7 New Zealand Lord Of The Rings Tours With The Best Experience

Home of the Middle-earth, New Zealand and Lord of the Rings go hand-in-hand. From the towering Mount Doom in Mordor to the dreamy Shire, New Zealand’s otherworldly landscapes brought the movies to life. 

With filming locations spanning over 150 places in the North and the South Islands, how does one go about planning a New Zealand Lord of the Rings sightseeing trip? 

Well, let the experts do it. 

New Zealand Lord of the Rings specialists can take you on a tour where fantasy becomes reality. Check out these New Zealand Lord of the Rings tours that will take you on the ultimate adventure to Middle-earth and back again. Some will even take you off-the-beaten-track to secret filming locations!

14 Day Lord of the Rings Tour

For the avid Tolkien fan, this 14-day tour will take you on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Middle-earth, traveling from Auckland to Queenstown via many filming locations, movie studios and experiences. 

You will also meet those involved in the making of the movies, and travel off the beaten track into the most breathtaking landscapes.

Along the way, there are also opportunities for tons of activities. Think helicopter flights and landings on iconic mountains seen in the films, blacksmithing workshops and kayaking down rivers in stunning movie locations!

6 Day Lord of the Rings North Island Tour

This 6-day tour whisks you away from Auckland on an adventure exploring Hobbiton, Trollshaw Forest, Mordor and Emyn Muil locations, Gollum’s fishing pool, the Secret Entrance to Erebor, Weta Workshop, Weta Cave, Roxy Theater and an iconic “get off the road” location from The Fellowship of the Ring. Enjoy all of this while driving through stunning New Zealand Middle-earth scenery!

This tour also includes special presentations by Daniel Reeve, the calligrapher and map maker for both LOTR and Hobbit Trilogies. During Winter months, there will also be a special movie guest!

2 Day Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua Tour

Discover the otherworldly beauty of New Zealand’s North Island, from Rotorua’s geothermal pools and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves to the Shire at the Hobbiton movie set. 

On this 2-day coach tour you’ll travel to Shire to learn the filmmaking history of Lord of the Rings, admire Te Puia with its thermal mud pools and impressive geysers, and enjoy a scenic drive across the Kaimai Ranges.

You’ll also experience real Maori culture at Tamaki Village with rituals, ceremonies, performances, storytelling and a traditional feast!

Edoras Tour

Don’t have that much time to spare? Take a day out for this tour that will take you to the remote area of Mount Sunday. This peaceful area was transformed into Edoras, the capital city of the Rohan people in the LOTR trilogy.

Immerse yourself in its unspoiled beauty, sparkling lakes, glistening rivers and fresh, crisp mountain air.

Guides will provide entertaining and informative commentary along the way. Enjoy a short walk to the summit of Edoras for spectacular 360 views. Movie replica swords and stunning scenery will also ensure unparalleled photo opportunities!

Whether you’re a LOTR fan, or just want to experience New Zealand’s scenery, this tour has it all!

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Experience the real Middle-earth on this Hobbiton tour, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire.

Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did. Journey through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will then escort you around the set, showing the intricate details and explain how the movie magic took place.

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 to conclude your Middle-earth adventure!

The Evening Banquet Tour

Alternatively, you can experience the Hobbiton Movie Set as you have never seen it before with a guided tour at dusk. Your tour guide will escort you through the site at sunset, recounting fascinating stories and anecdotes about the trilogies. 

The tour concludes at The Green Dragon dining room, where guests will enjoy a banquet feast fit for a Hobbit. The tables will be heaving with traditional Hobbit fare! As is the tradition in the Shire, second helpings are encouraged.

After dinner, guests will rejoin their guide to make their way back through the wandering paths of The Shire. The trails will be illuminated by lights and handheld lanterns will help light the way. This stunning journey take you through the village, with Hobbit Hole chimneys smoking and lanterns glowing in the darkness.

Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour

On this guided tour, you will discover and learn more about iconic LOTR sceneries. Go from Isengard to Amon Hen, Lothlorien Forest, The Misty Mountains and Ithilien!

Discover the absolute beauty of the Dart River Valley. Roam through the UNESCO World Heritage listed Mt Aspiring National Park. Encounter stunning ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier carved valleys.

Take the opportunity to dress up in costume in Lothlorien Forest! You’ll come away with amazing photos and lasting memories from this unforgettable trip.