Top New Zealand Literary Tours

Visit ‘The Lord of the Rings’ filming locations in Glenorchy, traveling by 4WD with an informative guide. Departing Queenstown for Middle-earth in the morning or afternoon, this half-day tour includes stunning countryside landscapes chosen by director Peter Jackson. See where famous scenes were filmed, such as the Fortress of Isengard, Lothlorien, Ithilien Camp and Forest of Amon Hen. Enjoy light refreshments and personalized attention on this small-group tour, limited to six passengers per vehicle.

Travelers with a short time in Wellington can enjoy a Lord of the Rings-themed tour in just half a day. Visit Hobbiton Woods, where many scenes were filmed, and take a tour of Weta Workshop, where many of the films’ special effects were thought up and brought to life. You’ll even see the theater that hosted the films’ world premiers. This is a must-do tour for Tolkien fans.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at nine ‘The Lord of the Rings’ locations around Wellington and learn about the filming of movies based on the popular books. On a tour of the New Zealand countryside, see re-created scenes of Middle-earth including the Hutt Valley and the Greenbelt, take a forest walk through Tolkien’s Rivendell, and step into Weta Studios for a movie production tour of digital special effects. Your guide shares insider gossip on how the movies were made and takes you to a themed lunch.

Spend the morning or afternoon visiting Middle-earth on this half-day 'The Lord of the Rings' tour from Wellington. A guide with insider knowledge entertains Frodo fans on a journey into the scenic New Zealand countryside. Get a behind-the-scenes look at LOTR movie production on a tour of Weta Studios and discover why director Peter Jackson selected this region to film the renowned trilogy along with ‘The Hobbit’ movies.

The Fox Glacier is widely considered among New Zealand’s most impressive natural attractions—but it’s impossible to appreciate its beauty from ground level. On this tour, take to the skies by helicopter for panoramic views over the glacier, and trek deep into the icy wilderness with your guide—where the forces of nature work their magic. With safety kit and crampons included, see the best of the Fox Glacier up-close.

Enjoy an off-road adventure in the wild of New Zealand on this half-day Wakatipu Basin 4-wheel drive tour from Queenstown. Cruise along off-road routes toward the Remarkables mountain range — widely used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Admire panoramic views over Deer Park Heights and the Kawarau Gorge, and then head onward to the historic gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. Traverse bumpy river crossings along the Arrow River, and pan for gold on the riverbank. Then gaze over the Wakatipu Basin from Coronet Peak en route back to Queenstown.

Make the most of a short time in Dunedin on this action-packed one-hour V8 trike tour of the city and Otago Peninsula. Starting in the central city, pass some of the most beautiful historic buildings and learn about Dunedin’s culture and heritage. Continue your drive out to the peninsula, where you can enjoy views of hills and beaches, and maybe even spot some birds and wildlife.

Discover famous sites from Middle Earth on this Hobbiton™ Movie Set shore excursion from Mt. Maunganui. Travel with your guide to Matamata, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Hobbiton™, which featured in screen adaptations of Tolkien's epic novels. Also explore some natural highlights of the area, including McLaren Falls Park, Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, and a kiwifruit orchard.

Ringer or not, you’re sure to enjoy this 'Lord of the Rings' air tour led by the aerial film pilot for the movie series. Fly above beautiful Queenstown, and see the spots filmed for the fictional places of Isengard, Amon Hen, Lothlorien, the Misty Mountains, and the Redhorn Pass. See the mountain range from the opening scene of 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,' and feel like you’re in Middle-earth.

Discover the rural beauty of Hawkes Bay and Napier’s Art Deco architecture on a half-day shore excursion from Napier. You’ll see a scenic landscape of orchards, vineyards, and pasture, and enjoy dramatic views of Te Mata Peak. Next, step back in time in Napier’s historic neighborhoods, where you’ll see perfectly-preserved Art Deco architecture that dates back to the 1930s and 1940s. With all transport by climate-controlled coach or minivan, this Napier shore excursion is the perfect introduction to the Hawke’s Bay region.