Tour of Middle Earth by Road & Rail Itinerary

Your Middle Earth adventure begins in Auckland, where sparkling harbours, island-dotted waters, and ancient volcanic landscapes combine with a vibrant cultural and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Private airport transfer
• Wētā Workshop Unleashed Tour
• 1 night in Auckland

Suggested Accommodation: 

Travel through the heart of the North Island on a fully guided journey from Auckland to Rotorua, discovering the glowworm-lit caves of Waitomo, the movie magic of Hobbiton, and a diverse mix of natural wonders and iconic landscapes along the way.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast 
• Hobbiton Movie Set guided tour
• Guided tour of the Waitomo glow worm caves
• 2 nights in Rotorua

Suggested Accommodation: 

Discover Rotorua’s geothermal wonders and rich Māori heritage at Te Puia, where steaming geysers, bubbling mud pools, and immersive cultural experiences culminate in an evening of traditional performance and a hāngī-style feast.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast and traditional hāngī dinner
• Explore at your leisure
• Guided geothermal valley tour 
• Māori cultural experience
   

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

Fly to Wellington, New Zealand’s creative capital, and explore iconic Middle Earth filming locations before going behind the scenes at Wētā Workshop, where movie magic was brought to life.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Private airport transfers and domestic flight to Wellington
• Full-day LOTR tour including Wētā Workshop experience
• 1 night in Wellington

Suggested Accommodation: 

Fly to Blenheim, gateway to the Marlborough wine region. Relax among sun-drenched vineyards, boutique cafés, and rolling countryside known for world-class Sauvignon Blanc.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Private airport transfers and domestic flight to Blenheim
• 2 nights in Blenheim

Suggested Accommodation: 

Enjoy a relaxed day among Marlborough’s vineyards and countryside. Sample award-winning wines, explore cellar doors, or visit local attractions such as the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Explore at your leisure 

Make it yours
Explore Marlborough with a hop-on hop-off wine tour, visiting renowned wineries and breweries throughout the region at your own pace.

Travel by rail along one of New Zealand’s most scenic coastal routes, passing vineyards, rugged coastline, and dramatic mountain ranges en route to Kaikōura.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Private transfers
• Coastal Pacific rail journey
• Vineyards & coastal scenery
• 1 night in Kaikōura

Note: The Coastal Pacific Train does not run from April - August. If you plan to travel over this period we will arrange alternative transportation.

Suggested Accommodation: 

Enjoy a unique perspective of Kaikōura’s marine life on a scenic flight, then continue to Christchurch aboard the Coastal Pacific, where dramatic coastal and mountain landscapes unfold outside your window.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Private transfers
• Coastal Pacific rail journey
• Scenic whale watching flight
• 2 nights in Christchurch
   

Suggested Accommodation: 

Travel into the remote Canterbury high country for a full-day 4WD adventure to Mount Sunday, the filming location of Edoras, capital of Rohan.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Gourmet picnic lunch
• Full-day 4WD guided high country tour
• Edoras behind-the-scenes

Join your group coach tour and journey through the Canterbury Plains to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, where turquoise lakes, towering alpine peaks, and spectacular glacial landscapes await.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Dinner
• Church of the Good Shepherd
• Lake Tekapo
• 1 night in Aoraki / Mount Cook

Suggested Accommodation:

Today your group coach tour travels across the Southern Alps past glacial lakes and mountain scenery, arriving in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure-filled alpine hub.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Scenic alpine drive
• Lake Pukaki views
• 3 nights in Queenstown

Suggested Accommodation: 

Experience Queenstown’s wilderness on a high-speed jet boat safari through Mount Aspiring National Park, weaving through landscapes featured in Lord of the Rings.

Inclusions at a glance:

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

Make a return day trip to Glenorchy, visiting iconic Middle Earth filming locations surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery and braided rivers.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, 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

A memorable farewell to New Zealand as you depart the South Island, leaving behind the cinematic landscapes of Middle Earth’s towering peaks, sweeping valleys, and glacial lakes that brought iconic Lord of the Rings scenes 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.