New Zealand Lord of the Rings Tour Information

To experience Middle Earth in real life, book a New Zealand Lord of the Rings tour and visit top filming locations around the country.

New Zealand Lord of the Rings tour highlights include:

• Hobbiton Movie Set
• Weta Workshop
• Isengard
• Lothlorien
• Mount Doom
• Edoras
• Rivendell
• River Anduin

Read on for answers to frequently asked questions on New Zealand Middle Earth tours.

New Zealand Lord of the Rings Tour Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Middle Earth in real life?

For the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, New Zealand played the part of Middle Earth. In addition, most landscapes are real rather than CGI, so you can see the same mountains, rivers, and hobbit-holes that starred in the films.

Where is Middle Earth in New Zealand?

Film crews used landscapes all around New Zealand to create Middle Earth. Major filming destinations include:

• Matamata (Hobbiton)
• Glenorchy (Isengard, Lothlorien, Misty Mountains)
• Queenstown (River Anduin, Ford of Bruinen, Refugees of Rohan)
• Tongariro National Park (Mordor, Mt Doom)
• Wellington (the outer Shire, the gardens of Isengard, Rivendell)
• Mt Sunday (Edoras)

Where in New Zealand was the Lord of the Rings filmed?

Filming took place across the country. Wellington and Queenstown served as bases for numerous scenes, though other areas featured heavily as well.

In general, the South Island played the part of mountainous regions such as Rohan and Gondor, while the North Island doubled as the idyllic, rolling countryside of the Shire and the lava-strewn landscape of Mordor.

Is there a Lord of the Rings tour in New Zealand?

Many companies offer Lord of the Rings tours in different parts of New Zealand. The major Lord of the Rings tours include:

• Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
• Wellington Lord of the Rings Tour
• Queenstown Lord of the Rings Tour
• Glenorchy Lord of the Rings Tour
• Edoras Tour
• Lord of the Rings Helicopter Tours (Queenstown, Te Anau, Nelson)
• Tongariro National Park Lord of the Rings Tour

Our 14 Day Lord of the Rings Luxury Holiday Package includes several notable Lord of the Rings location tours.

Can you visit where Lord of the Rings was filmed?

Yes, you can visit countless Lord of the Rings filming destinations all across New Zealand. However, some destinations are only accessed by helicopter or by hiking, so you will need to pick and choose. The major filming destinations are included on tours around areas such as Matamata, Wellington, and Queenstown.

Can I visit Hobbiton without a tour?

No. The Hobbiton Movie Set is located on private farmland, so you will need to book a tour to visit. However, you do have the option to book a private tour if you prefer.

Can you stay overnight at Hobbiton?

No, there are no places to stay at the Hobbiton Movie Set. However, you can stay in the nearby village of Matamata, just a 20-minute drive from Hobbiton. Alternatively, visit the movie set on the drive between nearby destinations such as Auckland and Rotorua.

Can you rent a hobbit hole in New Zealand?

Yes, you can rent a hobbit hole. The two hobbit hole motels in New Zealand are:

• Underhill
• Woodlyn Park

Underhill is a romantic luxury glamping setup, set in a secluded, idyllic glen. This charming hobbit hole sleeps two.

Meanwhile, Woodlyn Park is a motel-style hobbit hole perfect for families.

What is the best Hobbiton tour?

If you can time your visit right, the Hobbiton Evening Banquet Tour is the best tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. However, this special experience only takes place on certain days of the week, so you may need to plan your travels around the tour.

The Hobbiton Evening Banquet Tour includes a daylight tour of the movie set, followed by a Hobbit-themed feast in the Green Dragon Inn. After that, enjoy a lantern-lit evening tour of Hobbiton. Experience the charming miniature village at its most picturesque, after the tourists have gone home.