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New Zealand
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Wellington
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Tours & Activities
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Middle-Earth Filming Location Full Day
4 h
About this activity
While most of the structures from The Lord of the Rings films have been removed, the scenery surrounding Wellington remains an image of Middle-earth. Tour the area by comfortable air-conditioned bus, listening to commentary and behind-the-scenes stories from your guide, a knowledgeable Middle-earth enthusiast.
Half-Day Tour (4 hours):
Your Middle-earth film locations tour starts with pickup in Wellington in either the morning or afternoon, depending on option selected. With your guide, set off into the countryside to see the spectacular North Island locations where scenes from The Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed.
Visit the filming sites for the outskirts of the Shire, the Gardens of Isengard and the River Anduin; discover the quarry used for the filming of Helms Deep in Rohan and Minas Tirith in Gondor; and see where the Hobbits raced to the ferry. See the site that served as Rivendell when Frodo recovered from his knife attack, the location of the river where Aragorn washed up after the Warg attack and the place where Gandalf rode to see Saruman.
You’ll also head up to the Mt Victoria lookout for photo ops and panoramic views of the city. During the tour, morning or afternoon tea is provided.
Your tour ends when you return to your departure point in Wellington.
Full-Day Tour (8 hours):
After departing Wellington in the morning with your guide, take off on an entertaining journey through the Wellington region. This full-day tour takes in all of the Middle-earth sites from the half-day tour, as well as a few others.
The morning portion of your adventure follows the same itinerary as the half-day tour, including a snack for morning tea. Then enjoy an outdoor lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit beautiful Fernside Lake, which was used during filming as part of Lothlorien and the Gladden fields. Admire the lakeside spot where Smeagol and Deagol fought for the ring, and see the white bridge that serves as a reminder of the Lothlorien bridge.
The full-day tour also includes a visit to Miramar, where many of the films’ stars and crew, including Peter Jackson, lived and worked during production. Your last stop is Weta Cave, a souvenir shop and mini-museum where you can purchase collectibles and watch an interview with Peter Jackson and a behind-the-scenes video of the making of the film trilogy.
Your day tour ends with return to your departure point in Wellington.
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Half-Day Tour (4 hours):
Your Middle-earth film locations tour starts with pickup in Wellington in either the morning or afternoon, depending on option selected. With your guide, set off into the countryside to see the spectacular North Island locations where scenes from The Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed.
Visit the filming sites for the outskirts of the Shire, the Gardens of Isengard and the River Anduin; discover the quarry used for the filming of Helms Deep in Rohan and Minas Tirith in Gondor; and see where the Hobbits raced to the ferry. See the site that served as Rivendell when Frodo recovered from his knife attack, the location of the river where Aragorn washed up after the Warg attack and the place where Gandalf rode to see Saruman.
You’ll also head up to the Mt Victoria lookout for photo ops and panoramic views of the city. During the tour, morning or afternoon tea is provided.
Your tour ends when you return to your departure point in Wellington.
Full-Day Tour (8 hours):
After departing Wellington in the morning with your guide, take off on an entertaining journey through the Wellington region. This full-day tour takes in all of the Middle-earth sites from the half-day tour, as well as a few others.
The morning portion of your adventure follows the same itinerary as the half-day tour, including a snack for morning tea. Then enjoy an outdoor lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit beautiful Fernside Lake, which was used during filming as part of Lothlorien and the Gladden fields. Admire the lakeside spot where Smeagol and Deagol fought for the ring, and see the white bridge that serves as a reminder of the Lothlorien bridge.
The full-day tour also includes a visit to Miramar, where many of the films’ stars and crew, including Peter Jackson, lived and worked during production. Your last stop is Weta Cave, a souvenir shop and mini-museum where you can purchase collectibles and watch an interview with Peter Jackson and a behind-the-scenes video of the making of the film trilogy.
Your day tour ends with return to your departure point in Wellington.
Included
- Morning or afternoon tea
- Local guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch
- Entry/Admission - Weta Workshop
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Attention cruise ship passengers: Please note that you'll be picked up directly at the dock as soon as you disembark your ship; on-time return to ship is NOT guaranteed
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
Features
Tourism
85%
Cultural
60%
Original
55%
Aquatic
15%
Reviews
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The tour was about what we expected EXCEPT that the info on the tour promised a group size of up to six. There were about 16 people in the group. We felt that we paid a premium price for a small group tour, and that was not what we received. Very disappointing.
Was very expensive for what it was. Could use more modern technology to enhance the experience, e.g. short video clips from the movie. Felt like we could have seen one or two more locations within the time allotted considering they appeared to be on the way. Was promised afternoon tea as advertised on the web-page, but did not deliver. Tour guide was good, knowledgeable, but yes felt like we could have got more out of it for spending 170 and all they did was drive us to locations, a little petrol etc and cans of soft drink. It was definitely better than if we had gone to those locations on our own, but maybe considering the cost it would have been justifiable to do that instead. Car was comfy
Tour guide was very good and no complaints about him at all. Trip was very much overpriced for what was received. Did not find the Middle Earth worth the money as there was very little to see due to nothing being left behind following filming. Hobbiton movie set was a better option for Lord of the Rings fans in our opinion.
The tour was good. Was expecting a bit more as what the website describes. Was a bit disappointed that your website shows photos of the hobbit holes yet you don't see them. Think the website needs to be updated.
We lived it but did not realize in advance it was a tour in a bus of the outside sites of the movie locations. There was no real description of the event. But we loved it