Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a full day, all-inclusive adventure in Wellington, the home of middle-Earth. Visit some amazing locations from the Lord of the Rings movies, enjoy a delicious lunch and visit the famous Weta Workshop, where the films were created.
We are Wellington's original Lord of the Rings tour and have been operating since 2002. Formerly Rover Rings Tours [before Covid], Welly Rings Tours is proud to show you Wellington as Middle-earth. Our fans-turned-guides will share with you fascinating stories of the making of these movies that you likely won't hear anywhere else - mainly because some of our guides were actually there!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for participants with walkers or limited mobility
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
What To Expect
Weta Workshop Experiences
Delve into the heart of Wellywood and visit the Weta Workshop, a physical effects workshop who created all the props, armour, weapons, costumes, miniatures and prosthetics for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Learn the secrets of movie magic on a behind-the-scenes tour by a Weta employee, who will explain the creative process behind bringing these films to life. You'll also have chance to take photos with various characters and weapons, as well as treating yourself to a souvenir or two, if desired.
Mount Victoria Lookout
Enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the harbour and city from the Mt Victoria lookout. Your guide will talk about the landmarks you can see from the top and help you take photos. Mt Victoria is always on the list of things to do in Wellington, so we thought we'd save you the trouble of walking up the hill to get there!
Options
LOTR FD for ARCADIA Passengers
Pickup included
LOTR FD for CRUISE PAX ONLY
Pickup included
Wellington's Original LOTR FD
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Weta Workshop tour and a lunch feast fit for a Hobbit included in tour price
Visit the best LOTR filming locations - Please note that no sets remain from the filming
Pick up and drop off available direct from cruise ships - we've never missed a drop off
Owned and operated by genuine fans, several of whom worked on the films
Expert guides with film industry experience
Guaranteed drop off back to Cruise Ship on time. We haven't missed a drop off in 15 years
Bonus native forest walk in a 1000-year-old temperate rainforest
Central Wellington pick up
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
591 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Can’t miss experience!
Philip L,May 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Unmissable for any LOTR fan!!! Robbie is one of the best storytellers that I have ever met - his extensive participation as an extra in the LOTR trilogy made him an absolute insider… Do not hesitate to book this tour! The connection that you’ll experience to actual filming locations (where your imagination takes over and transports you back to the movies) is astounding!! Highly, highly recommended - the 8 hours passed by in the blink of an eye.
Just Excellent
naila b,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was excellent. There were multiple locations used around Wellington, and we visited them all. From some of the River Anduin scenes, to where the Hobbits tumbled down the side of the hill as they are escaping Farmer Maggot. Even the spot where they hid under the tree from the black rider, though this tree was just a prop in the film you can still see where they hid. This was just in the morning. Then to top it off we drove past Stone Street Studios (where the looked to be setting up for the Hunt for Gollum) which was cool and then onto Weta Workshop to see all the props and how they were made for the films even getting the chance to pick up some swords and dress up. And it was interesting to see some of the other projects that Weta have worked on, not just Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit Lunch was included and afterwards, we visited the Forrest where Rivindell was filmed, took pictures and got to dress up and get some great photos. We also got to drive past the quarry where Helms Deep and Minas Tirith were built however since this is a working quarry there is no public access. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and interesting and even had some behind the scenes stories as she worked on the Lord of the Rings films. Overall an excellent day
A great tour with a great guide!
Brody P,May 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Jacks enthusiasm and knowledge really made this tour special! Thanks so much for taking me around Wellington and sharing all the info on the LotR sights. I would recommend this tour to anyone, was a lot of fun!
The Fellowship of Karl Urban
Jennifer W,May 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Hamish was a wonderful tour guide! He was funny and friendly and made the day excellent. Would definitely recommend to our friends.!
Excellent tour! Grant was...
Kate H,May 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour! Grant was so knowledgable and enthusiastic about all things Lord of the Rings and Tolkien, but he also shared so much about Wellington too! We had a fabulous time.
Walk this path to Rivendell
nimbrethil,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a wonderful and memorable time. Our tour guide Grant was so friendly, approachable and helpful. He had an endless supply of fascinating tidbits about Wellington, its flora and fauna, and of course all about the LOTR filming process that I didn't know about, even as a decades long fan! Thoroughly enjoyed my delightful pilgrimage to Rivendell. Highly recommend this tour!
Brilliant tour! Hamish...
Samantha A,May 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Brilliant tour! Hamish was super knowledgeable and went above and beyond. So great to see some of the Lord of the Rings locations.
Bringing it to life
Alan1fromOz,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A surprising and enjoyable tour around the LOTR locations near to Wellington. Our guide, Garth, was very adept at bringing to life the scenes that were filmed at these sometimes innocuous places. The Weta Workshop included tour was fascinating and fun. A must for LOTR afficionados.
Lotr tour
ericwK1918BL,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great tour. I highly recommend it.
This was a great tour and...
Jennifer B,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great tour and an awesome way to spend the day! The tour guide was naturally extremely knowledgeable about LOTR but also about New Zealand in general - highly recommend!
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Operated by Wellington Rings Tours