Follow in the Footsteps of Hobbits, Dwarfs, Elves and Men

This full day tour encompasses the best Lord of the Rings locations the Wellington Region has to offer. Combining our half day and locations tours, this is a great day for any Middle-earth fanatic, general film fan or someone looking for a fun activity. Our expert guides will make your experience a memorable one.

Starting with a central city pick up, you scale Mt Victoria and stop at the lookout for unbeatable views of Wellington City and Harbour, before a short descent into a unique pine forest where Peter Jackson began the filming of his epic trilogy. You see such scenes as “Shortcut to Mushrooms,” “Race to the Buckleberry Ferry,” and the iconic “Get off the Road” scene, where the Hobbits hid from the Black Riders.

Following this, you will take a short trip to Miramar, the home of the Wellington film industry. We show you the studios and post production facilities that helped bring these films to screen before settling at Weta. Here you have a chance to pose for photos with various characters and marvel at the craftsmanship of the sculptures, armour and weapons on display and pick up those essential souvenirs and gifts. Here also, you watch a behind the scenes documentary that details the history of the Weta company, from its origins through to present day, and enjoy the “Windows into Workshop” tour. Guided by an actual Weta technician, this tour delves into the creativity and ingenuity needed to create the physical effects for some of the biggest and best movies ever, not just Middle-earth. It will leave you amazed at the vast influence Weta has had on the film industry and in no doubt why we call the area “Wellywood.”

With so much information to absorb in the morning, you begin the afternoon with an orc sized lunch from a brilliant beach side cafe called Scorch-O-Rama. Lunch is included in the price of your tour. Once refuelled, you can relax as your guide tells more stories of how Lord of the Rings came to life in New Zealand as you head towards more filming locations out of the city.

Starting at the Hutt River, see where the Fellowship voyaged down the Great River Anduin towards Amon Hen. Then the Gardens of Isengard where Gandalf sought advice from Saruman the White about the Ring before Saruman’s orc army destroy the gardens. Continuing up Highway 2, you then visit Kaitoke Regional Park, a stunning New Zealand rain forest that became Rivendell. Enjoy a refreshing afternoon tea before wandering the paths walked by Elrond and Arwen, and the newly formed Fellowship of the Ring.

You end the tour with a drive back to the city and a final chance to ask any more questions about all things Middle-earth [or anything else for that matter]. You also see the quarry used to film Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith before being dropped off back in town.