Lord of the Rings film locations tour from Wellington
Weta Workshop shows you how they built the weapons and creatures that made the films real.
A full-day guided tour of Lord of the Rings film locations around Wellington, departing from your hotel and returning by early evening. You visit Dry Creek Quarry (Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith), the River Anduin, Rivendell with its swing bridge, Weta Workshop to see props and sets being made, Hobbiton Woods, Mount Victoria Lookout, and the Embassy Picture Theatre where two world premieres were held. Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, and live commentary are included. Lunch is not.
Step-by-step itinerary
Full day Lord of the Rings tour
- Visit Dry Creek Quarry Helm’s Deep
- See River Anduin and Gardens of Isengard
- Explore Rivendell and cross swing bridge
- Tour Weta Workshop props and sets
- Walk Hobbiton Woods and key scenes
- View Wellington from Mount Victoria Lookout
- Return to city Courtenay Place and Embassy Theatre
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Wellington accommodation.
- transport by air-conditioned minivan.
- a live guide providing commentary throughout the day.
- entry to Weta Workshop to see props, weapons and sets being made.
- access to all seven film locations including Rivendell, Hobbiton Woods and Mount Victoria Lookout.
Times
- Every day except Thursday 09:00
- Thursday 09:00 10:00
Before you book
Operated by Xplor Tours
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
You start from your Wellington hotel and travel by air-conditioned minivan with a live guide who narrates the route. The first stop is Dry Creek Quarry, where the filmmakers built the fortress sets for Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith. From there you move through the River Anduin location where the Fellowship travelled to Amon Hen, then the Gardens of Isengard where Gandalf and Saruman met to discuss the Ring and where the Orc destruction scenes were filmed.
Rivendell, home of the Elves in the films, comes next. Those who want to can cross the swing bridge. At Weta Workshop you watch artists at work making props, weaponry and sets. You'll see creatures like Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai and Bilbo's Trolls, plus sets from Thunderbirds. This is where the physical magic of the films happened, and it is the one stop where the tour shows you the craft behind what you saw on screen.
Hobbiton Woods is where the trilogy was filmed. The route takes you through the Mushroom scene, Sam and Frodo's Second Breakfast location, where the Hobbits hid from the Black Rider ("Get off the Road!"), the Race to the Bucklebury Ferry scene, and King Théoden's Dunharrow Encampment. A lunch stop is provided partway through the day, though the cost is not included in the tour price. Mount Victoria Lookout gives you views across Wellington itself. The tour ends back in the city at Courtenay Place and the Embassy Picture Theatre, which held the world premieres of The Return of the King in 2003 and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 2012.
Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and delivers live commentary on board, so you follow the story of each location as you travel: no headphones, no pre-recorded narration, just conversation that flows with the route itself.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
Can I cross the swing bridge at Rivendell if I'm not very fit?
The swing bridge at Rivendell is optional: more adventurous visitors can cross it, but it is not required. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, so you can skip it and explore the rest of the location on foot.
What happens at Weta Workshop on this tour?
Weta Workshop is where you see artists at work making the props, weapons and sets used in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. You'll see creatures like Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai and Bilbo's Trolls, as well as sets from other productions like Thunderbirds.
Is lunch included in the tour price?
A lunch stop is provided during the day, but the cost of lunch is not included in the tour price. You pay for your own meal at that point.
How long is the full tour?
The tour runs for about 6 to 6.5 hours from pickup at your hotel to drop-off, covering all seven main stops across the Wellington region.
If I'm arriving on a cruise ship, can I book this tour?
Yes, cruise ship passengers can book this tour. At checkout, select Wellington Cruise Ship Port (Aotea Quay, Pipitea) as your pickup location and add your ship name in the special requirements field so the driver can track your arrival.
What's included in the tour price?
Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned minivan, the driver/guide, and live commentary are included. Lunch, bottled water, coffee and tea are not included, and gratuities are at your discretion.
Lord of the Rings film locations tour from Wellington
6h–6h 30m · EN
from NZ$ 300 per person
≈ US$ 172 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.