Home » All Guided Tours » New Zealand 7 Day Tour » New Zealand Lord Of The Rings Guided Tours
If you’re short on time, this is the New Zealand Lord of the Rings Tour package you can’t miss. See the most iconic Lord of the Rings filming locations on both islands on this must do New Zealand guided holiday. Your private guide will meet you at the airport and take you on an insider’s tour of Middle-earth! Offering the best flexible New Zealand escorted tours with no date or itinerary restrictions.
Read on for the full details of the 7 Day Lord of the Rings Tour Package.
Your fantastic guided Lord of the Rings holiday begins in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland.
Auckland is a multi-cultural urban oasis of food, music, arts and culture. World-class shopping and phenomenal dining is never too far from harbours, islands, native bush and black-sand beaches.
Explore Auckland with your guide. The Auckland Museum is well worth a visit with internationally significant Māori and Pacific collections to explore.
If you would like to get straight into nature; skipper an America’s Cup Yacht or experience Whale Watching. Or visit top attractions such as the Sky Tower and Mt Eden’s volcanic crater.
In the evening the fairy lights of Federal Street will lure you into some of the finest restaurants in Auckland or head down to The Viaduct, a food and drinks hub in central Auckland.
Stay 1 night in Auckland.
Travel time Auckland to Waitomo Caves – 2.5 hours
Venture off the beaten track as your guide takes you on a scenic drive to the Waitomo Caves. Witness the marvels of these vast caverns as you explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves where you will be dazzled by a galaxy of glowworms overhead.
Travel time Waitomo Caves to Taupo – 2 hours
Enjoy the scenic drive to Taupo, a small town set beside New Zealand’s largest lake. With the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park looming in the distance, and the lake itself formed from an ancient volcanic crater, you will get a close-up look at the immense forces that shaped New Zealand.
Taupo is rich in natural beauty with attractions such as the Huka Falls. Visit this stunning natural attraction with your guide.
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a real hidden gem. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colourful and unique geothermal elements.
Stay 1 night in Taupo.
In the morning, lift-off high above Lake Taupo to soar around the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park. Fly over Mt Doom as you explore the craters and colourful volcanic lakes on a scenic floatplane flight.
Travel time Taupo to Rotorua – 1 hour
Your geothermal experience will continue as you enjoy the short drive to Rotorua. Tour the exciting geothermal attractions with your guide, visiting sulphur springs, mud pools, geysers, and sinter terraces.
In the afternoon, you have the option to visit Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve to soak in a relaxing sulphur spa. Other options include visiting the Redwoods Treewalk, which features 23 suspension bridges through 115-year-old redwood trees.
Top recommendations for the evening include a Maori Culture Experience inclusive of a Hangi Dinner (traditional Maori Earth Oven Dinner). Or taking the Skyline Gondola with a delicious dinner atop the Skyline Complex.
Stay 1 night in Rotorua.
Travel time Rotorua to Matamata – 1 hour
Experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, where you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did. Your guide will escort you around the set, pointing out famous locations and explaining how the movie was made.
You will be fully guided around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Holes™, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn, where you will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ beverage.
Travel time Matamata to Auckland – 2 hours
Explore Auckland with your guide this evening. You may want to do a spot of shopping at the Britomart Shopping Precinct or discover Auckland’s diverse range of cuisine and check out the buzzing nightlife of the central city. Favourite spots include the Viaduct Harbour, the Britomart Precinct and Federal Street.
Stay 1 night in Auckland.
Today, take a domestic flight from Auckland to Queenstown. (Price of flight not included in holiday package, please enquire for indicative pricing.)
Queenstown sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges. Let Queenstown awaken your inner-explorer. Whether you’re interested in exploring Lord of the Rings Film Locations, indulging in food and wine, or seeking adrenaline thrills – there are adventures to be found here of all tastes and tempos.
Tour Queenstown with your guide in the afternoon, with the option to visit a winery or two in the Gibbston Valley of Vines, or ride the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu.
Or choose from any adventure activity on offer in Queenstown; bungy jumping, skydiving, paragliding, quad biking, zip lining and more. If you’re looking for a slightly slower pace there’s plenty of recreational activities like the Kiwi Birdlife Park, or spa and wellness options to help you truly feel worlds away.
Stay 3 nights in Queenstown.
Explore the Lord of the Rings filming locations around Queenstown today on a Safari of the Scenes 4WD tour.
The Queenstown tour takes you to see The Remarkables, which were used as the Misty Mountains. Travelling part way up Queenstown hill you get a birds-eye view onto Deer Park Heights, which was used for the refugees of Rohan and the Battle of the Wargs scenes. Travelling from The Queenstown hill viewpoint head to the Kawarau Gorge where the filming took place for the Argonath, or Pillars of the Kings.
Leaving the Kawarau Gorge the trip heads to Arrowtown where the loss of The One Ring at Gladden Fields was shot. Near Arrowtown, you will experience a true off-road adventure. Follow a historic gold mining road up the Arrow River, you will cross the river many times to get to the Ford of Bruinen. Indulge in morning tea and try gold panning. From Arrowtown, you will travel to the entrance of Skippers Canyon where you will be offered spectacular panoramic views of Queenstown and into Skippers Canyon.
In the afternoon, you have the option to add on a helicopter flight to see remote filming locations tucked in spectacular mountain valleys and ridges throughout the region, or to enjoy a steamship cruise and high country farm dinner with the TSS Earnslaw.
Bring your fantastic holiday to a close today with an unforgettable wilderness jet boat safari.
Your guide will drive you to the stunning township of Glenorchy, nestled at the head of Lake Wakatipu, stopping for views along the way. The jet boat safari continues past Glenorchy up the Dart River, which passes into the Paradise Valley (easily recognisable as Isengard). Stop for a nature walk through the forest used as Lothlorien, and marvel at the snow-capped mountain peaks and stunning turquoise river.
Relax and explore Glenorchy with your guide. Enjoy a forest walk, visit more filming locations (including the Ithilien Camp, the location of the Battle of Amon Hen, and the setting for Beorn’s house from The Hobbit).
Your guide will deliver you to Queenstown Airport for your departing flight.
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