Rings Adventure

New Zealand Cinematic Landscapes & Locations:

• Hobbiton Movie Set (Near Matamata): In the heart of the North Island you can visit The Shire to explore the famous hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn and The Millhouse.
• Tongariro National Park – This volcanic landscape was a backdrop with rugged terrain and Mt. Ngauruhoe, a cone-shaped volcano that was digitally transformed to a volcanic lair. Tawhai Falls in the park was also featured as a location.
• Weta Cave (Wellington): Location of the creative hub that bought so many of the characters to life. A large portion of the set, costumes, props and computer-generated magic happened here. Learn about the processes that created much of the scenes and the quirky characters.
• Canterbury: In a remote location near Ashburton Lakes, there is a stunning location that makes it easy to conjure up the image of the hilltop kingdom that was created here.
• Queenstown & Southern Lakes: This area served as a backdrop and set the scene for numerous movie locations.  You can check many must-see locations off your list here! It is easy to see why with its stunning lake, back country and alpine landscapes such as: Skippers Canyon, Lake Alta, Glenorchy, Kawarau River, Paradise, Twelve Mile Delta, Remarkables Mountain Range, Deer Park Heights, Mavora Lakes and Fiordland.

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Auckland, New Zealand

Kia ora (hello!) and welcome to Aotearoa (New Zealand). On arrival in Auckland, take a shuttle to your central Auckland hotel where you will stay for 3 nights. The rest of today is at leisure.

Days 2-3: Auckland

You have a couple of days before you start your road trip to explore Auckland as you choose. Perhaps explore sights around the city such as the Sky Tower, Weta Workshop,  The All Blacks Experience or the Auckland Museum (attractions optional, additional expense).

Day 4: Auckland – Hobbiton – Rotorua

Hit the road today, collect your rental car and set off on your journey south with the first stop in Matamata (drive time approximately 2.5-hours/170km). At the Shires Rest we have included the following experience: Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tour & Lunch – this family farm tour shows intricate details pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how movie magic was made here. You will be guided by an expert past the colourful Hobbit doors scattered across the hillsides before enjoying a buffet lunch.

Continue your journey to Rotorua, a small lakeside country town (approximately 45 mins drive) .  Stay for 3 nights in Rotorua.

Days 5-6: Rotorua

Your central Rotorua hotel is a great base to explore New Zealand’s geothermal and cultural capital. Take a short stroll to the lakefront to ride the thrilling Kawarau Jet on Lake Rotorua, or drive to the Skyline gondola and luge, walk in the redwood forest or venture out to Lake Tarawera. We have included the following experience one night during your stay in Rotorua: Maori Cultural Experience & Hangi Dinner – The legacy of welcoming visitors (manuhiri) began almost 200 years ago, this legacy continues today as you are welcomed by the descendants of the original hosts. Enjoy Te Puia’s famous hāngī buffet dinner, a cultural performance including a pōwhiri (traditional welcome), waiata (song), mōteatea (traditional chant) poi and haka. Your evening finishes with a hot chocolate and steamed pudding surrounded by steam and the geyser terrace bathed in coloured light.

Day 7: Rotorua – Tongariro

Drive south further into the heart of the North Island today to Tongariro National Park. This journey is 3 hours driving, or if you choose to make a fully day of it you may wish to stop along the way and beautiful Lake Taupo and Huka Falls.  Tongariro N.P. is home to the three mountains of Ruapehu (the largest mountain in the North Island) , Ngauruhoe (the youngest volcano) and Tongariro whose landscape has developed over the last 300,000 years. Stay in Tongariro for 2 nights.

Day 8: Tongariro

Tongariro National Park  and specifically the area around Mount Ngauruhoe is a popular destination for fans as many scenes were filmed in this area. The volcanic landscape with jagged black rocks, crater lakes and geothermal vents creates a desolate and otherworldly appearance that was used extensively as a filming location for scenes. You may choose to take a guided hike on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing a 19km hike over the mountain (optional, additional expense) or you may choose a self-guided exploration of the area with the help of Google maps and a list of coordinates from the Department of Conservation showing where key scenes were filmed.

Day 9: Tongariro – Wellington

Continue your road trip southwards today to New Zealand’s small capital city Wellington (approximately 4 hours drive). If you want to take your time today perhaps take a detour and stop at Putangirua Pinnacles on Cape Palliser, a unique landscape that is just as striking as it was in the film.

Wellington is where the country’s parliament is located and is a wonderful compact city to explore local food and wine as well as attractions such as Te Papa (The Museum of New Zealand) and Zealandia Ecosanctuary (attractions optional, additional expense.  Stay in Wellington for 2 nights.

Day 10: Wellington

Today we have something special in store for you and have included the following experience: Lord of The Rings Full Day Guided Tour – After admiring views from the top of Mt Victoria, head into the ‘Outer Shire’ for the first stop at the Hobbits Hideaway. Visit the iconic Weta Cave in Miramar (in an area also referred to as Wellywood) where you will go behind the scenes to see film props and weaponry, with the artists sharing how the artefacts were created. Head north following the ‘River Anduin’ to take in the sights of ‘Helms Deep’ before stopping at the ‘Gardens of Isengard’.

Day 11: Wellington – Blenheim

Today you will travel from the North island to the South island.  Travel by ferry from Wellington and cruise across the Cook Strait through Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton.  On arrival, your drive to Blenheim will be approximately 30-minutes. Stay in Blenheim for 3 nights.

Days 12-13: Blenheim

You have a few days to pause in Blenheim, your time here is at leisure to have a break from road tripping and enjoy a few days in a small New Zealand town, perhaps enjoying some wine.  Known as a gateway to the wineries of the Wairau Valley, Blenheim also has the Marlborough Museum that chronicles the development of winemaking and early Polynesian settlement in the region and the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre  that houses filmmaker Peter Jackson’s collection of World War I aircraft.

Day 14: Blenheim – Christchurch

Travel south to Christchurch today, a drive that takes approximately 4-hours.  We recommend setting out early and planning to stop along the way.  A popular choice of stops along this coastal route is in Kaikoura, where if you choose you can go whale-watching (additional expense). Stay in Christchurch for 2 nights.

Day 15: Christchurch & Canterbury

Another exciting sightseeing day, we have included the following guided excursion for LOTR enthusiasts – Canterbury Rings Tour – Journey to the peaceful mountain that was transformed into a fantasy capital city. Immerse yourself in the natural, unspoilt beauty of this breathtaking area with sparkling clear lakes, glistening blue rivers, rugged mountain ranges and fresh, crisp mountain air. Enjoy a short 4WD adventure, get your photo taken with movie replica swords and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch in the mountains.

Day 16: Christchurch – Mt Cook

Depart Christchurch today and continue road tripping into the heart of the South Alps and Mt Cook (New Zealand’s tallest mountain).  This drive will take approximately 4.5-5- hours driving. Stay in Mount Cook Village for 1 night.

Day 17: Mt Cook – Queenstown & Southern Lakes

Continue your scenic road trip south today to the alpine resort town of Queenstown, on the shored of Lake Wakatipu.  This drive will take approximately 3.5 hours. Stay in Queenstown for 4-nights.

Days 18-20: Queenstown & Southern Lakes

The last stop on this epic adventure is known as New Zealand’s adventure playground for good reason! you will not be short of options on things to do in Queenstown, from bungy jumping and jetboating to national parks and wine tasting!  Your time here is mostly free to explore as you choose,. One day during your stay in the Southern Lake region we have included your last special LOTS inspired day out: Queenstown Rings Safari Tour – A scenic safari offers breathtaking mountain and forest views along the shore of Lake Wakatipu towards Glenorchy and the Paradise Valley. See many filming locations, experience river crossings and off-roading in the Arrow River with the opportunity to try your hand at gold panning. Travel an historic goldmining road and take in the spectacular panoramic views over the Wakatipu Basin.

Day 21: Depart Queenstown, New Zealand

Your journey comes to an end today.  Drop off your rental vehicle today and proceed to Queenstown Airport (flights not included).