If you’re looking for an adventure fit for Middle-earth enthusiasts and adventurers alike, look no further than the majestic landscapes of New Zealand.
As the real-life backdrop for the legendary J.R.R. Tolkien’s realm, you’ll be able to traverse lush forests, jagged mountains, ethereal valleys, all while learning about the secrets behind one of the most amazing fantasy epics ever.
If you want to do things the right way, I recommend opting for one of the 5 top LOTR tours in New Zealand, that are well worth your time and money. Let’s jump right in!
Best Lord of the Rings Tours in New Zealand
| Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch | Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown | Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour | |
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| Location: | 66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch or Hotel pickup available | 43 Camp Street, Queenstown or Hotel pickup available | 35 Lucas Place, Frankton, Queenstown or Hotel pickup available |
| Start: | 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM or 1:40 PM | Between 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Duration: | 9 hours | 4 hours | 1 hour and 10 minutes |
| Includes: | Picnic lunch with sparkling wine, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board | Tea with cake, biscuits and coffee, guided tour, live commentary, optional LOTR costumes, access to Arcadia Station filming | Landing and facility fees, 70 minutes of flight time, GST, live commentary |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Lord of the Rings Tours in New Zealand For 2024
- Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch
- Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown
- Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour
- Wellington’s Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour including Lunch
- Half-Day Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour from Queenstown
Lord of the Rings Tours in New Zealand Reviews
1. Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch
- Duration: 9 hours
- Departure: 66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch or Hotel pickup available
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Includes: Picnic lunch with sparkling wine, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board
Starting things off on the right foot, I knew I had to place the Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch first!
It’s the most comprehensive but also the longest of any on this list, perfect for those who have the entire free for adventuring! It’s beautiful, educational, engaging, and maybe even a little bit nerve-wracking, but makes for an absolutely breathtaking excursion that you’re sure to want to do again!
After being picked up at our hotel by our guide, we started out for Lake Clearwater, making a brief stop at the Mount Somers Hall so we could take a break and stretch our legs.
The 4WD vehicle we had for the day was smooth, spacious, and had nicely sized windows for viewing the incredible scenery outside.
As we drove along the varied terrain, our guide regaled us with some interesting commentary about the films, the geology of each area, and historical facts that only made it that much more entertaining.
Upon arrival to Edoras movie site, we took the route noblewoman Eowyn once walked, soaking in the impressive 360-degree views at the summit over the mirror-like lakes, jagged mountain peaks, and charming farmland.
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We got to see pics of exclusive BTS photos of when Edoras was being built, as well as important features of Middle-earth, like the Misty Mountains, River Snowbourn, and much more.
For me, it was fascinating learning about why Peter Jackson decided on this particular site in the entire world to film the famed trilogy.
We then took a well-deserved break for a picnic lunch complete with sparkling wine, before snapping some pics with cool replica props like Gimli’s axe or the sword of Aragorn!
We then got back into the car to reminisce over all of the amazing things we saw that day, filled with incredible scenery and fun facts! This is a must-do for any Lord of the Rings fan, or just for those who’d like to learn more about the local scenery from a knowledgeable guide!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure: 43 Camp Street, Queenstown or Hotel pickup available
- Departure Time: 8:00 AM or 1:40 PM
- Includes: Morning or afternoon tea with cake, biscuits and coffee, umbrellas provided, guided tour, live commentary, optional LOTR costumes, exclusive access to Arcadia Station filming locations
If the previous tour sounds like fun to you but you don’t have the entire day to spend out adventuring, I have the perfect alternative for you.
The Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown packs a ton into just a few hours, where you’ll get to learn all about the filming locations and see many firsthand.
With two different start times to choose from, they try to make it as convenient as possible to fit this amazing experience into your schedule. You don’t have to worry at all about booking separate transportation to get to the tour offices, because they’ll pick you up right from your hotel lobby!
This is great, because I do recommend bringing along a jacket and other warm clothing, even if it’s warm in Queenstown as it can get chilly up there.
Anyway, we cruised right along in our comfortable vehicle while we listened to our guide tell us all sorts of fun facts about the films and the Southern Alps.
Our first stop of the day was at Bennetts Bluff Lookout, which is known as the most beautiful in the entire country and is just a short stroll to the lookout area.
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The Twelve Mile Delta to Bob’s Cove Track was up next, where we took a leisurely walk to a stunning filming location over 12 Mile Canyon Footbridge. Our guide did a great job bringing each location to life, making it feel like I was almost stepping foot onto the LOTR movie set!
One of my favorite moments in the tour was visiting Glenorchy Wharf, where we visited one of the most photographed sheds in the country before strolling out over the Wharf to see all kinds of fish swimming around.
After, we were able to enter Mt. Aspiring National Park to explore the ancient forest and see various filming locations of not only LOTR, but Hobbit, Chronicles of Narnia, and much more!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour
- Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Departure: 35 Lucas Place, Frankton, Queenstown or Hotel pickup available
- Departure Time: Between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Includes: Landing and facility fees, 70 minutes of flight time, GST
If you’re really in a bind and don’t have much free time in your busy schedule for a longer LOTR tour, there’s no need to worry! I have you covered with this next tour, that will require less than 2 hours of your time!
The Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour is perhaps the most convenient of any of the tours of its kind, offering some of the most breathtaking views in the entire world!
I was surprised that with such a brief tour experience, they actually offered a complimentary hotel pickup so we didn’t have to make our way out to a meeting point on our own!
We headed out to Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, where we listened to a safety briefing and our pilot answered any questions we had. Our pilot was very nice, clearly very experienced, and made sure all of us were having a great time.
Our pilot was literally the main aerial film pilot for both the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, so he knows better than anyone about the areas and behind-the-scenes stories about filming these epic movies!
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As we soared through the air, he told us fascinating stories about the geology of the area relating back to the filming, before taking 2 different landings. The first was on Clarke Glacier in Mt. Aspiring Park, and the other was in Skippers Canyon.
One of the most iconic parts of the tour was flying over the famed mountain range that’s seen in the opening scene of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’, along with others.
Plus, landing on top of a glacier – who has the ability to do that?! If you have the opportunity, please don’t pass this up!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Wellington’s Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour including Lunch
- Duration: 8 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off available
- Departure Time: 8:30 AM
- Includes: LOTR themed lunch, local professional guide, visit LOTR movie locations, native forest walk, Weta workshop behind-the-scenes tour
Right in the middle of New Zealand’s rolling hills and rugged coastline sits the gateway to the enchanting world of Middle-earth! If you’ve ever wanted to step right into the pages of The Lord of the Rings, check out Wellington’s Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour including Lunch.
If you have the entire day available, this is one of the best full-day LOTR tours you could take!This cinematic adventure starts off with a convenient hotel pickup right from the lobby, with our expert guides there to share the lore of LOTR and the rich history of New Zealand.
From the iconic landscapes of Rivendell to the windswept shores of the Great River Anduin, each stop offers a glimpse into the incredible beauty that captivated both filmmakers and audiences, alike.
We set off on our little coach with our small group before arriving to Mt. Victoria and the Greenbelt for a 40-minute walk through the fabled Outer Shire, spotting various different filming locations.
Receiving an insider’s look into Weta Cave was also quite fun, learning about how they made The Lord of the Rings, along with various other films they’ve worked on through a documentary we watched.
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I really enjoyed the ‘Window into Workshop’ exhibition and picked up a couple of souvenirs at the gift shop onsite. After all that, we took a break to kick up our feet and enjoy a massive lunch at the Scorch-O-Rama!
With plenty of opportunities for photos and storytelling, you simply can’t skip this tour whether you’re a fan of the franchise or simply a nature lover! I’d recommend this one for entire families, as the guides do a great job of keeping everyone entertained – even little ones.
The drive out there is nice and relaxing, balancing out rest with hiking perfectly – don’t take my word for it, try it yourself!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Half-Day Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour from Queenstown
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off available
- Departure Time: 8:15 AM or 1:30 PM
- Includes: Transport by 4WD vehicle, gold panning, driver/guide
If you’re curious about going on a Lord of the Rings tour but don’t want to commit to an entire day, this next tour is for you.
The Half-Day Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour from Queenstown is a great way to explore the rugged landscapes made famous by blockbuster films like ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit with professional guides who know all about it.
This off-road adventure in the wilderness of NZ is some of the most fun that I’ve ever had, so if you are an adrenaline junkie, don’t let this opportunity pass you by.
Just like all of the other tours, this one also includes a complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off, so all transportation is taken care of for you.
The 4WD vehicle was super exciting, yet still had big windows for us to all take in the sweeping vistas of the mountain ranges, panoramic views, and much more. Also, I thought it was worth noting that our guide was an excellent driver who drove with precision and made us feel safe.
I loved driving up to Lake Wakatipu, where we got to take in the expansive vistas of the lake and Deer Park Heights, which you may recognize from the Battle of the Wargs scene and for use by the refugees of Rohan.
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Kawarau Gorge was another impressive spot, where Argonath, or Pillars of the Kings filming took place and where we got to take plenty of photos and videos.
Arrow River was also pretty cool, with its historic gold mining road and Ford of Buinen, where we sipped on afternoon tea and got to try gold panning!
We couldn’t forget Skippers Canyon, where we got to appreciate the incredible panoramic views of the Wakatipu Basin while learning about how thousands of miners arrived here during the 1862 gold rush!
At one time, the settlement even had a post office, hall, hotel, school, stores, and more! This tour perfectly balances the films with history, geology, and local history, making for an exciting experience that anyone would have a good time with.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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The Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch is Editors Choice for the best LOTR tours in New Zealand
