Full Day Lord of the Rings Mavora Lakes Adventure!
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Embark on a Legendary Lord of the Rings Journey from Queenstown
Operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays this exclusive LOTR tour takes you deep into the Southland region, home to some of the most breathtaking and sought-after filming locations in Middle Earth.
Your journey heads to the stunning Mavora Lakes in Fiordland National Park, where cinematic magic meets unforgettable moments. Discover which fearless actor famously broke two toes near the edge of Fangorn Forest and relive the dramatic Breaking of the Fellowship as Frodo and Sam take their fateful steps toward Mordor.
During the warmer months with longer daylight (1 November - 31 March) this tour also ventures to Manapouri & Te Anau, where you’ll uncover the haunting beauty of the Anduin River and the Dead Marshes.
You’ll gear up for adventure with the largest collection of authentic, licensed LOTR props, including swords, axes, helmets, & even original scripts!
Duration:
1 Apr - 31 Oct: 7hrs
1 Nov - 31 Mar: 10hrs
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Travel time between locations is included on the total tour duration.
Not recommended for travelers who cannot walk more than 10mins on uneven ground. There is 1 walk where people unable to step over a stepladder fence may have to wait for up to 20 mins.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Photos with Authentic Props - We have the largest selection of Authentic Replica swords, axes, daggers & Helmets. Along with costumes to dress up.
(1 April - 31 October Itinerary only). Please advise any dietary requirements or allergies. 1 November - 31 March itinerary, lunch break in Te Anau at own expense.
1 % of all proceeds go to the Love Queenstown Community Fund preserving our breathtaking landscapes.
English Speaking Guide
Limited time offer: receive a FREE Souvenir Trails of Middle Earth LOTR themed Tote Bag per guest.
We also have copies of the original scripts and production call sheets
What To Expect
Queenstown
We depart from Queenstown and take the beautiful scenic drive via the Devils Staircase along lake Wakatipu to the Southland Region. We continue along the way learning about the history of the area and discuss a nearby location filmed for the Hobbit.
Manapouri
(1 November - 31 March Itinerary only) Our journey takes us to the legendary hall where Lord of the Rings production equipment was stored and where several iconic scenes were filmed. This fascinating location offers a behind-the-scenes look at the movie-making process. We then visit the stunning Fraser’s Beach, a tranquil spot where, on a clear day, visitors are treated to panoramic views of the majestic Southern Alps rising from the heart of Fiordland National Park. The striking contrast of the peaceful beach with the towering peaks creates a breathtaking landscape, making this stop a must-see for fans of both The Lord of the Rings and New Zealand’s natural beauty.
Options
Full Day Lord of the Rings Mavora Lakes Adventure!
Reviews
20 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing experience, hassle free and relaxing. Highly recommend.
Companion413862,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the Mavora Lakes all day tour with Shane and his trainee Bo/Beau/Beaux (?). Shane is one of the co-owners and made sure we were comfortable the entire ride with water, snacks, regular restroom breaks, hand sanitizer, etc. the entire trip. The Mercedes sprinter van was one of the best perks of the trip - super comfortable seats and spacious leg room. Shane was super passionate about his knowledge and experience, both regarding Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. He also served as a great resource for all things Queenstown / New Zealand, such as restaurant recommendations, hiking trails, bike trails, etc. The trip was well worth the amount paid, as we did not need to figure out which private road(s) to take and where to make the correct turn or hike. There are some short walks through the wilderness but nothing that is daunting or that the average person would be uncomfortable doing. Highly recommend, 5/5 stars. This is still a relatively new / young tour company, so you can really feel the care and effort the guides put in to the whole day. It’s truly a white glove service.
Incroyable
Trip39898870518,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing experience! The tour around Marova Lake offers breathtaking landscapes straight out of Middle-earth. Shane our was passionate and very informative, making the hike both accessible and enriching. A truly memorable adventure that I highly recommend to anyone who loves nature and fantasy!
A middle earth adventure
Omer O,
Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The trip was awesome . I want to thank Ian for a great detail oriented tour, all was correctly ordered , and we also had a very calm safe and comfort drive all the way to our middle eaeth adventures. We also did the half-day tour the next day. It was such a good time :)
Can’t recommend this...
Naim Y,
Sep 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Can’t recommend this enough. Ian the tour guide was not only knowledgeable but also very passionate, which made the whole experience so much better. The locations speak for themselves you go there and you instantly recognize scenes from the movies, and the props, well I ended up enjoying them way more that I probably should have ;)
Mavora Lakes Middle Earth Adventure
davidjohnmichaels,
Sep 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00From start to finish, the Mavora Lakes tour was unforgettable! It was made all the more special by our guide, Ian. His passion for both Tolkien’s world and New Zealand’s landscapes absolutely shined! Ian truly made this tour his own, and it was clear he enjoyed it as much as we did. The route highlights some of my favorite moments from FOTR: Rohan, Fangorn, and the climactic final scenes where the fellowship breaks :( My wife and I happened to be the only two guests that day, and Ian made sure the experience felt tailored just for us. Beyond the films, he shared fascinating insights into the history, geology, and ecology of the region that deepened our appreciation of the area. It's a 2 hour drive each way but it flew by because of Ian. The perfect finishing touch came on the drive back, when Ian played a rare recording of J.R.R. Tolkien reading from The Hobbit. It brought the tour full circle and I can't thnk of a better way to end our tour. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience on a dream vacation, made even more memorable by Ian and the team at Trails of Middle Earth. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough if you’re visiting Queenstown!
Unique Experience & Enthusiastic Guide
W9181DOjoeh,
Aug 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I only had one day for LotR sightseeing in a very busy schedule. After a lot of research settled on Trails' Mavora tour, and it was a great pick. The guide, Shane, was excellent and full of extra snippets of information about the films, and the filming. The sites themselves were iconic and the Mavora Lakes area is stunning. This area isn't visitied on most tours but I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a unique experience with an enthusiastic guide!
Mavora Lakes Middle Earth Adventure
S3651WPsuzanned,
Jun 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you to Ian and the team at Southern Trails for such an amazing experience exploring Middle Earth on the Mavora Lakes tour!
Mavora Lakes Middle Earth Adventure!
Suzanne D,
Jun 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Thank you to Ian and the team at Southern Trails for such an amazing experience exploring Middle Earth on the Mavora Lakes tour!
Fabulous tour, for fans of the Lord of the Rings and not
crisintheworld,
May 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We toured New Zealand to visit the Lord of the Rings sites. This tour was a great discovery! Together with other enthusiastic fans like us, despite the freezing weather, we walked in the forest of Fangorn, hid from the charge of Rohan's Eored against the Uruk-hai and watched the Company melt on the banks of the Anduin. In short, if you are a fan, there is nothing better! Instead, if you are in New Zealand looking for stunning natural landscapes, you will not be disappointed. With TheLordoftheRingsTours, you can access areas that require special permits, see crystal clear lakes and virgin forests as old as the world, the Devil's Staircase, and, in company, learn a lot about the area, from Maori legends to stories about crazy settlers.
My favorite activity in Queenstown
H1736RGmichaelb,
May 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I highly, highly recommend this company for tours, the guides my wife and I had (Ian and Shane) were some amazing people. Their knowledge of the films, books, and locations was expansive! They make the van feel like a fellowship. My wife and I liked them so much we did both tours they offer. Oh, and they will even discount the next tour you do with them! It’s tons of fun for fans and non fans alike. A MUST do activity for fans. If you aren’t a fan, they also talk about local history and culture. I cannot recommend them enough.
Related Experiences
Operated by Trails of Middle Earth - Lord of the Rings Sightseeing Tours