Middle-Earth Filming Location Full Day

Middle-Earth Filming Location Full Day

See Middle-earth on this scenic tour of The Lord of the Rings outdoor filming locations in the Wellington area. Travel around in a comfortable vehicle, stopping at locations that served as the Shire, River Anduin, Helm Deep, Rivendell and more. As you channel your inner Gandalf or Frodo, hear fun facts and insider commentary from a guide. Refreshments are included. Choose either a half-day or full-day tour; each is limited to only six passengers, ensuring you enjoy a small-group experience.

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.