10 Day Lord of the Rings Guided Tour

When you arrive in Auckland, your guide will meet you at the airport and show you the highlights of New Zealand’s largest city.

Auckland is both a convenient starting point for your Lord of the Rings tour and a memorable introduction to New Zealand. Culturally diverse, Auckland is home to the world’s largest Polynesian population, and the Auckland Museum showcases internationally significant Māori and Pacific collections.

Even in the urban heart of Auckland, you are never far from nature. Your guide can take you to the top of Mt Eden’s volcanic crater (one of around 50 volcanoes in the city) for elevated views over Auckland, or we can show you the black sands and towering rock formations at Muriwai Beach and Piha Beach.

In the evening, explore Auckland’s dining scene, with excellent restaurants around Federal Street and Viaduct Harbour.

Stay 1 night in Auckland.

Travel time Auckland to Matamata – 2 hours 

As your guide begins the journey south from Auckland, you might find the rolling countryside reminiscent of the Shire long before you reach the Hobbiton Movie Set.

When Peter Jackson’s location scouts first encountered a towering old pine tree beside a lake on the Alexanders’ sheep and beef farm, they knew they had found Hobbiton. That pine tree became the Party Tree, while the mill and the Green Dragon Inn now stand beside the lake.

On your tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, discover 44 charming hobbit hole exteriors built into the hillside. This is an immersive experience, showcasing remarkable attention to detail on the part of both the set designers and the gardeners who keep the hobbits’ gardens bursting with flowers and produce.

You will also have the chance to explore the complete interior of a hobbit hole, which is a real highlight. Your tour concludes at the Green Dragon Inn, where you can put yourselves in the shoes of Frodo and his friends as you enjoy a complimentary Hobbit-themed beverage.

Travel time Matamata to Rotorua – 1 hour 

In the afternoon, your guide will continue the drive to Rotorua, a geothermal hotspot that puts on a display of colourful mineral pools, geysers, steaming vents, sinter terraces, and bubbling mud pools.

Filming locations included today:

• Hobbiton Movie Set

Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.

This morning is a chance to relax and rejuvenate as you take part in the curated Wai Ariki Hot Springs geothermal bathing experience, woven through with the rich culture and healing traditions of Ngāti Whakaue (a Māori tribe or iwi). Nestled beside Lake Rotorua, Wai Ariki means “Chiefly Waters.”

In the afternoon, your guide can show you around Rotorua and the surrounds, visiting highlights of interest such as geothermal reserves, the Hamurana Springs, and the Government Gardens.

This evening, you may wish to add a Māori cultural experience including a hangi dinner, or a glowworm kayak tour that takes you into a series of lakeside caves.

From the itinerary designer: You could easily fill several days with the many activities on offer in Rotorua, so we have left time free to allow you to choose what interests you. For a leisurely afternoon, you can enjoy a relaxed meal at Eat Streat and then explore the nearby trails through Kuirau Park and along the lakefront.

Travel time Rotorua to Wellington – 6.5 hours 

Your guide will arrange an early start today, because there is a longer drive and there are many highlights – including several filming locations – along the route between Rotorua and Wellington.

We will show you the Forest River rapids (where the dwarves escaped on barrels in the Hobbit trilogy), and you have the option to choose a longer scenic route that encompasses the filming locations for Gollum’s Pool and Emyn Muil. In either direction, take in views of the otherworldly volcanic landscapes of Tongariro National Park, which stood in for Mordor in a number of scenes.

When you arrive into Wellington, you may wish to ride the cable car up for a view over the city, followed by a delicious dinner at Cuba Street.

Compact, walkable, and framed by steep forested hills, Wellington is New Zealand’s captivating capital city. Your Lord of the Rings tour tomorrow offers a good overview of the city in addition to visiting filming locations.

Optional filming locations you can visit with your guide today:

• Start of the Forest River – where the dwarves escaped on barrels (Aratiatia Rapids)
• Gollum’s Pool (Tawhai Falls, Tongariro National Park, 15-minute return walk)
• Emyn Muil (Meads Wall, Tongariro National Park, 20-minute return walk)

Filming locations you can visit on an add-on tour today:

• Mount Doom (if you add a floatplane flight over Tongariro National Park)

Stay 2 nights in Wellington.

Join a full-day Wellington Lord of the Rings tour for an expansive look at Middle-earth, combining memorable filming locations with the artistry and behind-the-scenes magic of Wētā Workshop.

Responsible for creature design, miniatures, weaponry, costumes, and much more, Wētā Workshop played a pivotal role in bringing the Lord of the Rings films to life. And in the decades since, Wētā Workshop has been involved in many major fantasy and sci-fi films produced around the world. Your guided tour unveils the techniques and craftsmanship that went into the films’ creatures, props and miniature worlds.

In addition, visit iconic filming locations that range from the “Get Off the Road” and “Shortcut to Mushrooms” scenes in the Outer Shire to the forests of Rivendell and the gardens of Isengard. At the top of Mt Victoria, pause to take in sweeping views over Wellington.

Filming locations included today:

• Weta Workshop
• Rivendell (Kaitoke Regional Park)
• The Gardens of Isengard (Harcourt Park)
• Helm’s Deep
• The River Anduin
• The Outer Shire (“Shortcut to Mushrooms” and “Get Off the Road” scenes)
• Dunharrow – Rohirrim Encampment

Sailing time Wellington to Picton – 3.5 hours 

Far more than just a convenient way to travel between the North and South Islands of New Zealand, the Cook Strait Ferry is a scenic highlight in itself. After crossing the exposed waters of the Cook Strait, the ferry glides through the sheltered Marlborough Sounds, following a narrow channel lined by remote and beautiful hills. Dolphins are a common sight in the Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound, and some passengers are lucky enough to see the whales that migrate through the strait in winter.

As you enjoy the scenic journey, relax in your private cabin or enjoy a drink or meal from one of the on-board cafes.

Travel time Picton to Kaikoura – 2.5 hours 

Upon disembarking at the picturesque town of Picton, your guide will begin the drive south through Marlborough. Known for its Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough is our most internationally renowned wine-growing region, and we can take you to a few cellar doors to sample award-winning wines.

Your guide can also make a detour to another Forest River filming location, with the option of a short walk for more views of the striking green water.

Tonight you will stay in Kaikoura, a marine wildlife haven tucked in a narrow stretch of land between the mountains and the sea. Whales, fur seals, and dolphins make their home in the coastal waters.

Spend the evening in Kaikoura, a stunning coastal town with a backdrop of majestic mountains. Be sure to sample the superb local seafood at dinner!

Optional filming locations you can visit with your guide today:

• Downstream on the Forest River – where the dwarves escaped in barrels (Pelorus River)

Stay 1 night in Kaikoura.

Travel time Kaikoura to Christchurch – 2.5 hours 

Today you have the option for a leisurely start before your guide begins the drive south to Christchurch. You also have the chance to add on a whale watching flight in Kaikoura.

Christchurch is a vibrant and ever-evolving city that emerged from the 2011 earthquakes as a revitalised destination for art, culture, and fine dining. The city centre brings together impressive Gothic Revival architecture, the bustling new Riverside Market, and the sprawling Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Your guide can show you the highlights of central Christchurch, or you have the option to tour these on the historic Christchurch Tramway. For a memorable evening meal, you can even add on a three-course dinner aboard the tram.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Travel time Christchurch to Lake Tekapo – 3.5 hours 

This morning, we highly recommend adding on a 4WD tour to the filming location for Edoras, tucked in magnificent alpine surrounds in the upper reaches of the Rangitata Valley.

South of here, you will leave behind the flat Canterbury Plains as your guide takes you over Burkes Pass into the Mackenzie Basin. This is your first glimpse of what is perhaps the most scenic corner of New Zealand, a region of towering mountains and vast glacier-carved lakes that stretches from Lake Tekapo all the way past Queenstown to the southern reaches of the South Island.

In Lake Tekapo, we will show you the Church of the Good Shepherd, an iconic stone church that sits prominently on the lakefront. We will also take you to the top of Mt John for panoramic views over the Mackenzie Basin.

Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the largest reserves in the southern hemisphere. You can add a guided night sky experience for an awe-inspiring look at the southern skies in one of the world’s premier stargazing destinations.

Filming locations you can visit on an add-on tour today:

• Edoras (if you add on a 4WD Lord of the Rings tour to Mount Sunday)

From the itinerary designer: This add-on tour departs from Christchurch and heads south in the direction of Lake Tekapo. Your guide will meet you following your visit to Edoras so you don’t have to double-up on the drive back to Christchurch.

Stay 1 night at Lake Tekapo

Travel time Lake Tekapo to Queenstown – 3.5 hours 

Leaving Lake Tekapo behind, your guide will drive along the shores of Lake Pukaki, which starred as Laketown in the Hobbit trilogy. On a clear day, you will see the snow-capped peak of Aoraki/Mt Cook rising above the headwaters of the vivid turquoise lake.

Here you have the option to make a side trip to Mt Cook Village, where you can visit the Tasman Glacier viewpoint, enjoy a short alpine walk, or learn more at the Department of Conservation visitor centre.

Continuing south, your guide can take you to view the filming location for the Pelennor Fields before ascending past golden tussock-covered hills to the Lindis Pass.

Your journey finishes with a drive through the narrow, rocky Kawarau Gorge, which opens out at last into the Wakatipu Basin. Rising from the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a bustling alpine resort town that is also home to the highest concentration of Lord of the Rings filming locations anywhere in New Zealand.

The best way to take in Queenstown’s magnificent mountain setting is from above, so this afternoon you will board the Skyline Gondola for a ride to the top of Bob’s Peak. From the Skyline Complex, panoramic views open out across Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables and Walter Peak.

Optional filming locations you can visit with your guide today:

• Laketown (Lake Pukaki)
• Pelennor Fields

Filming locations you can visit on an add-on tour today:

• Misty Mountains, Redhorn Pass, and Earnslaw Burn – used as a location in both the Hobbit trilogy and the Rings of Power (if you add a 70-minute Lord of the Rings helicopter flight)

Stay 2 nights in Queenstown.

Even after encountering so much diverse scenery across both islands, the Dart River Jet Wilderness Safari will stand out as a highlight of your Lord of the Rings tour.

To begin the day, your guide will drive you along the lakeshore to reach Glenorchy, a small settlement nestled at the head of Lake Wakatipu. Beyond Glenorchy lies true wilderness, with braided rivers cutting through forested valleys lined by towering peaks.

Board the Dart River Jet and skim the waters of the Dart River as you venture deep into the wilds of Mt Aspiring National Park. Your wilderness safari takes you into Paradise Valley, which starred as Isengard, while the forests and mountains in the area also featured in a number of other scenes. This feels like a genuine slice of Middle-earth.

After your jet-boat tour comes to an end, explore Glenorchy further with your guide. We will show you the filming location for Ithilien Camp on the way back to Queenstown.

In the afternoon, we will take you to a few more filming locations around Queenstown, including the Argonath, the Gladden Fields, and the river that formed part of the Ford of Bruinen. You may also wish to explore Arrowtown, a picturesque historic mining settlement located nearby.

From the itinerary designer: Queenstown can easily justify a longer stay, so if you have an extra day or two available, this is where we recommend spending it. We can also modify this 10-day itinerary to allow for a third night in Queenstown, but this will mean a faster pace of travel on the North Island.

Filming locations included today:

• Valley of Isengard (Paradise Valley, Glenorchy)

Optional filming locations you can visit with your guide today:

• Ithilien Camp (Twelve Mile Delta)
• The Ford of Bruinen (Arrow River)
• The Argonath – Pillars of the Kings (Kawarau River)
• The Gladden Fields (Arrowtown)
  If you have the flexibility to add an extra day or two to your itinerary, ask us about additional Queenstown Lord of the Rings tours you can add on.

Departure Day – Depart Queenstown
The next day your guide will deliver you to Queenstown Airport for your departing flight.