Lord of the Rings Tour

Tour Details

During the booking process, you can choose between two different tour options. At the designated time, we'll meet at your selected meeting point, where we'll kick start an exciting day visiting the filming locations from The Lord of the Rings. Both tours include entry to the Weta Workshop and a guided tour of the studio. Below you'll find further details for each tour:

Half-Day Tour (4 Hours)

As we leave Wellington behind, we'll set our sights on Mount Victoria. Along the way, we'll pass by the Embassy Picture Theatre, which famously hosted the world premieres of the Return of the King (2003) and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012).

Upon arrival, we'll head to Mount Victoria's lookout for stunning views. Then, we'll explore Hobbiton Woods, where we'll explain the filmmaking process and share fascinating stories about the making of The Lord of the Rings. This site is where memorable moments like the famous "second breakfast" bit, the Hobbits evading the Black Rider, and the thrilling race to the Buckleberry Ferry.

Next, we'll head to the Miramar Peninsula, the cinematographic center of Wellywood. Here, we'll visit the famous Weta Workshop, where you'll discover the secrets behind the magic of cinema. At the Weta Cave, you'll have some free time for souvenirs and a photo with Gollum or Bilbo's trolls. Our guide will be on hand to help you unleash your inner hobbit if you're feeling stuck in your poses!

Finally, before returning to your selected meeting point, we'll wrap up our tour with a visit to the bay area that served as the setting for parts of Rivendell. 

Available times: Daily at 8:30 am, 1 pm, and 1:30 pm.

Full-Day Tour (8 hours)

When opting for the full-day tour, we'll follow a similar itinerary, with a few extra stops and plenty of fascinating insights into each film site.

After our stop at the lookout, we'll continue our journey to the Miramar Peninsula and the famous Weta Workshop. You'll enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour in an exclusive setting, where an artist from Weta Workshop will share the secrets of cinema and explain how the props, costumes, and creatures were brought to life. 

Our tour will continue toward the shores of the Hutt River, also known as the River Anduin, where the Fellowship embarked on their journey to Amon Hen. It's also where Faramir had his chilling premonition predicting Boromir's death, and where Aragorn's horse rescued him from the raging river after a fierce battle. Talk about iconic scenes!

Next, we'll enjoy a delicious lunch fit for a hobbit at a café nearby, featuring traditional dishes and a drink. After lunch, we'll visit the Kaitoke Regional Park, an impressive millennia-old temperate forest that is used as the beautiful Rivendell. Here, you'll learn how this site became Elrond's house and recreate memorable scenes.

Finally, we'll explore the Gardens of Isengard in Harcourt Park, where Gandalf was betrayed by Saruman, and everybody's favorite hobbit duo, Merry & Pippin, were taken to Isengard! During the journey back to Wellington, we'll pass by the Dry Creek Quarry, the epic location for Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith.

Available times: Daily at 8:30 am