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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:
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.
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: Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Driving time Auckland to Taupo 4 hours or flight time 50 minutes
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
Transfer Taupo to Matamata – 1.5 hours (each way)
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. You can relax and soak up the unique atmosphere with a great cup of coffee or a light meal in The Shires Rest Cafe.
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.
Driving time Taupo to Wellington 5 hours or flight time 1 hour
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.
Stay 3 nights in Wellington
Accommodation: Bolton Hotel
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 cafe for an LOTR themed menu designed especially for Wellington Rover Tours. This is included in the cost of your tour.
The afternoon is spent exploring the Great River Anduin, the Gardens of Isengard, and Rivendell. You will also see the location where Helms Deep and Minas Tirith were filmed.
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.
Flight time Wellington to Nelson 45 minutes
Driving time Nelson to Abel Tasman 1 hour or heli transfer 30 minutes
Leave the North Island behind today as you take a flight south to Nelson. Venture into Abel Tasman National Park, which offers secluded golden-sand beaches, lush native forests, and crystal-clear bays. This is the perfect way to unwind as you become acquainted with New Zealand.
Stonefly Lodge has four simply but beautifully appointed guest rooms, all with wide views across the river valley and nearby Kahurangi National Park. All power is generated on site and the lodge has been applauded for its sensitive environmental development and sustainability policy.
The Motueka River is renowned for its trout with some of the country’s highest trout populations; recent drift dives indicate populations of 100-500 trout per kilometre.
The lodge is centred around a high galleried great room with a large double-sided stone fireplace. The main dining area, bar, library-games area, and sunroom are all linked through this main room, providing a fabulous social space to mingle or withdraw, whatever your preference.
Stay 3 nights at Stonefly Lodge, Motueka.
Accommodation: Stonefly Lodge
Enjoy a boat cruise into Abel Tasman National Park, where you can relax on the hot golden sand, enjoy a day walk, or simply remain aboard for a return boat cruise. Take in the natural beauty and enjoy! This trip allows you to explore sections of the Abel Tasman Coast Track; the boat will stop at scenic points along the way where you can get off and walk a section of the track. The boat will then collect you later in the day. You could also just pack a picnic lunch and beach towels and laze on the beach for the day.
The day is yours to unwind, indulge in the facilities and activities on offer at Stonefly Lodge, or explore Abel Tasman National Park further.
You also have the option to add a Lord of the Rings helicopter flight to the entrance of the Mines of Moria (Mt Owen).
Flight time Nelson to Queenstown – 3 hours (2 flights)
Today your journey takes you to Queenstown, the ultimate luxury destination on New Zealand’s South Island.
Experience the best of Queenstown from the comfort of your premium lakefront penthouse at Eichard’s Private Hotel. For those who demand the height of excellence, the penthouse at Eichardt’s is the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Overlooking the shores of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounds, the penthouse offers pure indulgence. The Penthouse experience commences on arrival. Your dedicated butler will escort you to your rooms, where you will enjoy every luxury, including pre-dinner cocktails served in-suite, Krug Champagne, and an excellent selection of Moet & Hennessy spirits replenished daily. Daily breakfast is prepared by your private chef.
Stay 4 nights in Queenstown.
Accommodation: Eichardt’s Private Hotel
Experience the best of The Lord of The Rings on this unique scenic helicopter tour of Lord of the Rings Forest locations.
After leaving Queenstown Airport, climb the steep slopes of the Misty Mountains to the Dimrill Dale and the great Gates of Khazad-dum. Mirrormere, source of the River Silverlode also lies below and after a pause for photographs you will cross Lake Wakatipu itself (Nen Hithoel) towards Amon Hen, scene of the Breaking of the Fellowship.
Excellent views can be obtained of the forest where Lurtz fought his final battle against Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas and Gimli. You will also see the site of the Ilithien camp where Frodo and Sam hid from the battle and first saw the Oliphants.
You will then continue Westward for a landing atop Mt Alfred (Dol Baran) where the vista of Nan Curunir (scene of Isengard and the Tower of Orthanc) unfolds. The great forest beckons, and as you fly over the outskirts of Lothlorien, the massive peaks of the Misty Mountains tower overhead.
Travel East towards the old gold mining area of Skippers before flying over the River Bruinen, the scene of the desperate encounter between Arwen and the Black Riders. Homeward bound, to your left can be seen further glimpses of the River Anduin (location of the Gates of Argonath) before landing back at Queenstown Airport.
This is the ultimate New Zealand Lord of the Rings tour for true Lord of the Rings fans – a flight through J.R.R. Tolkien’s imagination and Peter Jackson’s movie-making awaits you.
Today you have the option to explore the dramatic coastline of Lake Wakatipu on a cruise aboard the indulgent Pacific Jemm. Lake Wakatipu is over 80km long and offers a huge variety of landscapes to enjoy from out on the water. Secluded coves and towering mountain ranges, private beaches and a vibrant inner harbour give scope to make your experience one to remember.
On this cruise you would enjoy an antipasto lunch with champagne, before stopping off at Bob’s cove for a swim (if you dare!)
Today is spent at your leisure, either relaxing in the privacy of your Eichardt’s Penthouse and perhaps indulging in one of the spa treatments on offer, or adding another activity from the wide array available in Queenstown. Options range from guided nature walks to private wine tours.
As your unforgettable holiday draws to a close, soak in the views one last time before departing Queenstown at your leisure.
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:
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.
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