Lord Of The Rings

Check out this LOTR's themed tour through New Zealand!

Peter Jackson started a whole new industry when he set to work filming the Lord of the Rings. With New Zealand’s wonderful natural scenery he didn’t need to go any further than his own backyard to film this successful trilogy.

The films long finished, we now have a huge range of tours for Lord of the Rings fans to visit and actually stand on the very places they have seen in all three of the movies. They are scattered throughout the country, and you could well plan your independent trip through New Zealand around a loose Lord of the Rings theme.

"Lord of the Rings " Tour Itinerary

LORD OF THE RINGS LOCATION TOUR, NEW ZEALAND

Now plan your trip to see all this for yourself!

Arriving in Auckland, after a look around the city and perhaps a trip north to the Bay of Islands, you can then embark on your quest to visit some Lord of the Rings film locations.

Driving south to Matamata ( about 2 hours) you can visit the farm where the original Hobbiton Village was built. On toward Taupo, to Mt Ruapehu. Here you could do the Tongariro Crossing – a great day walk of about 5-8 hours depending on your level of fitness ( do check details) and walking under Mt Doom will bring it all back.

Taupo will not offer any Lord of the Rings excitement but there is much to see and do in the area. A side trip en route to Rotorua and /or Waitomo for a spot of adventure activity or just taking the Waitomo Caves trip to see the glowworms, might also be an option to consider.

On to the Wairarapa ( also great wine country!) and Wellington where Peter Jackson’s studio is, and the films were made .

You can choose from a range of LOTR's day tours to a selection of Middle Earth filming locations , including the Garden of Isengard, the River Aduin, Helms Deep and the White bridge of Lothlorien.

After a visit to Te Papa museum, a meal on the waterfront or in one of the many wonderful cafes and restaurants, a look at of mussels en route at the mussel farms in the Marlborough Sounds.You can't get fresher!

In Nelson you will find Jens Hansen Gold and Silver Smith. Jens was the creator of the “One Ring”. For a break from LOTR's, Nelson is a good stop for a day or two. Visit Kaiteriteri beach with stunning golden sand, take a kayak or hike in the Abel Tasman National Park, and then relax in the vineyards sipping some of New Zealand’s famous Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc wines. This is the best Sav Blanc in the world by many wine afficionados estimations.

Arriving in Christchurch you can start with a day tour to film location sites in the Rangitata Valley where you can see Mt Sunday and where Edoras was built.

Heading south to Queenstown via Twizel there are more film locations. Queenstown and Wanaka have such a choice of LOTR's tours you will be spoilt for choice.

Combine a jetboat trip and take a tour on the Luxmore Jet which operates jet boat tours on the Upper Waiau River between Lake Te Anau and beautiful Lake Manapouri in the Fiordland National Park. You may recognise it as the River Anduin in the first of the Lord of the Rings trilogy "The Fellowship of the Ring".

Frodo and the Fellowship paddled their grey Elven Boats down the River Anduin on their trip from Lorien to Emyn Muil.

Luxmore Jet shows you three actual film locations used in the movie.

They also operate a Helijet (helicopter/jetboat) tour in conjunction with Southern Lakes Helicopters.

You can do a one hour jetboat ride on the Upper Waiau River to see Lord of the Rings film locations, then return with Southern Lakes Helicopters on a 40 minute flight over the Kepler Mire where Frodo and Sam tramped through the Dead Marshes.

Fly over Lake Manapouri through Hurricane Passage to the Norwest Lakes where the Fellowship left Rivendell. Before returning to Te Anau , the helicopter will land so you can view the amazing Norwest Lakes and Lake Manapouri.

Or do the Trails of Middle Earth tour from Wanaka where you get the opportunity to handle and try on the jewellery, costumes and weapons.

If you have seen enough LOTR's to last you a life time, you may like to check out tours of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe locations.

Driving back to Christchurch either via the West Coast or across to Dunedin and up the coast, you can fly home from Christchurch.

This trip would require around 3-4 weeks. But some or all of it could give you a guide to a wonderful Lord of the Rings inspired itinerary.

NOTE: Alternatively you could fly to Christchurch from Queenstown.

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