. Travel from Memorial Park, along the gentle body of water, passing classic stone bridges and the picturesque tree-lined bank.

A day of adventure awaits you as you don a wetsuit and head for the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, comparable to Minecraft's lush caves. Enjoy a scenic boat ride through the labyrinths of the Ruakuri Cave and absorb the brilliant scene of thousands of bioluminescent glowworms lighting up ancient limestone caverns. This is comparable to glow lichen in the game, which hangs from cave ceilings, casting an eerie, mystical light over the rocky walls. Notice how blue-green shadows dance on stalagmites and stalactites as you glide under the star-like canopy above you. Sit back in your inner tube and feel the cool, fresh water enveloping you as you drift along the subterranean river.

Travel to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, past small farming towns such as charming Otorohanga, to a destination comprising volcanic land and striking redwood rainforests. In the game of Minecraft, towering redwood biomes present lush, mountainous, and visually striking scenes, reminiscent of Rotorua's real-world redwood forests, which you now have a chance to experience in real life. Visit the Blue Lake and watch as water along the lake's edge bubbles and steam seems to escape blatant cracks in the road. Let the whoosh of spouting geysers and gurgles of bubbling mud pools entertain you. Indulge this evening in Te Puia's world-famous hāngī buffet dinner, where meat such as pork is earth-cooked, giving it a smoky flavor. Experience a traditional Māori pōwhiri welcome, embrace the waiata traditional chant, then crescendo to the energetic and bold haka war cry.

Visiting Wai-O-Tapu will bring you into a world of colorful features created by decades of volcanic activity. Experience the mesmerizing display of nature's raw power as steam and bubbling waters dance before you at the Mud Pool, mirroring the soul sand valleys, where the ground seems to shift beneath you. The eruptions at Lady Knox Geyser reach up to 65 feet, its dramatic erupting compared to Minecraft's geyser-like magma bursts. As day turns to night, enjoy an exquisite display of lantern-lit redwood trees as you walk suspended 30 to 50 feet above the forest floor. Marvel at this intricately designed walkway, with 28 suspension bridges and 27 platforms on which to stop and admire the warm glow of lantern light and shadows etched on giant tree trunks.

Let your travels take you to the Tongariro region of New Zealand's North Island, where a plethora of well-established hiking trails wind through and around the charming Whakapapa Village in the Tongariro National Park. Take in captivating views of Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe, and listen to the thunderous roar of the magnificent Tawhai Falls, noting the powerful crash of water against rock as it cascades over lava formations and into glistening pools. Embrace the stillness and steady trickle of the turquoise waters of Gollum's Pool, made famous through the Lord of the Rings films. Take your journey up into the skies as you glide over Mount Ruapehu's rugged lava fields, steep ridges, and glacial valleys, feeling the cool, crisp air around you as you pick up subtle hints of alpine flora.

Unlike the game of Minecraft, you will not need to enter the dramatic, volcanic landscape of the Tongariro Crossing Track through a Nether Portal. Your half-day alpine tour will take you through tussock fields, the tufts of grass dominating the landscape, and mountain beech forests where buttercups and daisies add a splash of color to your canvas. Volcanic rock formations play home to the striking green jeweled gecko while the short, sharp whistles of the North Island tomtit can be heard echoing through the trees. Arrive at the pristine Soda Springs waterfall, comparable to Minecraft's biome transitions, where lush and harsh environments collide seamlessly. Watch as crystal-clear water cascades down volcanic rock and feel the cool sensation of pure Tongariro spring water glide down your throat as you refill your water bottles for your onward journey.

Wind your way through the rural town of Taihape, fondly referred to as the gumboot capital of New Zealand. Discover more about this quirky honor as you stand in front of the giant iron gumboot statue. Weave your way through Mangaweka, stopping to admire the solid metal arms of the magnificent cantilever bridge stretching up the sides, supporting and boasting marvelous steel architecture. With sandy shores and nearby islands resembling the game's coastal biome, take time to breathe in the salty coastal air as golden beaches unfold before your eyes when you enter Paraparaumu. Take in views of rugged cliffs and sweeping ocean vistas, watching as the sky turns orange as a dramatic sunset engulfs Kāpiti Island, as it would a mountain biome in the game.

Trade travel by car for a smooth and scenic ferry ride to Kāpiti Island, disembarking at Waiorua Bay at its northern end. Your nature guide will welcome you as you set off on a one-hour walk through the bush. Listen out for the melodic call of the bellbird and keep an eye out for the flash of the striking red-crowned parakeet as it darts through the forest canopy. Savor a delicious Māori-inspired lunch, where a crisp salad may be accompanied by fresh ocean flavors present in flaky, buttery-flavored snapper or a perfectly seared steak. Your ferry ride back will be brief, and once back on the road to Wellington, you have the opportunity to stop off in the seaside towns of Paekākāriki, famous for its stairway-to-heaven escarpment track, and, in contrast, Plimmerton, famous for beautiful beaches and a relaxed seaside vibe. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine you are captivated by the rugged coastline and rolling hills of Minecraft's Extreme Hills Biome.

Discover New Zealand's cosmopolitan capital, Wellington, often referred to as the Great Harbour of Tara or Te Whanganui-a-Tara. The city greets you with a salt-tinged sea breeze rolling in from its bustling harbor, the hum of laneway cafés filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the sight of colorful street art clinging to weathered walls. Take a guided tour of the Te Papa Museum to learn about Māori ancestral history and treasures. Feel a sense of community and pride fill the air as you read of traditions. Step outside and onto the Wellington Cable Car for a five-minute journey to Kelburn. As you ascend 395 feet, experience the brilliance of illuminated tunnels, which give way to a silhouetted skyline.

Drive your car onto the Interislander ferry and sail from Wellington to Picton, a journey of 57 miles that will transport you through rolling hills and gently flowing waters. Glancing back, notice how the city skyline fades into the distance, while the chirp of seabirds like the rīrā swiftlet and the splashes of frolicking dolphins entertain you. Look out for New Zealand's oldest lighthouse on Pencarrow Head, then glide into Queen Charlotte Sound, where the charming town of Picton awaits your arrival. Back on the road, follow the Marlborough Sound's coastline and notice how the scenery resembles the sunlit plains and coastal villages in the game of Minecraft. Continue over the historic Pelorus Bridge, arriving in the sun-drenched coastal city of Nelson.

Embrace a guided kayaking adventure to the mysterious Split Apple Rock and capture the image of two identical half-boulders seemingly balancing on a bed of rocks. The way the rock sits in the shallow waters of Tasman Bay could be compared to Minecraft's coastal landscape, where unusual rock formations emerge near beaches and islands. The smooth, rounded shape of Split Apple Rock mirrors polished diorite or granite stone blocks used in Minecraft. Hear the gentle swish of the water as it connects with your paddle as you pass golden beaches, stopping at a secluded site to enjoy a picnic lunch comprising savory and sweet bites to satisfy any hunger before you board the Vista Cruise to Torrent Bay and Medlands Beach.

Head for the hills today, the Marlborough Hills, home to New Zealand's largest wine-growing region, timing it to arrive just when wine sampling begins. Sip a crisp, fruit-forward sauvignon blanc or a medium-bodied pinot noir, offering cherry and plum flavors with light herbal notes. Continue through the green and gold hills of the Marlborough ranges, elatedly reaching the stunning Kaikōura Coast, where the road hugs the shore for 30 miles. Spot furry seals creating a splotch on the turquoise waters of the South Pacific Ocean, then switch four wheels for a forest tour with a difference. Soar through a five-zipline course and be a part of an eco-adventure and worthy conservation program, with a chance to plant a tree during your experience.

A half-hour adventure awaits you when you soar above the ocean on a whale-watching explorer tour. As you enjoy a comfortable speed and steady flight, picture yourself in the game of Minecraft, maintaining a standard elytra glide, the mute wind swishing past you. As you glance down, marvel at the pure majesty of the mighty sperm whale as he reaches up as if to greet you, creating a painting of brushstroke waves when he returns to the water. Spot dusky dolphins playing nearby and keep an eye out for the southern right whale and feisty orca. Pause your journey to experience Hanmer Springs, delighting in a dip in therapeutic thermal pools for some natural pampering before continuing on to New Zealand's Garden City, Christchurch.

Take a journey into the heart of New Zealand's South Island, where the golden expanse of the Canterbury Plains stretches beneath a wide, endless sky. Pause a while in the charming town of Geraldine before venturing into the rugged beauty of Mackenzie Country. Beautiful valleys of rolling hills give way to dramatic mountain vistas, their peaks glowing under shifting sunlight. The shimmering aqua waters of Lake Tekapo come into focus, perfectly positioned below the Southern Alps as if plucked from a painting. As day turns to night, team up with a guide from the Mount John observatory, who will help you navigate your way across the Southern Sky. Capture images of the white splash of dazzling pinholes that make up the Milky Way Galaxy, the Southern Cross, and our closest neighboring star, Alpha Centauri.

Scenic beauty and adrenaline-filled hours are the order of the day when you take the half-hour drive from Lake Tekapo to Lake Pukaki. Take in the incredible views that stretch way into Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, where the country's highest peak stands proud. Discover Lord of the Rings filming locations at nearby Twizel or take a leap of faith as you bungy off historic Kawarau Bridge, the sound of air rushing by as you fly through silence. Making your way to Queenstown, switch scenic adventures for a 100-year-old steamship, the TSS Earnslaw. This quintessential Kiwi experience boasts stunning views of Lake Wakatipu as you savor succulent lamb, juicy beef steaks, and flaky salmon cooked to perfection on the BBQ, served alongside grilled sweet potato, roasted pumpkin, and salads.

Wind your way along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and onto the stretch of road known as the Devil's Staircase, named for its winding curves and steep terrain. The Remarkables mountain range towers over you as you hug the lake's edge, with deep blue waters stretching out of the other side, just as it would in the ocean and river biomes in Minecraft. Cruise across Lake Te Anau to discover a 12,000-year-old cave network boasting limestone pathways that weave between swirling whirlpools, sculptured rock formations, and a rushing underground waterfall. As if gliding along the waters of one of Minecraft's expansive cave systems, enjoy a ride beneath a mesmerizing canopy of glowworms whose brilliant lights glisten like stars in a night sky.

Travel along the lakeshores of Te Anau and through thriving farmlands to the township of Lake Manapouri. Leaving your car at the gateway to Doubtful Sound, embark on your overnight wilderness cruise. A short boat and rumbling bus ride later, you will arrive at the remote inlet of Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound. Check into your private cabin, then head to the spacious deck and feel the gentle, cooling sea air against your skin as you look out towards towering cliffs and hidden waterfalls. Savor a three-course buffet dinner and end the night gazing up at a sky full of stars, reminiscent of the deep, starry, indigo sky in Minecraft, where moonlight softly glows over forests, hills, and oceans.

Disembark your Doubtful Sound overnight cruise in Manapouri around midday and make your way back to Queenstown, passing through the deer capital of New Zealand, Mossburn. Hugging the edge of Lake Wakatipu, the towering Remarkable mountain range guides you to this popular South Island town. Settle in and embrace the beautiful Queenstown Gardens, the scent of fresh pine filling the air while birds chatter overhead. Explore the scenic lakeshore on the Queenstown Gardens Trail, capturing stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountains, or spend time in the Queenstown Gallery of Fine Art, showcasing works from renowned New Zealand artists. Stop for a bite at a waterfront restaurant and savor ceviche marinated in citrus, coconut cream, and chili oil.

End your Minecraft journey with one more day of adventure. Experience the thrill of the Shotover Jet, the only jet boat permitted in the Shotover River Canyons. Feel the wind engulf you as you speed past rocky cliffs and embrace butterflies in your stomach as you twist through narrow waterways, ending your epic ride with a legendary 360-degree spin, similar to the high-speed boat chase in the Minecraft movie. Take things down a notch on the Skyline Queenstown Gondola to Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve, soaring 1,480 feet above the town. Once you've caught your breath, pick things up again with another epic adventure. Much like the movie's escape scene, enjoy the thrill of a race down a 2624-foot luge track. Feel your heart rate increase as you weave through banked corners, tunnels, and dips for an unforgettable ride.

You have one more moment to take in the sights and sounds of a New Zealand favorite before leaving an adventure-packed, scenic experience for the real world. Enjoy a last stroll through Queenstown Gardens, winding down amid the tranquility, or sip a cup of coffee, bite into a local pastry, and people-watch one last time. Take your memories of incredible landscapes, surreal destinations, and thrilling adventures with you as you return your car to the airport in time for your onward flight.