Wellington – Half Day Lord of the Rings City Tour

A half day tour of Wellington City including Mt Victoria and the Wellington film studios and post production facilities, including the Weta Workshop at ‘Wellywood’. Included is a guided tour of the physical prop-making and makeup side of the studio.

This half day tour brings out the best locations in Wellington City and is the best way to see Wellington’s Lord of the Ring locations with a knowledgeable specialist guide. Around the city the tour takes in Courtenay Place and the Embassy Movie theatre the home of two Premieres – “Return of the King” and the first Hobbit movie “The Unexpected Journey”.  Travel onto Mt Victoria for some magnificent views of the city and harbour, on the drive down a stop will be made at Hobbiton Woods where the filming of his epic trilogy began. This is the home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam & 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.

Now we are off to the Weta Workshop in Miramar. Here you have an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour where you see how props plus weaponry are made and probably 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.

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

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.

➜ We will make our way up to the Mount Victoria Lookout to see spectacular views of Wellington’s city and harbour. Have your cameras ready!

➜ On the way we drive up Courtenay Place, past the Embassy Picture Theatre which held two world premieres; The last LOTR instalment The Return of the King (2003), and the first Hobbit movie An Unexpected Journey (2012).

➜ From the Lookout we make our way down Mount Victoria to the Hobbiton Woods where the filming of his epic trilogy began. This is the home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam & 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.

➜ 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 props plus weaponry are made and probably 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.

➜ 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.

More info

✅ Drive past the Embassay Theatre, which was restored by Peter Jackson, and hosted two LOTR series world premieres.
✅ Check out the fantastic views and get some photos from the Mount Victoria lookout.
✅ Visit some of the filming loactions on Mount Victoria.
✅ Head to Weta Workshop in Mirimar, watch a short documentary and do a behind the scenes tour (entry included in tour price).
✅ Stop in at the Weta Cave, buy some souvenirs and pose for photos with characters and props.
✅ Finish the tour with a drive around the bays.