14 Day Lord of the Rings Itinerary

Experience Middle Earth at its most enchanting with a New Zealand Lord of the Rings Tour.

New Zealand Luxury Escapes will whisk you away to stunning filming locations, the Hobbiton Movie Set, and Weta Workshop. Our New Zealand Lord of the Rings tour showcases the very best of Middle Earth.

Our recommended New Zealand Lord of the Rings tour itinerary is as follows:

• Day 1 – Arrive in Auckland
• Day 2 – Rotorua Hobbiton Tour
• Day 3 – Rotorua Hell’s Gate
• Day 4 – Taupo
• Day 5 – Taupo
• Day 6 – Wellington
• Day 7 – Wellington Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour
• Day 8 – Kaikoura
• Day 9 – Christchurch
• Day 10 – Lake Pukaki
• Day 11 – Lake Pukaki Night Skygazing Experience
• Day 12 – Queenstown
• Day 13 – Queenstown Milford Sound Flight
• Day 14 – Queenstown Lord of the Rings Tour
• Day 15 – Depart Queenstown

Visit Hobbiton, Isengard, Weta Workshop, Lothlorien, the Misty Mountains, and more on this unforgettable Lord of the Rings tour.

Read on for full details of this New Zealand Lord of the Rings tour itinerary.

14 Day New Zealand Lord of the Rings Tour

Day 1 Arrive in Auckland

Your exclusive New Zealand experience begins in Auckland, the gateway to the North Island.

Auckland is known as the “City of Sails” and New Zealand’s largest city. Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanting holiday islands.

Stay 1 night in Auckland.

Accommodation: Park Hyatt Auckland

Day 2 Rotorua + Hobbiton Tour

Driving time Auckland to Matamata 2 hours

Make your way to Matamata to discover the real Middle-Earth on the most picturesque private farmland. Near Matamata, visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from the Lord of the Rings films in a fascinating two-hour guided tour. The set has been completely rebuilt and will remain as it was seen in the films. There are spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges from the rolling green hills of the movie set, which is still a working sheep and beef farm. End your tour with the taste of the Shire™, a delicious buffet lunch served in the Party Marquee.

Driving time Matamata to Rotorua 1 hour

Enjoy the scenic journey to Rotorua, distinguished by Maori culture and geothermal activity. This diverse city will put on a display as you encounter dramatic geysers, bubbling mud pools, crystal-clear streams, magical forests and 18 beautiful fresh water lakes.

Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.

Accommodation: Solitaire Lodge Rotorua

Day 3 Rotorua + Hell’s Gate Experience

The Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park is Rotorua’s most active geothermal area featuring a walkway lined with unique geothermal wonders and interactive opportunities. Experience the geothermal features with a self-guided map to show you around or join a guided tour of the reserve to learn more about the history, features and uniqueness of the geothermal area.

See bubbling mud pools, steaming craters, mineral pools, learn about New Zealand’s history and culture, and even try Maori weaving and wood carving! After this, the geothermal waters of the Hell’s Gate Sulphur Spa will rejuvenate and refresh you, as you relax and take in the surreal surroundings of the wondrous geothermal landscape.

Relax in Rotorua for the afternoon. You might like to take a wander through Rotorua’s public Kuirau Park and discover the steaming, hissing and bubbling geothermal activity.

You also have the option to visit the Redwoods Treewalk, which features 23 suspension bridges through 115-year-old redwood trees, or explore the Government Gardens and Museum, located on the waterfront of Lake Rotorua.

Day 4 Taupo

Driving time Rotorua to Taupo 1 hour

Make your way to Taupo today. Taupo is home to three of New Zealand’s iconic luxury lodges, world-class fly-fishing experiences and two of the country’s top 10 golf courses.

Nestled on the banks of the Waikato River in a location of immense beauty, Huka Lodge is consistently rated one of the world’s best luxury lodges. Enter a world where elegant and generous hospitality meets sophistication and style, creating a welcoming haven within 17 acres of magnificent manicured grounds. During your stay, indulge in pre-dinner drinks and canapés, a five-course gourmet dinner with a menu that changes daily, and a full country breakfast.

Stay 3 nights in Taupo.

Accommodation: Huka Lodge Taupo

Day 5 Taupo

Unwind and enjoy all Huka Lodge has to offer today. Your options include a tutored whisky tasting, a massage or beauty treatment, tennis or croquet, or any of the activities on offer in the surrounding regions.

Day 6 Wellington

Driving time Taupo to Wellington 5 hours

Wellington, New Zealand, was recently named “the coolest little capital in the world” by Lonely Planet. Surrounded by nature and fuelled by creative energy, Wellington is a compact city with a powerful mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine. Fuel your visit with strong coffee and world-class craft beer – Wellingtonians are masters of fine dining, with plenty of great restaurants to choose from.

Relax at Oriental Bay, Wellington’s golden-sand inner-city beach and delve into the many museums, art galleries and theatre shows that make up the city’s pulsing cultural scene.

Stay 3 nights in Wellington

Accommodation: Bolton Hotel

Day 7 Wellington + Lord of the Rings Tour

Today, join a full-day Lord of the Rings Tour! Follow in the footsteps of Hobbits, Dwarfs, Elves and Men.You will cover a lot of ground on the tour, but there is enough time to explore, recreate scenes for yourself, and work out how the movies were made. The scenery of Wellington mirrors that of Middle-Earth.

You will be collected from your central city accommodation between 8.30 am and 8.45 am. The morning is spent exploring the city locations; you will spend 40 minutes walking through the Outer Shire. This location includes the famous ‘Get off the road’ scene, the ‘shortcut to mushrooms,’ the Black Rider scenes and many more. Then it’s off to the Weta Studios for an inside look at the Wellington film industry. Your visit to Weta will include the ‘Window into Workshop’ exhibition, which is a guided tour of the inner working of the Weta Studios.

After the morning’s excitement, it’s time for an Orc sized lunch. You will head out to Scorch-O-Rama Café for an LOTR themed menu designed especially for your tours. This is included in the cost of your tour. After that, spend the afternoon exploring Great River Anduin, Gardens of Isengard and Rivendell. Also, see the quarry used for filming Helms Deep and Minas Tirith.

Day 8 Kaikoura

Sailing time Wellington to Picton 3.5 hours
Driving time Picton to Kaikōura 2.5 hours

Leave the North Island behind today as you sail to the South Island. It’s all about the journey today as you board the Interislander Cook Strait Ferry, which will transport you on a scenic cruise to Picton.

Enjoy the coastal drive along the South Island’s east coast to Kaikoura.

Kaikoura is a coastal town on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s known for its abundant wildlife and its sperm whale population. The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway winds from the town centre to lookout points at Point Kean. Close by, the rock platforms are home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals. The 1800s Fyffe House is a cottage built on a foundation of whalebones, with displays on the town’s whaling past.

Stay 1 night at Hapuku Lodge.

Accommodation: Hapuku Lodge

Day 9 Christchurch

Driving time Kaikoura to Christchurch – 3 hours

Your next New Zealand destination is Christchurch, a vibrant city influenced by English heritage and recent seismic events. Explore the city if you wish, or venture to Akaroa to visit wineries and the Barry’s Bay Cheesery. 

In the evening, experience the luxury of a 36-seater colonial-style dining tram. Enjoy fabulous dining at your private table with a sightseeing tour showcasing Christchurch’s inner city vibrancy and heritage.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Accommodation: The George

Day 10 Lake Pukaki

Driving time Christchurch to Lake Pukaki 3.5 hours

The Mackenzie Basin is home to some of New Zealand’s most sublime scenery. From towering peaks (including New Zealand’s tallest, Aoraki/Mt Cook) to brilliant turquoise lakes and shimmering glaciers, the Southern Alps are an awe-inspiring destination. Your first glimpse of the glacial lakes is at Lake Tekapo, a picturesque settlement surrounded by mountains.

Continuing south, you will pass by the breathtaking southern shores of Lake Pukaki before arriving at Lakestone Lodge, a purpose built, six bedroom, off grid, luxury lodge positioned in a spectacular location on the shores of Lake Pukaki. Your stay includes delicious three-course dinner each night and daily cooked breakfast.

Stay 2 nights in Lake Pukaki.

Accommodation: Lakestone Lodge

Day 11 Lake Pukaki + Stargazing

Make the scenic drive to Mount Cook Village, which is nestled at the base of the Southern Alps, with stunning views of Mount Cook and the surrounding mountains.

You have the option to visit The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, located at The Hermitage Hotel. You could also visit the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre. It’s like a state-of-the-art museum with two levels of informative displays about the flora, fauna, Maori heritage and walking tracks in the area.

At 27 kilometres in length, the mighty Tasman Glacier is a powerful place to visit. While it slowly carves the valley sides, it provides a landing place for helicopters making it one of the best places in the country for a scenic flight or glacier heli-hike. You can also take a short drive to the Tasman Valley (just to the right of Mt Cook Village), where you can do a short 10-minute walk up to a viewing point over Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest glacier.

In the evening, enjoy a unique stargazing experience at Lakestone Lodge that will treat you to the best of the Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. Your guide will prepare a perfectly positioned hammock so you are looking directly at the wonders above and makes you snug with a warm woollen blanket and complimentary hot drink. Your guide will point out all the highlights of the southern sky with a high powered laser pointer and explain some Maori legends about the sky as well as other interesting theories.

Day 12 Queenstown

Driving time Lake Pukaki to Queenstown 3 hours

Today your journey takes you to Queenstown, the ultimate luxury destination on New Zealand’s South Island. From world-class accommodation to indulgent spa experiences, superb cuisine and exclusive tours, Queenstown is a one of a kind destination. 

The journey to Queenstown deserves to be savoured as well – stop and take in the views from the top of Lindis Pass, sample fresh fruit in Cromwell, and perhaps stop for a picturesque vineyard lunch as you pass through the Gibbston Valley.

Indulge yourself at the stunning Azur Lodge. A distinctively contemporary luxury lodge located on a hilltop overlooking some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand. The best of both worlds – the feeling of privacy and remoteness and yet in five minutes be part of the local dynamic scene in downtown Queenstown. Absorb the incredible views in chic luxury and total privacy, as the floor to ceiling windows frame the outstanding unobstructed views.

Stay 3 nights in Queenstown.

Accommodation: Azur Lodge

Day 13 Queenstown + Milford Sound

Enjoy a scenic flight over Fiordland to reach Milford Sound. Upon reaching Milford Sound, you will enjoy a 2.5 hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise.

With specialist nature guides on board, Real Journeys Nature Cruises offer a close-up experience of Milford Sound’s rainforest, soaring rock walls, towering snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, hanging valleys and wildlife…words just don’t do it justice, you have to see it for yourself! Throughout the cruise, the guides share stories of the fiord’s history and are happy to answer your questions.

After your cruise, relax on the flight while your pilot delivers you back to Queenstown.

The afternoon is yours to indulge in the best Queenstown has to offer. From exclusive wine tours to a plethora of adrenaline activities on offer, Queenstown will leave you hungry for more.

Day 14 Queenstown + Lord of the Rings Tour

Today join Nomad Safaris for their Full Day Lord of The Rings Tour. Explore the magical side of New Zealand and understand why this beautiful country was chosen to portray Middle-earth. The Queenstown area featured prominently in the filming of the incredibly popular Lord of the Rings trilogy. 

The Safari of the Scenes full day tour covers much ground to deliver the signature scenes shot around the Queenstown region. The morning tour travels along the Wakatipu Lake edge to the small hamlet of Glenorchy. En route from Glenorchy follow the Dart River to the spectacular filming location for Isengard. This location offers stunning views of Mt Earnslaw. Heading to Paradise discover the location for the Forest of Lothlorien. Leaving Glenorchy and heading towards Queenstown you will stop at 12 Mile Delta to explore the location of the Ithilien Camp.

The afternoon tour takes you to The Remarkables, which were used as various mountains throughout the trilogy including the Misty Mountains. Travelling partway up this beautiful mountain range, you get a bird’s-eye view of the area that was used for two scenes—the Refugees of Rohan and the Battle of the Wargs. Travelling from The Remarkables, you then head to the Kawarau Gorge, where the filming took place for the Argonath, or Pillars of the Kings. Leaving the gorge, the trip heads to Arrowtown, where the loss of the One Ring at Gladden Fields was filmed.

Near Arrowtown you will experience some true off-road adventures. Following a historic gold mining road up the Arrow River, you will cross the river to get to the Ford of Bruinen. At this point you can try your hand at a spot of gold panning. From Arrowtown you will travel to the entrance of Skippers Canyon, where you will be offered spectacular panoramic views of the Wakatipu Basin. 

Enjoy your final evening in paradise, and raise a glass to a perfect New Zealand luxury holiday!

Day 15 Depart Queenstown

As your unforgettable holiday draws to a close, soak in the views one last time before departing Queenstown at your leisure.

Plan your New Zealand Lord of the Rings Tour

Our Lord of the Rings luxury holiday package is fully customizable. For example, you may wish to include additional filming locations along your route. Options include:

• Mordor and Mount Doom (Tongariro National Park) by helicopter, departing from Taupo
• Middle-Earth Queenstown by helicopter, departing from Queenstown

We can also change your accommodation level, modify the itinerary to suit your time frame, or add or remove activities.

When planning your Middle Earth holiday, read our Lord of the Rings tour information for ideas and inspiration.

You could even consider a stay in a hobbit hole for the ultimate Lord of the Rings experience.

Contact us today to begin planning your luxury New Zealand Lord of the Rings tour.