YOUR DAY
Guided: Upon arrival at Auckland Airport, a shuttle driver will be waiting for you as you clear customs. This driver will take you to your accommodation in the city.
Self Drive: Upon arrival at Auckland Airport you will collect your rental vehicle within the airport terminal. Make your way to your inner city accommodation.
This afternoon you will visit Weta for a wildly immersive experience that journeys you through our wacky world of moviemaking. this 90-minute hosted tour is centred on three fully developed and original film concepts: a nail-biting horror, a fantasy epic and a mind-bending sci-fi.
YOUR DAY
250km, 3.5 hours driving
Today you farewell the ‘City of Sails’ and head south to Rotorua; a hot spot for Māori culture and geothermal activity.
En route you will visit Hobbiton and The Shire’s Rest, the only remaining film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. You'll also enjoy a buffet style feast in the festive marquee next to the Green Dragon!
Arrive in Rotorua in the late afternoon and perhaps explore Kuirau Park mud pool reserve and view the stunning government gardens and lakefront.
YOUR DAY
Your first stop for the day is Waimangu Volcanic Valley - a Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity. You will see the world's largest hot spring, sinter terraces and stunning hot and cold pools of many different colours. You'll also enjoy a cruise above the once famous Pink and White Terraces, buried by the eruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886.
This afternoon is free for leisure activities. Options include: Rotorua Gondola and Luge, zorbing, a trip to The Buried Village of Te Wairoa, a native bush walk to the beautiful Okere Falls, or a visit to the spectacular Redwoods Treewalk! (all activities listed are optional – extra cost).
Tonight you will enjoy a twilight kayak glowworm tour which will lead you along the shorelines of a beautiful lake during sunset/dusk en route to a small cavern home to a constellation of glow worms. Once it becomes dark you enter the cavern to be surrounded by a galaxy of glow worms. On your paddle home you will be guided to a series of another 3 small cave locations (weather dependent) before gazing at the stars if the sky as clear and making your way back to the beach you started from.
YOUR DAY
242km, 3 hours driving
Heading south and stopping at the mighty Huka Falls en route, you will reach Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake. You will wind your way south along Lake Taupō to the beautiful River Valley via the Tongariro National Park.
Arrive in Tongariro National Park, where you may wish to enjoy a scenic hike. The Tongariro Natinal Park features the mighty Mount Doom (Mount Ngauruhoe) and many other LOTR filming locations. One of The Road Trip’s favourite hikes is 2 hours long featuring native bush, volcanic views and stunning waterfalls. In clear weather there is a great opportunity to spot 3 of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes - Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngaurauhoe (Mount Doom).
There will be plenty of time to explore LOTR filming locations today before continuing on to River Valley Loge, deep in the wilderness of the central North Island, on the banks of the Rangitikei River, which was one of four rivers used to portray River Anduin in The Lord of the Rings. Enjoy a complimentary dinner at the lodge tonight.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that can be visited today:
Mount Doom
Emyn Muil
Last Alliance Battle/Mordor
Gollum's Pool
YOUR DAY
Today you will be taken on a full day scenic rafting trip down the Rangitikei River (grade 3 maximum rapids) which will see you drifting through dramatic landscapes which portrayed the stunning “River Anduin.” in the Lord of the Rings. This is not specifically a Lord of the Rings tour but is on the same river which filming was undertaken on and the scenery is breath-taking! This evening you will be staying overnight at River Valley Lodge. Enjoy a complimentary dinner at the lodge tonight.
If rafting isn't your thing, you can instead explore River Valley by e-bike or horseback! We can provide several options.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that will be visited today:
River Anduin (Rangitikei River - one of several rivers used for filming)
Maximum Grade 3 Rapids. Available October - April (Only Grade 5 rafting available May to September)
YOUR DAY
307km, 4 hours 10 minutes driving
You will leave River Valley Lodge and head for Taihape - The gumboot throwing capital of the world! Give gumboot throwing a go at their specially designed gumboot throwing lane! Further down the road you will enjoy the picturesque drive through Martinborough and neighbouring towns in the Wairarapa, famous for it's wine production. Perhaps pop in to Poppie's for a delightful wine tasting!
Next up, drive out to the Putangirua Pinnacles; a stunning yet unusual canyon like landscape surrounded by tall, thin pinnacle rock formations. Take the walk up to the lookout and view this bizarre but beautiful landscape from above. These impressive weathered pillars of rock were used in the scenes for Dimholt Road where Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli search for the Army of the Undead in The Return of the King. Heading over the Remutaka Ranges, you arrive in Wellington in the afternoon.
YOUR DAY
Today you will be taken on a full day Lord of the Rings tour with Xplor Tours to see many filming locations in the greater Wellington area! Sites today include Dunharrow, the Outer Shire, parts of the Hutt River used to also portray The River Anduin, the Gardens of Isengard and the glorious Rivendell! You will also see where Helms Deep and Minas Tirith were filmed. Today’s tour also includes a tour through the Weta Cave at Weta Workshop where post production for LOTR and The Hobbit trilogies was completed.
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit filming locations that will be visited today:
Rivendell
Isengard Gardens
Dunharrow
The Outer Shire
Helms Deep
Minas Tirith
Today you will transfer to Wellington Airport. We trust you have had a fantastic time in our beautiful country and wish you safe travels to your next destination.