Lord of the Rings Tours

See your favourite movies in a whole new way!

➜ We will make our way up to the Mount Victoria Lookout to see spectacular views of Wellington’s city and harbour. Have your cameras ready!

➜ On the way we drive up Courtenay Place, past the Embassy Picture Theatre which held two world premieres; The last LOTR instalment The Return of the King (2003), and the first Hobbit movie An Unexpected Journey (2012).

➜ From the Lookout we make our way down Mount Victoria to the Hobbiton Woods where the filming of his epic trilogy began. This is the home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam & Frodo’s Second Breakfast; the location where the Hobbits hid from the Black Rider (“Get off the Road!”); the Race to the Buckleberry Ferry scene; and King Théoden’s Dunharrow Encampment.

➜ Now we are off to the Weta Workshop in Miramar. Here you have an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour (entry included in your tour price) where you see how props plus weaponry are made and probably meet artists at work making props.(*)

➜ At the Weta Cave you will be given the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and have photos with Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai, Bilbo’s three Trolls, and characters from other movies that Weta has been involved in. We will arrange for you to act and pose (photo shoot) with the trolls and other props. This is fun and enjoyed by everyone.

➜ The tour concludes with a drive past the Embassy Picture Theatre the home of two Premieres – “Return of the King” and the first Hobbit movie “The Unexpected Journey”.

(*) Subject to Weta Workshop’s format. Weta Workshop may change details without notice, but will be approximately the same as described here.

More info

✅ Drive past the Embassay Theatre, which was restored by Peter Jackson, and hosted two LOTR series world premieres.
✅ Check out the fantastic views and get some photos from the Mount Victoria lookout.
✅ Visit some of the filming loactions on Mount Victoria.
✅ Head to Weta Workshop in Mirimar, watch a short documentary and do a behind the scenes tour (entry included in tour price).
✅ Stop in at the Weta Cave, buy some souvenirs and pose for photos with characters and props.
✅ Finish the tour with a drive around the bays.

Embark on an epic journey through Middle-earth in Wellington!

➜ This tour is more than just visiting the filming sites! On this informative tour, your guide will share fascinating little-known gems relating to the filming at each site, that will make you want to watch the films all over again!

➜ From your hotel or i-Site pickup we make our way to the Hutt Valley. The first stop is the Dry Creek Quarry where you see the filming site of Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith.

➜ A short drive will see us stop at the River Anduin (Hutt River) where the Fellowship travelled to Amon Hen.

➜ Then it is on to the site of Gardens of Isengard Harcourt Park) where Gandalf met Saruman the White to discuss the Ring, and it is also where Saruman’s Orc army destroy the gardens.

➜ Next stop is Rivendell (Kaitoke Regional Park) the home of the Elves. Enjoy a walk through Rivendell and see the nearby river used for the scene where Éomer recovers the dying Théodred, son of King Théoden. More adventurous travellers may also cross the swing bridge over the Hutt River.

➜ Now we are off to the Weta Workshop in Miramar. Here you have an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour (entry included in your tour price) where you will see how props plus weaponry are made and possibly meet artists at work making props.(*)

➜ At the Weta Cave you will be given the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and have photos with Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai, Bilbo’s three Trolls, and characters from other movies that Weta has been involved in. We will arrange for you to act and pose (photo shoot) with the trolls and other props. This is fun and enjoyed by everyone.

➜ Your guide will discuss with you any lunch preference, Café, takeaway, pub (all depending on time).

➜ After lunch you will head to Mount Victoria to the Hobbiton Woods where the filming of the epic trilogy began. This is the home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam and Frodo’s Second Breakfast; the location where the Hobbits hid from the Black Rider (“Get off the Road!”); the Race to the Buckleberry Ferry scene; and King Théoden’s Dunharrow Encampment. (This part of the tour has some limited wheelchair accessibility)

➜ A little further on is the Mount Victoria Lookout and here you will see spectacular views of Wellington’s city and harbour. Have your cameras ready!

➜ The tour concludes with a drive past the Embassy Picture Theatre the home of two Premieres “Return of the King” and the first Hobbit movie “The Unexpected Journey”.

(*) Subject to Weta Workshop’s format. Weta Workshop may change details without notice, but will be approximately the same as described here.

➜ Please be aware that the tour may alter in format as it is based around the availability of the Weta Workshop Tour

More info

✅ Visit four of the key LOTR filming locations in the Hutt Valley
✅ Go to Weta Workshop in Mirimar and do a behind-the-scenes tour of the Workshop (entry include in tour price).
✅ End the tour at the Weta Cave where you can purchase souvenirs and pose for photos with some of the Weta characters and props.
✅ Time permitting have lunch at your choice of a café, takeaway or pub (discuss this with your guide – lunch cost not included in tour price).
✅ Visit some of the locations on Mount Victoria where LTOR scenes where filmed.
✅ Enjoy the panoramic views of Wellington from Mount Victoria lookout.
✅ Finish the day with a drive past the Embassy Picture Theatre the home of two Premieres “Return of the King” and the first Hobbit movie “The Unexpected Journey”.