Wellington: Lord of the Rings Film Locations & Weta Workshop Tour

The Lord of the Rings came together here, and you'll see where

You get picked up from your hotel, driven to Mount Victoria Lookout for views of Wellington, then taken to five Hobbiton Woods filming locations where key scenes were shot. The Weta Workshop tour shows you how props and weapons were made, and you can photograph yourself with Gollum and other character replicas. Hotel drop-off is included at the end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lord of the Rings filming locations tour

• Drive up Courtenay Place
• Visit Mount Victoria Lookout
• Explore Hobbiton Woods filming sites
• Tour Weta Workshop behind scenes
• See props, weaponry, and sets
• Photo at Weta Cave with characters
• Drive around bays back to city

The experience

The minivan was supposed to pick you up at eight, and it's 8:17 when it actually rolls up. Your driver apologizes, but honestly it doesn't matter. You're about to spend the next few hours in the actual Wellington locations where the Fellowship was filmed, and a few minutes late feels like nothing. You head up Courtenay Place toward Mount Victoria Lookout, passing the Embassy Picture Theatre on the way: the place where they screened The Return of the King and An Unexpected Journey. The city spreads out below you from the lookout, and your guide points out the bays, the harbor, the whole geography that became Middle-earth on film.

Then it's off to Hobbiton Woods, where the real work of the Lord of the Rings trilogy started. This is where they shot five separate scenes: the Shortcut to Mushrooms, Sam and Frodo's Second Breakfast, the moment the Hobbits scrambled off the road from the Black Rider, the Race to the Buckleberry Ferry, and King Théoden's Dunharrow Encampment. Walking through these spots, you realize how much of the magic happened in these actual trees and clearings, not in post-production. Your guide fills in the details of what was filmed where, and you start to see the scenes overlaid on the real landscape.

The Weta Workshop in Miramar is where the tour shifts into something else entirely. You get a behind-the-scenes look at how the props and weaponry were actually built. The craftsmanship is visible in every piece. You might see artists at work, depending on the day. In the Weta Cave, you can stand next to Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai, and Bilbo's three Trolls, and take photos. It's the kind of thing that feels a bit surreal until you're actually standing there. After that, the drive back loops around the bays and returns you to the city, and the whole half-day Lord of the Rings tour in Wellington is done.

What’s included

Your half-day tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off within the Wellington CBD, transport in an air-conditioned minivan with a driver/guide providing live commentary throughout, and access to Mount Victoria Lookout, Hobbiton Woods filming locations, and the Weta Workshop behind-the-scenes tour with photo opportunities. GST is included in the price.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 40 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Xplor Tours

Is this one for you?Right for Lord of the Rings fans with a free morning or afternoon in Wellington who want to see the actual filming locations without arranging their own transport. The half-day format means you're back by early afternoon, which works if you're catching a flight or have other plans later.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How long is the tour?

It's a half-day tour. The exact duration depends on your hotel location and traffic, but plan for roughly 4–5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Do I need to book a specific pickup time?

Yes, you'll need to provide your hotel or pickup location at booking. If you don't know your hotel yet, the default is Wellington iSite Visitor Centre, and you can change it later. Cruise ship passengers should select Aotea Quay, Pipitea as their pickup point.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport in an air-conditioned minivan, a driver/guide, live commentary, and GST. Entry to Weta Workshop and the sites themselves is included.

Will I meet any of the filmmakers or actors?

No. You may see Weta Workshop artists at work during the behind-the-scenes tour, depending on the day, but there's no guarantee of meeting cast or crew.

Is this tour only for Lord of the Rings fans?

It helps to have some interest in the films, but the tour also covers Wellington's geography, film history, and the craftsmanship of the Weta Workshop, so it appeals beyond just LOTR enthusiasts.

What if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Cruise passengers can book this tour with pickup at Wellington Cruise Ship Port (Aotea Quay, Pipitea). You'll need to add your ship name in the special requirements field so the driver can coordinate timing with your ship's departure.