Wellington – Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour

Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour – Middle Earth filming locations, Miramar Production Studio’s & Weta Cave and Mt Victoria.

This Lord of the Rings tour is more than visiting filming sites. Your guide will share fascinating little-known gems relating to the filming at each site, The first stop is the Dry Creek Quarry where you see the filming site of Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith. A short drive will see us stop at the River Anduin (Hutt River) where the Fellowship travelled to Amon Hen.

Then it is on to the site of Gardens of Isengard Harcourt Park) where Gandalf met Saruman the White to discuss the Ring, and it is also where Saruman’s Orc army destroy the gardens. Next stop is Rivendell (Kaitoke Regional Park) the home of the Elves. Enjoy a walk through Rivendell and see the nearby river used for the scene where Éomer recovers the dying Théodred, son of King Théoden.

Now we are off to the Weta Workshop in Miramar. Here you have an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour (entry included in your tour price) where you see how Lord of the RIngs props plus weaponry are made and probably meet artists at work making props.

From Weta you will head to Mount Victoria to the Hobbiton Woods where the filming of the epic trilogy began. This is the home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam and Frodo’s Second Breakfast; the location where the Hobbits hid from the Black Rider (“Get off the Road!”); the Race to the Buckleberry Ferry scene; and King Théoden’s Dunharrow Encampment. (This part of the tour has some limited wheelchair accessibility)

A little further on is the Mount Victoria Lookout and here you will see spectacular views of Wellington’s city and harbour. The tour concludes with a drive past the Embassy Picture Theatre the home of two Premieres “Return of the King” and the first Hobbit movie “The Unexpected Journey”.

Highlights:

•Mount Victoria

•Rivendell

•Anduin River

•Gardens of Isengard

•Buckland Forest & Buckleberry Ferry

•Helms Deep

•Minas Tirith

•Lothlorien

•Gladden fields

•Miramar

•Weta Cave

Port Pickup & Drop off:  Your pick-up will be 45 minutes after the ship has docked (even if your ship has been delayed or arrives early) with 8.45am being the earliest pick-up time.

Meeting instructions will be sent at time of booking.

Live the Hobbit Life with a Lord of the Rings Tour in Wellington, New Zealand!

Step into Middle-earth with the tour that visits more filming locations than any other in Wellington! Our expert guides bring the magic to life with rare behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive photos from the Tolkien Society—see exactly what happened at each iconic site. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a curious traveler, this is the ultimate experience for anyone enchanted by the world of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Embark on an epic journey through Middle-earth in Wellington!

➜ This tour is more than just visiting the filming sites! On this informative tour, your guide will share fascinating little-known gems relating to the filming at each site, that will make you want to watch the films all over again!

➜ From your hotel or i-Site pickup we make our way to the Hutt Valley. The first stop is the Dry Creek Quarry where you see the filming site of Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith.

➜ A short drive will see us stop at the River Anduin (Hutt River) where the Fellowship travelled to Amon Hen.

➜ Then it is on to the site of Gardens of Isengard Harcourt Park) where Gandalf met Saruman the White to discuss the Ring, and it is also where Saruman’s Orc army destroy the gardens.

➜ Next stop is Rivendell (Kaitoke Regional Park) the home of the Elves. Enjoy a walk through Rivendell and see the nearby river used for the scene where Éomer recovers the dying Théodred, son of King Théoden. More adventurous travellers may also cross the swing bridge over the Hutt River.

➜ Now we are off to the Weta Workshop in Miramar. Here you have an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour (entry included in your tour price) where you will see how props plus weaponry are made and possibly meet artists at work making props.(*)

➜ At the Weta Cave you will be given the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and have photos with Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai, Bilbo’s three Trolls, and characters from other movies that Weta has been involved in. We will arrange for you to act and pose (photo shoot) with the trolls and other props. This is fun and enjoyed by everyone.

➜ Your guide will discuss with you any lunch preference, Café, takeaway, pub (all depending on time).

➜ After lunch you will head to Mount Victoria to the Hobbiton Woods where the filming of the epic trilogy began. This is the home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam and Frodo’s Second Breakfast; the location where the Hobbits hid from the Black Rider (“Get off the Road!”); the Race to the Buckleberry Ferry scene; and King Théoden’s Dunharrow Encampment. (This part of the tour has some limited wheelchair accessibility)

➜ A little further on is the Mount Victoria Lookout and here you will see spectacular views of Wellington’s city and harbour. Have your cameras ready!

➜ The tour concludes with a drive past the Embassy Picture Theatre the home of two Premieres “Return of the King” and the first Hobbit movie “The Unexpected Journey”.

(*) Subject to Weta Workshop’s format. Weta Workshop may change details without notice, but will be approximately the same as described here.

➜ Please be aware that the tour may alter in format as it is based around the availability of the Weta Workshop Tour