Can an ardent LOTR fan and other travelers enjoy the same tour?
Are you and your traveling companion are looking to plan your New Zealand trip? Only problem is that they are an avid fan of ‘Lord of the Rings’ (LOTR) and want to include as many movie locations and tours as possible, while although you enjoy it, you want to see so much more of what New Zealand offers.
Don’t worry, First Light Travel can create an itinerary that will mean both the avid fan and the mildly intrigued can both have a great time in ‘Middle Earth’, and suggestions where to perhaps enjoy a day apart. Here are my Top 10 movie locations and activities:
Map of my Top 10 movie locations and activities:
Hobbiton
One of the classic locations, it’s the only place where the original set is still in place. Even the non-fans can enjoy the two hour tour of the ‘oh so cute’ round door hobbit homes of The Shire. It’s located near Matamata and can easily be visited while traveling between Auckland and Rotorua. We also get great feedback from travelers who go to the Evening Banquet which includes the last daytime tour of the day before a sumptuous feast in The Green Dragon pub of traditional fayre before walking back through The Shire village under torch light.
Trollshaw near Waitomo.
In The Hobbit book Bilbo, Gandalf and the Dwarves defeated the trolls turning them to stone! Located on a working farm, see amazing rock formations and beautiful New Zealand native forest. The 90 minute tour is a relaxing time and can easily be combined with a visit to the nearby Waitomo Caves to see the glow worms that provide such an ethereal light.
Tongariro National Park - Mt Doom
The avid fan will no doubt know that the mountain Ngauruhoe was Mount Doom in the movies and you can view the mountain from many places around the Tongariro National Park including while on the challenging Tongariro Crossing, regarded as one of the world’s finest one day hikes. If you want a more relaxing day then you can also see the magnificent Mangawhero Falls where Gollum catches fish, while Tawhai Falls has become known as “Gollum’s Pool” where he was captured by Faramir and his rangers.
Wellywood & Weta Workshop
Wellington movie location tour or explore the city. Wellington may be your final destination on the North Island, it may be time to let your LOTR traveling companion to indulge their passion for LOTR. Wave good bye as they don their elven ears and super-size hairy hobbit feet and join a tour of the local movie locations and the Weta Workshop. Meanwhile you can have a relaxing day exploring Wellington. Known as the ‘coolest little capital in the world’, the harbor-side city has Te Papa national museum, galleries, restaurants and cafes (flat white coffee was invented here). As Aragorn may have said to Arwen, ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ and you’ll be ready to explore the South Island together.
Pelorus River Barrel Run
Marlborough’s Pelorus River Kayak. Where Bilbo and the dwarves rode the river in barrels to escape from the orcs in The Hobbit. The Pelorus is set amongst beautiful scenery, gently winding through forests and waterfalls, it’s suitable for all fitness levels including children.
Kahurangi National Park
Kahurangi National Park Helicopter tour. In the west of the Nelson region, a helicopter flight is the only way to reach two awesome LOTR movie locations and all travelers will have wonderful memories from the day. Mt Owen is where the depleted Fellowship emerged from the horrors of Moria’s mines, while Mt Olympus with its rocky outcrops twisted and cracked into unbelievable columnar shapes sprouting from the side of the mountain is where the Fellowship hid from Saruman’s flock of ravens.
Mount Sunday / Edoras
Perhaps the most iconic LOTR movie location, Mount Sunday in the Southern Alps was used as Edoras, capital of Rohan. Join a full day tour from Christchurch or nearby Methven, or just drive up the gravel road yourselves – it’s a beautiful place, the rock promontory surrounded by the vast, awe inspiring Southern Alps.
Queenstown Lord of the Rings Tours.
Queenstown is a beautiful resort town located on Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkable Mountains as a back drop with Lord of the Rings tours available. With so much on offer from wine tours to hiking and adrenaline sports such as white water rafting and sky diving, Queenstown offers the opportunity for the die-hard LOTR fan to join a half or full day tour while other travelers can choose from the myriad of other activities.
Dart River wilderness safari
From Queenstown this half day tour includes a four wheel drive around the local area of Paradise (the place sure lives up to its name)! This includes pointing out movie locations before going on a guided forest walk and the excitement of jet-boat ride along the Dart river surrounded by forests and incredible mountains.
Overview...
New Zealand is a bigger country than you may realize, so location is a factor in planning. There are other great LOTR experiences across the country that all can enjoy, so trust First Light Travel to tailor your ideal New Zealand vacation with as many or as few Lord of the Rings activities as you want!
Recent Posts
Blog Categories
Blog archives
- December 2024 (7)
- November 2024 (3)
- October 2024 (1)
- July 2024 (2)
- May 2024 (12)
- April 2024 (2)
- March 2024 (2)
- January 2024 (2)
- November 2023 (10)
- October 2023 (4)
- August 2023 (1)
- May 2023 (2)
- April 2023 (2)
- March 2023 (17)
- February 2023 (4)
- January 2023 (4)
- December 2022 (11)
- November 2022 (7)
- October 2022 (1)
- May 2022 (1)
- March 2022 (3)
- February 2022 (3)
- January 2022 (1)
- December 2021 (1)
- August 2021 (1)
- June 2021 (1)
- May 2021 (2)
- February 2021 (1)
- August 2020 (1)
- July 2020 (1)
- May 2020 (1)
- April 2020 (1)
- March 2020 (1)
- January 2020 (1)
- December 2019 (1)
- November 2019 (1)
- October 2019 (1)
- September 2019 (1)
- August 2019 (5)
- July 2019 (2)
- June 2019 (1)
- May 2019 (3)
- April 2019 (1)
- March 2019 (1)
- February 2019 (1)
- January 2019 (1)
- December 2018 (1)
- November 2018 (1)
- September 2018 (1)
- August 2018 (1)
- July 2018 (1)
- June 2018 (1)
- May 2018 (1)
- April 2018 (1)
- March 2018 (1)
- February 2018 (1)
- January 2018 (1)
- December 2017 (1)
- October 2017 (1)
- September 2017 (1)
- August 2017 (1)
- July 2017 (1)
- June 2017 (1)
- May 2017 (1)
- April 2017 (1)
- March 2017 (1)
- February 2017 (1)
- January 2017 (1)
- December 2016 (1)
- November 2016 (1)
- October 2016 (1)
- September 2016 (1)
- August 2016 (1)
- July 2016 (1)
- June 2016 (1)
- May 2016 (1)
- April 2016 (1)
- March 2016 (1)
- February 2016 (1)
- January 2016 (1)
- December 2015 (1)
- November 2015 (1)
- October 2015 (1)
- September 2015 (1)
- August 2015 (1)
- July 2015 (1)
- June 2015 (1)
- May 2015 (1)
- April 2015 (1)
- March 2015 (1)
- February 2015 (1)
- January 2015 (1)
- December 2014 (1)
- November 2014 (1)
- October 2014 (1)
- September 2014 (1)
- July 2014 (1)
- June 2014 (3)
- May 2014 (1)
- April 2014 (1)
- March 2014 (1)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 2014 (1)
- November 2013 (15)
- October 2013 (1)
- September 2013 (1)
- August 2013 (1)
- July 2013 (1)
- May 2013 (1)
- April 2013 (1)
- March 2013 (1)
- February 2013 (1)
- January 2013 (1)
- December 2012 (1)
- November 2012 (2)
- October 2012 (2)
- September 2012 (2)
- August 2012 (2)
- July 2012 (2)
- June 2012 (2)
- May 2012 (2)
- April 2012 (3)
- March 2012 (2)
- February 2012 (2)
- January 2012 (3)
- December 2011 (1)
- November 2011 (1)
- October 2011 (2)
- September 2011 (1)
- August 2011 (1)
- July 2011 (1)
- June 2011 (1)
- May 2011 (1)
- April 2011 (1)
- March 2011 (1)
- February 2011 (1)
- January 2011 (1)
- December 2010 (1)
- November 2010 (1)
- October 2010 (1)
- September 2010 (1)
- August 2010 (1)
- July 2010 (1)
- June 2010 (1)
- May 2010 (1)
- March 2010 (1)
- February 2010 (1)
- January 2010 (1)
- December 2009 (1)
- November 2009 (1)
- October 2009 (1)
- September 2009 (1)
- August 2009 (1)
- July 2009 (1)
- June 2009 (1)
- May 2009 (1)
- April 2009 (1)
- March 2009 (1)
- February 2009 (1)
- January 2009 (1)
- December 2008 (1)
- May 2005 (1)