My Precious Middle Earth Adventure Itinerary

Welcome to New Zealand’s adventure capital, surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery, renowned for its vibrant dining scene, and stunning landscapes creating a spectacular introduction to your Middle Earth journey.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Private airport transfer
• Explore at your leisure
• 4 nights in Queenstown

Make it yours
Start your Queenstown exploration with a scenic gondola experience and premium lunch or dinner, overlooking the panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu

Suggested Accommodation: 

Journey through the spectacular landscapes of Queenstown and Glenorchy on a full-day Lord of the Rings 4WD adventure, exploring iconic filming locations with expert guides sharing behind-the-scenes stories from Middle Earth.

Inclusions at a glance:

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

Enjoy a relaxed day exploring Queenstown before boarding the historic TSS Earnslaw for a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu. Arrive at Walter Peak Station for a gourmet BBQ dinner before returning under the alpine sunset.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Gourmet BBQ dinner
• Explore at your leisure
• TSS Earnslaw vintage steamboat cruise 
• Walter Peak farm visit

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

Experience the remote wilderness of Mount Aspiring National Park on a thrilling jet boat adventure along the glacier-fed Dart River. Explore vast braided river valleys and learn Māori legends from expert guides.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Jet boat experience
• Guided commentary
• UNESCO World Heritage views

Collect your rental vehicle and drive south through alpine scenery, stopping at the tranquil Mavora Lakes before arriving in Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Rental vehicle collection
• Mavora Lake stopover
• 2 nights in Te Anau
   

Approximate Distance: 175 kms | 109 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins

Suggested Accommodation: 

Make a day trip via guided coach tour, through the world-famous Milford Road to Milford Sound, passing rainforest, glaciers, waterfalls, and alpine peaks before enjoying a scenic cruise through the Fiord.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, lunch
• Scenic Milford Sound cruise
• Fiordland National Park scenery
• Optional walks and photo opportunities

Journey to Wānaka, a lakeside resort town surrounded by alpine scenery and Mount Aspiring National Park, offering outdoor adventures, boutique dining, and relaxed lakeside charm in all seasons.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Lake Wānaka
• Explore at your leisure
• 2 nights in Wānaka
   

Approximate Distance: 230 kms | 142 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 

Suggested Accommodation: 

Cruise across Lake Wānaka to Mou Waho Island, and take a guided tour of a predator-free sanctuary where you’ll discover rare wildlife and a hidden lake atop a mountain island.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, morning or afternoon tea
• Lake Wānaka Cruise
• Mou Waho Island Nature Walk
• Native tree planting and wildlife encounters

Travel through UNESCO World Heritage landscapes alongside the striking waters of Lake Pukaki to Aoraki, where you can enjoy breathtaking alpine scenery by day and spectacular stargazing under some of the clearest dark skies at night.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Scenic Lindis Pass
• Pelannor Fields and Lake Pukaki stopovers

• Dark Sky Reserve Stargazing Experience

Approximate Distance: 200 kms | 124 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins
 

Suggested Accommodation: 
 

Spend the day exploring alpine trails, glaciers, and scenic viewpoints in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, with opportunities for both adventure and relaxation.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Explore at your leisure

Make it yours
Add a glacier exploration cruise to view floating icebergs and glacial waters up close, set against the panoramic backdrop of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.

Journey through Mackenzie Country and Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, a city known for its gardens, riverside charm, and creative energy.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Church of the Good Shepherd & Lake Tekapo
• Explore at your leisure
• 2 nights in Christchurch

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

Suggested Accommodation: 
 

Travel into the Canterbury high country for a full-day 4WD adventure to Mount Sunday, the filming location of Edoras in The Lord of the Rings.

Inclusions at a glance:

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

Journey through the Canterbury Plains and coastal regions before arriving in sunny Nelson, a vibrant city known for its beaches, arts scene, and access to nearby national parks. After a long day on the road, enjoy a relaxed afternoon and evening at leisure.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• 3 nights in Nelson

Approximate Distance: 410 kms | 255 miles  Total Driving Time: 5 hours 30 mins

Suggested Accommodation:
 

Make a return day trip to Havelock and the Pelorus River, exploring filming locations from The Desolation of Smaug, while kayaking through the tranquil landscapes of Middle Earth.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Guided kayak tour
• Pelorus River
   

Approximate Distance: 65 kms | 40 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 15 mins (each way)
 

Take to the skies over Kahurangi National Park and Golden Bay, landing at iconic Lord of the Rings filming locations including Rivendell and the Mines of Moria.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Scenic helicopter flight
• Mt Olympus (Rivendell) and Mt Owen (Mines of Moria) views
• Tasman Bay views

Return your rental vehicle and fly across the Cook Strait to Wellington, the “Middle of Middle Earth,” home to Wētā Workshop and nearby Lord of the Rings filming locations. 

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Domestic flight to Wellington
• Rental vehicle collection
• 3 nights in Wellington

Suggested Accommodation:
 

Explore the dramatic Putangirua Pinnacles, a surreal landscape featured in The Return of the King, formed by centuries of erosion.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve trails
• Hoodoo rock formations

Approximate Distance: 118 kms | 73 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 45 mins (each way)

Discover Wellington’s most iconic Middle Earth filming locations on a private guided tour, including the Gardens of Isengard and the famous Legolas Tree, before going behind the scenes at Wētā Workshop.

Inclusions at a glance:

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

Drive north through volcanic landscapes to Waimarino (Tongariro National Park), a dual World Heritage site featuring dramatic mountains, lava flows, and Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom). 

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Osgiliath Wood stopover
• Gollum’s Pool stopover
• 2 nights in Tongariro National Park

Approximate Distance: 305 km | 190 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours

Suggested Accommodation: 

Experience New Zealand’s most iconic one-day hike through volcanic terrain, emerald lakes, and dramatic alpine landscapes.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing
• UNESCO Dual World Heritage site

Travel north through volcanic landscapes to Taupō for a river cruise at Huka Falls before continuing to Rotorua for a cultural evening experience.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, traditional hāngī dinner
• Huka Falls River cruise
• Māori cultural experience
   

Approximate Distance: 210 kms | 130 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Suggested Accommodation: 

Enjoy a high-adrenaline day in Rotorua with gondola rides, luge tracks, and ziplining through native forest canopies.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Skyline Gondola & 3 luge rides 
• Canopy zipline adventure
  
   

Journey to Matamata and explore the Hobbiton Movie Set on a guided tour, before enjoying an evening banquet feast in the Green Dragon Inn under the stars.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Hobbiton Movie Set guided tour
• Evening banquet dinner experience
• 2 nights in Matamata

Approximate Distance: 85 kms | 53 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 15 mins

Suggested Accommodation: 

Make a return day trip to Piopio and Denize Bluffs, exploring cinematic landscapes used in The Lord of the Rings as the Trollshaw Forest.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Trollshaw Forest guided tour
• Denize Bluffs rock formations

Approximate Distance: 145 kms | 90 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins (each way)

Travel to Auckland where you will return your rental vehicle upon arrival. Later, take in panoramic views from 186 metres above street level at the Sky Tower before exploring Wētā Workshop Unleashed for a cinematic behind-the-scenes Middle Earth experience.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Wētā Workshop Unleashed Tour & Sky Tower admission
• Rental vehicle return
• 3 nights in Auckland

Approximate Distance: 155 km | 296 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours

Suggested Accommodation:

Take a return ferry to Waiheke Island for a guided wine tour visiting three vineyards, including tastings and a beachfront lunch in Onetangi.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, lunch
• Return Waiheke Island ferry
• Guided boutique winery tastings 

Enjoy a relaxed day exploring Auckland’s waterfront, islands, parks, and cultural attractions at your own pace.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Explore at your leisure

Make it yours

Experience Auckland from the water on a full-day sailing charter or wildlife cruise, discovering the harbour, islands, and coastal scenery while learning why it is known as the City of Sails.

Conclude your journey with a final transfer to Auckland Airport, taking with you unforgettable memories of New Zealand’s landscapes and iconic Lord of the Rings filming locations that brought Middle Earth to life.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Private airport transfer

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.