Itinerary
Discover New Zealand from Auckland to Queenstown where you will visit Lord of the Rings filming locations, Weta Studios, and Hobbiton. Are you ready for your own unexpected journey?
Haere Mai – Welcome to Auckland.
Arrive into Auckland and once you have cleared Customs and collected your luggage, make your way to the car rentals desk to collect your vehicle and travel to your accommodation.
The afternoon is yours to relax or to explore the ‘City of Sails’.
An easy drive south of Auckland lies the Waikato region of Hobbiton, a land of lush pastures that was chosen to play The Shire in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Here you will take a tour of the 12-acre Hobbiton Movie Set, including the hobbit holes, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon Inn.
Continue your drived to Rotorua for an overnight stay and if time permits, you may wish to purchase an optional afternoon or evening tour to one of Rotorua’s geothermal wonders.
Rise early for your journey south as you stop at Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake and home to the thundering Huka Falls. Pass volcanic national parks & forest until you reach the coolest little capital in the world – Wellington.
This afternoon, take a behind the scenes look at Weta Cave Workshop, home to the creators of props and costumes of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
After check-out, head to the Interislander ferry vehicle terminal to board your 3 ½ hour ferry journey to Picton, South Island. For vehicle check in please arrive no later then 1 hour prior to departure time.
Proudly New Zealand’s original Cook Strait ferry – Interislander has been connecting the North and South Islands for nearly 60 years! Along with the breathtaking views, enjoy locally sourced food and beverages, cinema’s, free kids activities and premium lounges on board all their ferries.
Upon arrival into Picton, make your way to Picton Beachcomber for an overnight stay.
Travel through vineyards and rolling hillsides to the seaside settlement of Kaikoura. If arriving at Kaikoura early, we recommend purchasing tickets to join a Whale Watching Cruise for the ultimate marine experience.
Known as a mecca for seafood lovers, we recommend visiting one of the local seafood restaurants for dinner to try the local delicacies including the town’s namesake – Crayfish.
Enjoy the morning at leisure to wander Kaikoura Beach or visit one of the many spectacular lookouts over Kaikoura Peninsular – keep an eye out for whales & seals!
From Kaikoura it is a two-hour drive to Christchurch or you may like to take a more scenic inland route via Hanmer Springs to bathe in the mineral pools in their alpine setting.
Make your way south to Christchurch – the Garden City for a two-night stay.
Experience a full day Lord of the Rings Tour to Edoras filming location – a remote and beautiful Mt Potts High Country station, home of Mt Sunday. See how this peaceful mountain was transformed into Edoras, the capital city of the Rohan people in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Immerse yourself in the natural, unspoilt beauty of this breathtaking area with its sparkling clear lakes, glistening blue rivers and fresh, crisp mountain air.
Head south across the Canterbury Plains, through the picturesque town of Geraldine until you reach Lake Tekapo. Admire the turquoise-coloured lake and home to the Church of the Good Shepherd. After a short lunch stop, travel inland along the edge of Lake Pukaki towards the small village of Mount Cook. We highly recommend purchasing an optional scenic flight that travels above the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park for the ultimate Southern Alps experience. Your rest stop tonight is the small town of Twizel, locally famous for its Salmon farms.
Enjoy this morning at leisure.
Your trip to Wanaka takes you through the beautiful Lindis Pass – just magic when there’s snow around. You might like to stop at one of the vineyards that have been established here in recent years (mainly pinot noir and Riesling) before you head inland to reach your destination of the peaceful and picturesque lakeside town Wanaka.
From the waterfront, look towards the Alps at the end of the lake and you will see the backdrop used for Gandalf’s flight to Rohan with Gwaihir, after his rescue from Orthanc.
Experience a half day eco adventure to Mou Waho Island, located a 30min cruise from Lake Wanaka, this tour combines nature, wildlife and panoramic views.
This afternoon explore the area by foot, walk around the edge of Lake Wanaka and photograph Wanaka’s most famous willow tree.
From Wanaka, we recommend you take the shorter route to Queenstown, 70 km by way of the Crown Range. The highest main road in New Zealand, with great views and gold mining history – it’s a unique trip not to be missed. The road zigzags up to the Crown Terrace and from there you can look down to Arrowtown in the Arrow Valley, and across at the end of the Remarkables and the road to the Remarkables skifield. More conservative drivers can take the State highway 6 route that runs beside the Clutha River, Lake Dunstan and the Shotover River and takes you through Cromwell and the scenic Kawarau Gorge and onto Queenstown.
Enjoy a four-night stay in Queenstown in order to experience the ‘home of adventure’.
For true Lord of the Rings fans, this scenic sightseeing tour includes recognisable filming locations and stunning natural scenery. The Glenorchy Safari of the Scenes takes you from Queenstown to Glenorchy stopping at breath-taking viewpoints. The route from Glenorchy follows the Dart River to the spectacular filming location for Isengard. This location offers stunning views of Mt Earnslaw. Heading to Paradise discover the location for the Forrest of Lothlorien. Leaving Glenorchy and heading towards Queenstown you will stop at 12 Mile Delta to explore the location of the Ithilien Camp. This tour also includes locations from Xmen Origins: Wolverine, and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
Enjoy today at leisure. You may wish to purchase an option day tour & cruise to New Zealand’s ultimate natural attraction – Milford Sound.
Enjoy today at leisure. You may wish to purchase a ticket on the iconic Skyline Gondola to see spectacular panoramic views of the town and surrounding mountains. Alternatively, you may wish to purchase a ticket to the Shotover River for an exhilarating Jet Boat ride.
After check-out, make your way to Queenstown International Airport where you will drop off your vehicle and proceed to check-in for your departure flight.
