LoTR (Hobbit) Filming Location Driving Itinerary

Welcome to Auckland, situated amongst a cluster of extinct volcanic cones, next to a large harbour that bustles with life, both on water and on land. The Auckland isthmus straddles a slim piece of land with coastline facing both the Pacific Ocean, and, on the wild West Coast, the Tasman Sea.

After checking into your hotel,relax, take a stroll around our beautiful city, explore the highly acclaimed Waterfront Restaurant Quarter or choose one of the many activities available to give a more in depth understanding of Auckland and the surrounding area.

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Accommodation Auckland - 1 night

Find your inner Hobbit (or Orc)  and explore the subterranean world of the Waitomo Caves – a celebration of nature's work over the last one hundred thousand years. There are hundreds of miles of labyrinthine caves, glow-worms, under ground lakes, stalactites and stalagmites, and all manner of limestone crustaceans - a lost world waiting to be discovered. There are a range of options here – witness the Glowworm Galaxies Cave Tour up close or test your limits and abseil down into the wet dark underworld for a tour of the mysterious Lost World cavern (7 Hours). Above ground, the area around Waitomo is also popular for horse riding and bush walking.

Approximate Distance: 190 kms | 118 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation Waitomo - 1 night 

An exciting day awaits this morning. Journey to the emerald pastures and rolling hills of The Shire, where Hobbiton was brought to life on a private farm in Matamata. This idyllic village blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Set to the scale of a 3ft Hobbit you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a magical world of smoking chimneys, bluebells, and the Green Dragon Inn. Visit Bag End as well as the other 43 Hobbit Holes on this fully Guided 2.5 hr Hobbiton Tour.  Learn about the production of the movies – how did they make Gandalf appear so tall? Why was this exact site chosen to build Hobbiton? The passion and knowledge gleaned from your guide brings this authentic Middle-earth experience to life. 

Afterwards, continue on to Rotorua. The history of New Zealand Maori is at its most visible in this area rich in geothermal activity and blessed with abundant rivers, lakes and forests. An evening Maori Concert with Hangi Meal (cooked in underground oven) will give you insight into the First People of New Zealand.

Approximate Distance: 140 kms | 87 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 

Accommodation Rotorua - 1 night

Today head for Mount Doom - stopping first at Wai-o-tapu (Sacred Waters) where New Zealand's most colourful volcanic area will have you reaching for your camera. Take in the volcanic sites at your own pace as you view massive boiling mud pools and vast steaming hotpools.

Journeying on to the pretty crater lake town of Taupo situated before the desolate Central Plateau of Tongariro National Park. Here, volcanoes soar from plains of golden tussock and rocky gorges – this is Mount Doom and Hidden Bay (entrance to Lonely Mountain) country. Drive past the foot of Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand’s tallest volcano, before arriving at your accommodation in the hamlet of National Park village. 

Approximate Distance: 180 kms | 112 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

​Accommodation National Park - 2 nights  

Today, rise early to begin the spectacular Tongariro Crossing, an 8-hour journey over volcanic craters and past jewel-coloured lakes. These landscapes formed the ultimate destination for Frodo’s quest for the ring – the conical volcano of Mount Ngauruhoe played Mount Doom, the volcano in Mordor where the One Ring was created within Sammath Naur. The views of the desolate, grand landscapes that surround the track are spectacular; providing the Lord of the Rings production crew with the perfect base from which to create Emyn Muil and the Plains or Gorgonath. This is a phenomenal day where you’ll get to experience otherworldly landscapes that look exactly like Middle-earth – don’t forget your camera!

This is a fully guided small group trip, no previous experience is necessary but you do need to have a good level of fitness to fully enjoy this day. Operates from 1 October to 30 April.

Just nearby, the bush of Ohakune is home to the filming location for Ithilien Camp – stop by to experience it for yourself before continuing your journey south to New Zealand’s capital, a short three-four hour drive away.

Wellington, known as the ‘Middle of Middle-earth’ and home to the New Zealand film industry, formed the production base for the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Several filming locations are dotted throughout the Wellington region, while WETA Workshop Headquarters is within the city itself. The location for the creation of the Outer reaches of The Shire scene and where the Hobbits hid to escape the Nazgul can be found on Mount Victoria. The pretty refuge of Rivendell and the encampment of Dunharrow are easily visited with a short drive from Wellington City.

Approximate Distance: 300 kms | 186 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 
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​Accommodation Wellington - 2 nights

Get excited about the prospect of exploring this movie making Mecca today, choosing between two fascinating Lord of the Rings tours. Both feature the amazing Weta Cave Tour.

1) Wellington Movie Tour: This short and popular tour is packed with a visit to  filming locations in the Hobbiton Woods as well as a visit to the Weta Cave to gain behind-the-scenes insights into movie making magic.

2) Ultimate Movie Tour: Embark on a day of Middle-earth magic when you combine both the Valley and Wellington tours. This exciting full day incorporates special natural places, lunch at ‘Rivendell’, visits to the scenes in Hobbiton Woods and, to top it all off, a visit to the Weta Cave.

Here are some alternative suggestions while in Wellington:

This morning you will return your rental vehicle to Wellington Airport and fly to Blenheim where you will collect your next rental vehicle on arrival. Blenheim is the winemaking engine room of the New Zealand wine industry. In the 1970's the plains would have been filled by sheep - now it  is vines as far as the eye can see, producing world class wines.

Setting off by road you will travel to Havelock at the head of the Pelorus Sound. The Pelorus river will give you access today to the scenes from the Desolation of Smaug - barrel escape. Stand on the same rocks as Bilbo and his dwarf friends. See the exact location where Kili was shot with an arrow. The gentle flow of the river is a relaxing way to connect with the untouched landscape of middle earth, onboard your inflatable two person kayak.

Approximate Distance: 45 kms | 28 miles  Total Driving Time: 45 mins (each way)
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Accommodation Blenheim - 1 night

Today you will loop back towards the East Coast traveling through Marlborough Wine Country, home to world famous Sauvignon Blanc (along with other white varietals and Pinot Noir). The vines will keep you company as you reach the headlands of the East Coast. Once down on the flats this road - (worthy of any big budget car commercial) hugs the coastline - make sure you stop to enjoy the marine life as the New Zealand Fur Seals bask and play along the rocky shoreline, before arriving in gorgeous Kaikoura. The Kaikoura peninsula enjoys a mild microclimate and is overlooked by majestic snowcapped mountains. This unique proximity of ocean and mountain range offers a host of eco-tourism oriented activities, including whale watching, dolphin and seal swimming, kayaking, fishing and hiking.

Suggested Wildlife Encounters in Kaikoura

Approximate Distance: 310 kms | 192 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins 

Accommodation Christchurch - 2 nights

After a short drive is Methven, a quaint, pretty village that is home to pristine landscapes, down to earth local kiwis and many passionate outdoor enthusiasts. This town played an integral part in the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy; becoming a base for cast and crew as they worked in the nearby countryside.

The Tour
The capital of the Rohan people, Edoras, was created in the isolated and beautiful high country station of Mount Potts. Journey into this remote wilderness and soak up its crystal-clear lakes, rivers and crisp mountain air. This full day tour incorporates a 4WD tour onto Mount Sunday/Edoras, a gourmet champagne picnic lunch, full movie commentary from our expert, friendly guides and magnificent, signature New Zealand scenery for an experience you’ll never forget.

Have you ever been alongside or touched an iceberg? 

Leaving the Garden City, head inland towards the rural Canterbury Plains, touring New Zealand’s spectacular Mackenzie region, you will encounter sweeping vistas of tussock lands and impressive mountains that make up the Southern Alps. This afternoon experience the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake and its icebergs, in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. By boat explore the Tasman Glacier Adventure to the Terminal Lake, where you will discover the ever-changing ice face of the Glacier and icebergs, everchanging due to variable winds and currents.  Knowledgeable guides, enhance your experience with their expertise and passion for this amazing alpine environment. 

Approximate Distance: 330 kms | 205 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Accommodation Mt Cook - 1 night

Today travel south via the Mackenzie Basin, the Lindis Pass and through the rugged scenery of Kawarau Gorge into Queenstown – the action packed capital of New Zealand. On arrival in Queenstown, settle in and explore the cafes and shopping district nestled around the head of Lake Wakitipu. Take a trip up the Gondola to view the spectacular alpine location, ice, lakes mountain tips abound!.

Recommended Excursions in Queenstown

Approximate Distance: 265 kms | 165 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation Queenstown - 2 nights

As you would expect, most of the spectacular scenes found in the Lord of the Rings trilogy are located off the beaten track and very tricky to get to without an all terrain vehicle and local knowledge. This 4WD Safari is packed with gold mining history, thrilling 4WD river crossings and a great overview of the diverse scenery of the Queenstown and Arrowtown area. Visit the filming locations of Minas Tirith, Misty Mountains, the Pillars of the Kings (Argonath), the site of Isildur’s Fall, the Ford of Bruinen and much more. The perfect tour for anyone that want the thrills of an off road adventure but also wants to discover Lord of The Rings filming locations. Even if you are not a fan, you can be assured you will be seeing the best of the best when it come's to iconic Central Otago scenery.

Your professional guides are at hand to answer any questions on the movie or the history of the places you visit...

This afternoon you will return to Queenstown. Later today head to the airport, flying out of Queenstown airport is spectacular – the grand Southern Alps seen from high above is an incredible view that you’ll never forget. We know you will enjoy the Self Drive LOTR (Hobbit) Filming Locations Tour and you will leave New Zealand with a memory card overflowing with locations to sleuth when rewatching the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit Trilogies. 

Ready to find out more? Talk to us here in New Zealand about the 'Self Drive LOTR (Hobbit) Filming Locations Tour' - We Guarantee it will be the Holiday of a Lifetime!