Lord of the Rings Tour
Discover the filming locations and let yourself be enchanted by the unique atmosphere! You can either tour along both islands or choose the spots you are mainly interested in and of course add some addtional days. Exploring the locations alone is a lot of fun, but the guided tours have highlights to offer like original props, stories or background knowledge!
Travel Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival in Auckland
Pick up your rental car at Auckland Airport and start your journey through “Middle Earth” New Zealand. The particularly lush green landscape around the town of Matamata was used as a backdrop for the floodplain. Hobbiton was rebuilt for the shooting of “The Hobbit” and since then has also served as a tourist attraction. During a two-hour tour you will be shown the entire area. Afterwards you drive on to Rotorua.
DAY 2
Rotorua
Discover the Geothermal Wonderland at Wai-o-Tapu. Sculptured out of volcanic activity and thousands of years in the making, Wai-O-Tapu is considered to be New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction. You are introduced to a uniquely different natural landscape – the key to what you see lies below the surface – one of the most extensive geothermal systems in New Zealand. In the evening, you visit the Redwoods Treewalk. This night-time experience offers the opportunity to explore Rotorua’s majestic Redwood forest under the shroud of darkness. 30 lanterns, over 40 infinite colour spots and lights will illuminate the 116-year-old redwood trees, forest ferns and pungas.
DAY 3
Rotorua
On your drive to Wellington, we recommend to stop at the Huka Falls north of Taupo and in the Tongariro National Park. The National Park is home to three large volcanoes, including Ruapehu, which served as the backdrop for Mordor and Emyl Muin. The mountain can be seen from hiking trails in the park. In the movies people were attacked by orcs here and Frodo and Sam managed to capture Gollum.
DAY 4
Wellington
Wellington and the surrounding area were among the main filming locations, which is why you can rediscover many of the familiar settings from the film here. A small group tour will get you out of the city and into the beautiful, natural surroundings that inspired Sir Peter Jackson to make Lord of the Rings in New Zealand. Although no sets remain on any of the locations, you will be astounded how these places were transformed into some of your favourite scenes from the films. You will visit: River Anduin, Gardens of Isengard and Rivendell, which is set in a stunning virgin New Zealand rainforest. Then on Mt Victoria you will find the Outer Shire, where the Hobbits find a ‘Shortcut to Mushrooms’ and ‘Get off the road’, as well as the Dunharrow encampment. You will also visit the Mt Victoria lookout, for the best 360-degree views of Wellington City.
DAY 5
Nelson
After boarding the ferry from Wellington to Picton, you will drive to Nelson. Nelson is the home of Jens Hansen who produced the 40 rings that were used on the set. In his shop in Trafalgar Square in Nelson you can see one of the original rings or buy a replica in 9 to 18 carat gold. Takaka Hill west of Nelson served as Chetwald, Mount Owen and Mount Olympus as Shadow Valley, where Frodo and his companions hid from Saruman’s black crows.
DAY 6
Christchurch
There are plenty of things to see and do as you travel from Nelson south to the resort town of Hanmer Springs and on to Christchurch. This is a long, but beatiful drive. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and towering forests, Hanmer Springs has a main street filled with boutique shops, cafes and eateries – a perfect stop for lunch or coffee. Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city. Bordered by hills and the Pacific Ocean, it is situated on the edge of the Canterbury Plains that stretch to the Southern Alps. There is nowhere else in the world where, within two hours of an international airport, you can ski at a world-class alpine resort, play golf, bungy jump, raft, mountain bike, hot-air balloon, wind surf, whale watch and visit internationally-acclaimed wineries and gardens.
DAY 7
Canterbury
In the highlands of the Ashburton district lies Mount Sunday, on which Edoras, the capital of the inhabitants of Rohan, was built. You can reach Mount Sunday from Christchurch by car or with a guided tour from Christchurch.
DAY 8
Mackenzie County
The road to Lake Tekapo leads along a scenic route. You will drive through the Canterbury Plains, past fields and farms. After Fairlie you’ll ascend to the region known as the Mackenzie Country, named after the legendary Scottish sheep rustler who once roamed the area. The settlement of Lake Tekapo is at the southern end of the lake. The opaque turquoise colour of this lake and others in the area is caused by fine, glacier-ground rock particles held in suspension. The Church of the Good Shepherd and the sheepdog statue are great photo opportunities. The road to Twizel takes you through high country tussock to beautiful Lake Pukaki. At Lake Pukaki Visitor Centre, you sit on the shores of ‘Laketown’ (The Hobbit) with views over the stunning Aoraki Mount Cook on a clear day.
DAY 9
Queenstown
The Lindis Pass will take you from Twizel over the mountains towards Queenstown. Close to Queenstown take a detour and visit Arrowtown. This most picturesque settlement in New Zealand was once the scene of a frantic gold rush. With more than 60 restored buildings from the 19th century, the town retains its historic character. Explore the Chinese miners’ settlement or the Lake District Museum. Arrowtown has a range of cafes, restaurants and appealing shops. The alpine resort of Queenstown is exciting and fantastically attractive. It’s the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungee, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It’s also a destination for luxury experiences – gourmet food and wine, spa treatments and leisurely games of golf.
DAY 10
Queenstown
The day takes you along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy. On a scenic safari in 4×4 vehicles you visit the filming locations for Isengard, the Ithilien Camp, Lothlorien forest and the Seat of Seeing/the Battle of Amon Hen, plus filming locations from The Hobbit trilogy! This trip really does take you There and Back again. The afternoon is at your leisure. There is much to do and see in Queenstown!
DAY 11
Te Anau
High country landscapes and trout fishing rivers are features on the road to Te Anau. The first part of the drive clings scenically to the edge of Lake Wakatipu. Te Anau township sits on the shores of Lake Te Anau. From here, the delights of the Fiordland National Park are within easy reach, including the start of the Milford Track. Cruise on the lakes, walk the tracks and visit the Department of Conservation wildlife centre. The Te Anau Glowworm Caves are an excellent adventure. Between Te Anau and Manapouri lies the Waiau River, which embodied the Anduin, on which the companions paddled south. The forest Fangorn is also located here – for this the forest to the right and left of the Takaro Road near Te Anau was used. From here you can also cross the Anduin by jet boat!
DAY 12
Queenstown Departure
Drive back to Queenstown. At the airport, you drop off your car and embark your flight back home.
What´s included
- Rental car for 11 days (based on 24 hours)
- 11 nights at 3 star accommodation as per itinerary
- Daily Breakfast
- Ferry Tickets from Wellington to Picton (including car)
- Activities as per itinerary: -Hobbiton Movieset Tour -Admission Wai-o-Tapu -Admission Redwoods Treewalk at Night -Wellington Half Day Lord of the Rings Film Location Tour -Glenorchy Half Day Lord of the Rings 4x4 Safari
Excluded
- Any Personal Expenses
- Tips and Gratitudes
- Any other meals than mentioned
- Tourist tax (payment in the hotel)
Additional Information
All prices exclude airfares (unless specified), visa fees, travel insurance and any additional personal expenses.
Prices are per person sharing a double room. Single and triple rooms rates are available upon request.
Dates, itineraries and prices are indicative and subject to change based on the season.
Hotels mentioned in the itinerary may change due to availability, but will always be of equivalent or higher category.
Some countries charge additional destination taxes per person or per night that can only be paid directly at the location.
All displayed tour maps are originated from Google Maps and are only indicative. They are not representative of the exact travel routes of the itinerary.
For more details please visit our booking conditions page.
