Middle Earth Grand Quest Itinerary

Auckland

On arrival in Auckland, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation to settle in, refresh, and unwind. Enjoy free time to explore the beautiful “City of Sails” at your own pace, soaking up its vibrant harbour atmosphere and cosmopolitan charm.

Inclusions at a glance:

Private airport transfer
Sky Tower viewing platform entry
2 nights in Auckland

Suggested Accommodation:

Accommodation:

M Social Auckland

A contemporary hotel for the curious, the explorers and those who thrive on new experiences. Functionally chic, this contemporary hotel features 190 rooms and suites designed for all travellers, overlooking the vibrant Princes Wharf that is home to a stunning array of dining, entertainment and shopping experiences.

Waiheke

Today you’ll take a return ferry to Waiheke Island, a haven of vineyards, beaches, and relaxed island charm, for a guided wine tour visiting three premier vineyards to sample local wines and learn about the island’s history and culture.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast, lunch
Return Waiheke Island ferry
Guided boutique winery tastings

Auckland to Matamata

Step behind the scenes of the Lord of the Rings magic with the Wētā Workshop, discovering how fantastical worlds and creatures are created. Afterward, collect your rental vehicle and travel through rolling countryside to Matamata, the home of Hobbiton!

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast
Wētā Workshop Unleashed experience
Rental vehicle collection
2 nights in Matamata

Approximate Distance: 315 kms | 196 miles Total Driving Time: 4 hours

Ready to make the journey yours? Enquire online or speak with a Travel Designer to personalise your perfect New Zealand escape.

Suggested Accommodation

Accommodation:

Villa Walton

Villa Walton is a beautifully restored 1904 homestead in picturesque Matamata, overlooking dairy farms and the Kaimai Ranges. Centrally located near Hobbiton, Rotorua, and Waitomo, it offers elegant ensuite rooms with seating areas and historic charm. Original fireplaces, polished floors, leadlight windows, and high ceilings blend seamlessly with modern comforts. Expansive verandahs and gardens provide peaceful spaces to relax and enjoy the surrounding countryside views.

Matamata

Visit the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set, set among the rolling green hills of the Waikato. Enjoy a fully guided tour through the Shire, including Bag End and Hobbit Holes, before a second breakfast at the inn.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast, second breakfast
Hobbiton Movie Set guided tour
Green Dragon Inn

Make it yours
Add an evening banquet to further enhance your Hobbiton experience, enjoying a relaxed dinner in the Shire setting with themed hospitality and traditional Hobbit fare.

Approximate Distance: 25 kms | 16 miles Total Driving Time: 30 mins (each way)

Matamata to Rotorua via Piopio

Travel to Piopio for a guided experience through dramatic limestone landscapes used in Middle Earth filming. Continue onward to Rotorua, a geothermal and cultural hub known for bubbling mud pools and rich Māori heritage.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast
Piopio stopover
Trollshaw Forest guided tour
2 nights in Rotorua

Approximate Distance: 315 kms | 196 miles Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

Accommodation:

Regent of Rotorua

Regent of Rotorua is a chic boutique retreat in the heart of the city, just steps from Lake Rotorua and vibrant Eat Street. Blending glamour and comfort, it offers a stylish base for exploring the region’s geothermal wonders and cultural attractions. Guests can unwind in the heated outdoor or indoor thermal pools, enjoy contemporary dining at the Regent Room, and relax with warm, attentive service in a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere.

Tongariro National Park

Experience New Zealand’s most iconic day hike on a fully guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing adventure where you will traverse dramatic volcanic landscapes, emerald lakes and steaming crater zones, with an expert guide throughout the journey.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast, lunch
Full-day guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing
UNESCO Dual World Heritage views

Rotorua to Tongariro National Park via Taupō

Explore the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, cruise past Huka Falls, and end in Waimarino (Tongariro National Park) amid volcanic landscapes featured in The Lord of the Rings.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast
Wai-O-Tapu geothermal entry
Huka Falls River cruise
2 nights in Waimarino

Approximate Distance: 330 kms | 165 miles Total Driving Time: 3 hours 45 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

Accommodation:

Tongariro Crossing Lodge - National Park

The lodge is a small boutique colonial inspired accommodation whose buildings date back to the early 1900s. The lodge is made up of just six well-appointed, large, warm rooms with their own bathrooms. The lodges focus is to offer guests an unforgettable stay which corresponds to and magnifies the amazing surrounds of the Central Plateau area. Whether you are coming to hike, bike, canoe, ski or just wanting to escape the rat-race and chill in and around the mountains.

Tongariro National Park

Experience New Zealand’s most iconic one-day hike, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Journey across volcanic terrain, emerald lakes, and ancient lava flows with a fully guided experience.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast, lunch
Guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing
UNESCO Dual World Heritage site

Tongariro National Park to Wellington

Travel south through volcanic landscapes and filming locations used in Middle Earth. Arrive in Wellington, the creative capital and home to New Zealand’s film industry.

Inclusions at a glance:

Gollum’s Pool stopover
Osgiliath Wood stopover
2 nights in Wellington

Suggested Accommodation:

Accommodation:

Ohtel Boutique Hotel - Wellington

Ohtel Wellington is a stylish boutique hotel on Oriental Parade in Wellington’s scenic Oriental Bay, overlooking the waterfront and marina. It offers individually designed rooms with mid‑century inspired décor and a relaxed, contemporary vibe, perfect for both leisure and city stays. The hotel is within walking distance of major attractions like Te Papa Museum, lively restaurants, bars, and entertainment, making it an ideal base for exploring Wellington’s culture and harbour views.

Wellington

Explore the cinematic world of Middle Earth with a full-day Lord of the Rings tour. Visit iconic filming locations, Wētā Workshop, and Mount Victoria while learning behind-the-scenes stories.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea
Full-day Lord of the Rings tour
Mount Victoria stopover
Wētā Workshop experience

Wellington to Blenheim

Return your rental vehicle and fly across Cook Strait to Blenheim in the Marlborough wine region. Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and enjoy time exploring vineyards and countryside scenery.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast
Domestic flight to Blenheim
Rental vehicle collection
2 nights in Blenheim

Suggested Accommodation:

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Marlborough - Blenheim

The Scenic Hotel Marlborough has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and is only a few minutes walk from the centre of Blenheim. It offers guests the ultimate in modern comfort and service and puts some of New Zealand's finest food and wine virtually on the doorstep.

Havelock

Today you will make a return daytrip to Havelock for a guided kayak journey along the Pelorus River, exploring filming locations from Middle Earth in a peaceful natural setting.

Inclusions at a glance:

Guided kayak tour
Pelorus River

Approximate Distance: 45 kms | 28 miles Total Driving Time: 45 mins (each way)

Blenheim to Christchurch via Kaikōura

Travel along the scenic coastal route, passing vineyards and rugged shoreline, stop in Kaikōura to view fur seals, then continue to Christchurch, a vibrant city known for its mix of heritage architecture.

Inclusions at a glance:

Scenic coastal drive
Kaikōura stopover
2 nights in Christchurch

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

Suggested Accommodation:

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Christchurch

You will find The Distinction Hotel in the revitalised heart of Christchurch and Cathedral Square. Centrally located and a short stroll to the Botanical Gardens, New Regent Street, the Arts Centre, and Avon River. This hotel offers 179 elegant, air-conditioned hotel rooms including 3 floors of Superior Rooms and Suites.

Christchurch

Travel into the Canterbury high country for a 4WD journey to Mount Sunday (Edoras), the capital of Rohan, with dramatic landscapes and guided storytelling.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast, gourmet picnic lunch
Full-day 4WD guided high country tour
Edoras behind-the-scenes

Christchurch to Aoraki / Mount Cook

DAY 15 – Christchurch to Aoraki/Mount Cook

Travel into Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest peaks and UNESCO World Heritage landscapes. By night, enjoy a guided stargazing experience under some of the clearest skies in the world.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast, dinner
Church of the Good Shepherd & Lake Tekapo
Dark Sky Reserve Stargazing Experience
2 nights in Aoraki/Mount Cook

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

Suggested Accommodation:

Accommodation:

The Hermitage - Aoraki/Mount Cook

A stunning destination surrounded by the silent splendor of the Southern Alps and with spectacular views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the surrounding National Park World Heritage area. Guests can dine at several on-site restaurants. The hotel is also home to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, that features a museum, planetarium, and cinema.

Aoraki / Mount Cook

Explore the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake on a boat cruise across Tasman Glacier, drifting among floating icebergs while surrounded by the dramatic peaks and alpine landscapes of Aoraki.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast, dinner
Hooker Valley walking track
Tasman Glacier boat tour
Glacial lake & iceberg scenery

Aoraki / Mount Cook to Queenstown

Travel through the Southern Alps via the scenic Crown Range and arrive in Queenstown, a hub of adventure, unparalleled beauty and serene ambiance.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast
Scenic Lindis Pass
Lake Pukaki (Esgaroth) and Pelannor Fields stopovers
4 nights in Queenstown

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

Suggested Accommodation:

Accommodation:

Highview Apartments - Queenstown

Highview Queenstown Apartments is a stylish, self‑contained accommodation in Queenstown, New Zealand. It offers modern one‑ and two‑bedroom lake view apartments, many with balconies overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Guests enjoy a quiet location a short walk from town, with kitchens, free parking, and easy access to local activities.

Glenorchy

Today you will join a guided day trip to explore Middle Earth filming locations around Queenstown and Glenorchy, including dramatic mountain and river landscapes used in the films.

Inclusions at a glance:

Morning or afternoon tea
Full-day guided tour through iconic LOTR locations
Replica sword and costumes for photo opportunities
Mt Aspiring and Lake Wakatipu stopovers

Queenstown

Spend a relaxed day exploring Queenstown at your own pace. Enjoy lakeside walks, shopping, dining, or optional adventure activities.

Inclusions at a glance:

Breakfast
Explore at your leisure

Make it yours
Discover why Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand and push your limits with experiences like bungy jumping and the iconic Nevis Swing.

Queenstown

Experience an exhilarating half-day jet boat adventure along the glacier-fed Dart River, revealing breathtaking landscapes and unique geological formations as you explore its vast wilderness stretches.

Inclusions at a glance:

Jet boat experience
Guided commentary
UNESCO World Heritage views

Make it yours
Looking for the perfect way to wind down after an eventful trip? Unwind in a soothing onsen-style bath while sipping a glass of wine, easing tired muscles and reflecting on your journey in complete relaxation.

Queenstown

Your journey concludes today. Return your rental vehicle and take with you unforgettable memories of Middle Earth landscapes and adventure, along with time to reflect on the extraordinary places, experiences, and moments that defined your journey.

Inclusions at a glance:

Rental vehicle return

Inspired by what you’ve seen? Let’s create a journey to Aotearoa, New Zealand that’s uniquely yours.

Speak with a Travel Designer to start planning your personalised escape.

Beautiful sunset over the mountains and fields.

What Elizabeth says about this tour: What better way to combine your love of the LoTR Hobbit films with travel through the most gorgeous scenery New Zealand has to offer. I'd love to talk you through the highlights of this fantastic 21 day self drive tour.

Enquire Now