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Experience the key New Zealand LOTR locations and Hobbiton sites with this 16 day North and South Island travel itinerary. Visit Hobbiton Village and the Wetu Workshop in Wellingtin, learn more about the 'Hairy Feet' filming location near Waitomo as well as the grand South Island locations. Walk to the Ford of Bruinen on the Arrow River or to Wilcox Green, where the Gladden Fields scenes were filmed. From Chard Farm winery you get a spectacular view of the Anduin and Argonath (Pillar of Kings).
The next planning steps for the 16 days North and South Island Lord of the Rings holiday itinerary:
Day 1Auckland
A private driver will meet you at the arrival gate at Auckland Airport for transfer and hotel check in.
Check in to Grand Millennium Auckland
Optional - Sky Tower
Day 2Rotorua
Collect your car and drive south into the Waikato region (225 km, 140 miles, 3 hours). This area is famous for the Waitomo caves and the 'Hairy Feet Tour' where you'll get to see the actual locations shown in the first Hobbit Movie - a very authentic small group experience. If you're a Lord of the Rings fan, this is a must-do tour - the scenery is beautiful. In the afternoon continue travelling to Rotorua (140 km, 87 miles, 2 hours).
Check in to Ngongotaha Lakeside Lodge
Included - Hairy Feet Scenic Film Location Tour
Optional - Ruakuri Cave Tour
Day 3Rotorua
Rotorua is in the central North Island and is famous for bubbling mud pools and natural hot springs. Rotorua offers a spiritual journey into Maori culture with village and performance experiences. The Lord of the Rings Movie Set Tour is set on picturesque private farmland near Matamata, only an hours drive from Rotorua. The lush dairy farming landscape around the Waikato town of Matamata was used to portray the peaceful Shire region of Middle-earth. The village of Hobbiton was created here and remains a permanent attraction.
Check in to Ngongotaha Lakeside Lodge
Optional - Rotorua Canopy Tours
Optional - Mitai Maori Village
Recommended - Polynesian Spa
Included - Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tours
Day 4Ohakune
Travel south to the Tongariro National Park. On the way, visit some of New Zealand key thermal sites. Remember to stop at Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. It's a reasonably short drive, but there is so much to see and do in this area.
Check in to Manuka Lodge
Optional - Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave
Optional - Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Optional - Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Day 5Ohakune
Explore the Tongariro National Park today. In autumn 2000, the Tongariro National Park was home to the most sinister of the Lord of the Rings locations, Mordor, the stronghold of the dark Lord Sauron. Mordor, is actually the great volcanic plateau filled with geological wonders known as Gorgoroth. Much of Frodo and Sam's journey into the land of Sauron was filmed on and around the Tongariro National Park. The area has jagged volcanic rock formations and eerie barren landscapes, ideally suited to Mordor's hissing wasteland!
Check in to Manuka Lodge
Included - Tongariro National Park
Day 6Wellington
Travel further south via the Wanganui River region, Kapiti Coast and on to Wellington. Here you'll have two nights to explore the Wellington city and the surrounding areas. Wellington is home to the Weta Workshop, Weta Digital and the Miramar film empire which is central to The Hobbit Trilogy production. The movie business centre is off-limits to visitors, however Lord of the Rings fans can experience the Weta Cave.
Check in to Hotel Novotel Wellington
Included - Wellington
Day 7Wellington
Join the Wellington Lord of the Rings Tour - a must-do for fans. Start with a visit to the lookout on Mount Victoria. Then visit the locations used in the Trilogy like the Outer Shire, Hobbiton Woods & Dunharrow. Drive out to the Hutt Valley to Kaitoke Regional park, the location of Rivendell. Along the way, visit Isengard, Fords of Isen and see where Helms Deep & Minas Tirith were filmed. This full day tour includes an Orc-sized picnic or cafe lunch plus a visit to the famous Weta Cave.
Check in to Hotel Novotel Wellington
Included - Wellington Lord of the Rings Tour
Included - Weta Cave Workshop Tour
Day 8Abel Tasman National Park
This morning, take the Interislander ferry to Picton on the South Island, arriving in the early afternoon. Continue travelling to Nelson, which is about 1.5 hours drive away. A good alternative route is via the Queen Charlotte Scenic Drive.
Day 9Abel Tasman National Park
Nelson is home to Jens Hansen, the goldsmith that created the 40 different rings used in production. One of the original rings is on display and copies can be bought in 9 and 18ct gold. From Nelson drive west over Takaka Hill, the filming site for Chetwood Forest. Here the Ranger 'Strider' led the hobbits into the rough country east of Bree in an attempt to escape the Black Riders. You'll need to catch a helicopter to see where the fellowship hid from Saruman's black crows. Ask the pilot to show you Dimrill Dale - Mount Olympus and Mount Owen. From the air, you'll get an eagle's view of the region's three national parks - Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi.
Check in to Tasman Village Cottage
Information - Abel Tasman National Park
Optional - Abel Tasman Kayaks
Optional - Abel Tasman Golden Future Tour
Optional - Abel Tasman Charters Taranui
Recommended - Wheelie Fantastic Cycle Tours
Day 10Christchurch
Travel via the central island route to Christchurch, which takes about a 6 hours scenic drive. Alternatively you can take a domestic flight to save valuable time.
Day 11Christchurch
Join the Lord of the Rings Tour from Christchurch and journey to another LOTR filming location - the remote and beautiful Mt Potts High Country station, home of Mt Sunday. See how this peaceful mountain was transformed into Edoras, the capital city of the Rohan people portrayed in the trilogy. Immerse yourself in the natural, unspoilt beauty of this breathtaking area with its sparkling clear lakes, glistening blue rivers and fresh, crisp mountain air.
Check in to Eliza's Manor
Included - Lord of the Rings Twizel Tour
Day 12Queenstown
Take the inland scenic route via Lake Tekapo and Mt. Cook to Wanaka. This beautiful scenic drive will take about 6.5 hours. Near Twizel in the Mackenzie Country, Peter Jackson filmed the epic battle of the Pelennor Fields. Here, thousands of orcs bred by Sauron clashed with the men of Gondor and Rohan. The grassy fields that stretch to the foothills of the mountains look exactly as described in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The location is on private land, however you can arrange a tour in the town of Twizel. Again, a domestic flight can be included instead of the drive.
Check in to Kinross Cottages
Information - Lake Tekapo
Information - Mount Cook National Park
Day 13Queenstown
The "southern lakes" region has key locations for the LOTR filming. From the village of Glenorchy, at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, you can see the north-western slopes of Mount Earnslaw, which featured in the opening sequence of The Two Towers. From Glenorchy, you'll also discover Lothlorien - the beech forest on the road to Paradise. Another memorable location is found near Queenstown at Arrowtown. Here you can walk to the Ford of Bruinen on the Arrow River. You can also walk to Wilcox Green, where the Gladden Fields scenes were filmed. From Chard Farm winery you get a spectacular view of the Anduin and Argonath (Pillar of Kings). The Pillars were computer generated in the studio. Drive over the Crown Range Road to the Cardrona Valley. From here you can drive to the summit of Mount Cardona (1119m) to get a panoramic view of Middle-earth. To the left is the River Anduin and the Pillars of the Argonath. In the hills straight ahead is the Dimrill Dale. In the distance is Amon Hen on the shore of Nen Hithoel.
Check in to Kinross Cottages
Included - Dart River Safaris
Optional - Paradise Discovery Tour
Optional - Shotover Jet
Optional - Appellation Boutique Wine Tour
Optional - Queenstown Rafting Kawarau River
Optional - Ziptrek MOA 4-Line Tour
Day 14Te Anau
Drive via Queenstown to Te Anau next to the Fiordland National Park. The Waiau River between Te Anau and Manapouri represented the River Anduin as the Fellowship paddled south from Lothlórien. The surrounding high peaks were used to depict the rough country south of Rivendell. To discover Fanghorn Forest, ask for the directions to Takaro Road, which is near Te Anau. Both sides of the road were filmed as Fangorn Forest - remote cameras were strung from high wires to film Aragon moving through the trees.
Check in to Dusky Ridges
Information - Fiordland
Day 15Te Anau
A 'must see' in the area is one of the fjords in the Fiordland National Park. Join a guided day tour from Manapouri into the Doubtful Sound. This fjord is also called the 'Sound of Silence' with an original landscape unchanged for millions of years.
Check in to Dusky Ridges
Day 16Southland
Travel either the 'Southern Scenic Route' to Invercargill or back to Queenstown. Then fly out to Christchurch or Auckland and connect with your international flight. Also, you can extend your stay and add another location into your itinerary.
Important to know: every part of this itinerary can be amended to your personal requirements. We can add, delete or amend. Just contact us and it will be done!
16 Days - Standard
per person,
FROM
NZ$7880
( Not including intern. flights )
16 Days - Superior
per person,
FROM
NZ$15890
( Not including intern. flights )
16 Days - Premium
per person,
FROM
NZ$26680
( Not including intern. flights )
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