Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Take a journey with us deep into Middle Earth and explore unique Lord of the Rings filming locations from Queenstown to Glenorchy and Mt Aspiring World Heritage N.P.
Feel the trilogy come to life as you visit the breathtaking and magical landscape that inspired Peter Jackson’s film locations for The Lord of the Rings movies.
We are the only company with EXCLUSIVE ACCESS to the filming locations on Arcadia Station, where scenes from the Hobbit & Wolverine were filmed.
Travel in small groups with local guides who have a real passion and knowledge of the area. Take in the diverse landscape of ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier carved valleys.
Explore the unique flora and fauna and get up close to the New Zealand animals and birdlife.
We are a Local family owned & operated tour company that offer the real experience. Operating since 2005!
We are one of the few companies that hold Department of Conservation Concessionaire permits to access Mt Aspiring National park.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This tour is not suitable for children under 5 years of age.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Glenorchy-Queenstown Road
Tour as our guest from Queenstown on one of the Top 10 scenic drives in the world up the Glenorchcy road to visit epic scenery and Lord Of The Rings filming locations.
Bennets Bluff Lookout
The most scenic lookout in New Zealand
What‘s Included
Exclusive access to the Arcadia Station Filming locations in the Paradise valley!
Optional Lord of the Rings costumes/ replica swords
A light morning or afternoon tea , with cake, biscuits and hot tea & coffee
Professional, friendly & local guides
Live Commentary
Umbrellas provided
Coffee and/or Tea
Options
Morning Tour
Morning Tour
Afternoon Tour
Afternoon Tour
Reviews
1,263 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Could not attend due to health emergency and lost money
Shahira K,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Less than 24 hours before the tour, I was admitted to Queenstown emergency due to a health issue and requested to reschedule. Unfortunately, my request was not accommodated. While I understand policies exist, I believe a medical emergency is a reasonable circumstance where some discretion or goodwill could be considered—especially for a fully paid tour. Overall, the company was not at fault from a policy standpoint, but I also felt there was no effort to go the extra mile in an exceptional situation. Based on this experience, I wanted to share my feedback so future travelers know what to expect.
Our tour guide Tristan had a lot of knowledge regarding LOTR. Beautiful scenery of the places where they were shot.
Kym C,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about everything on this trip with regards to TLOTR. He was very friendly and helpful towards us all.
Beautiful scenery and also entertaining!
jessicacX8501SM,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I booked this tour because my boyfriend is a big LOTR fan. I wouldn't say I'm a big LOTR fan (although we had just watched the movies right before our New Zealand trip), but we both thoroughly enjoyed the tour and all of the beautiful scenery. Our guide, Max, was enthusiastic and provided entertaining commentary throughout the tour and was also a willing photographer. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone with even an ounce of interest in LOTR!
The Queenstown landscape...
Jennifer W,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The Queenstown landscape is gorgeous and seeing so many LOTR locations added the magic. Our guide,Amy, shared lots of entertaining movie trivia and local insights. She’s a gem. Our one group member who hadn’t seen the LOTR movies can’t wait to watch now! Highly recommend!
I’ve wanted to do this tour since I was a kid!
dereksF4407RR,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a fun tour. I’ve watched all the movies many times and it was so cool to see the spots they filmed. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid. Dan the tour guide was fantastic, super knowledgeable and personable. He got me excited to read the books and he just made me love New Zealand more than I already did. His energy and enthusiasm for LOTR was evident. I’d highly recommend this group, it was all very smooth and easy and well worth what I paid.
Lord of the Rings in Queenstown
tonihL1182IY,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour was great. Dan, our guide, was outstanding. Extremely knowledgeable, engaging and great humour. His stories really made the experience memorable. Such a kind person who went out of his way to make the experience a highlight.
Amazing experience even if you’re not a LOTR fan
pooryap2016,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great experience on this tour. Even if you’re not a Lord of the Rings fan, you will still enjoy it, especially the scenes filmed on private farms. The views were absolutely astonishing. Our guide Sally was very kind and knowledgeable, which made the trip even better. Highly recommend!
Fabulous tour that we would highly recommend!!
kathleenmI6666ZQ,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Dan was absolutely fabulous! The trip was expertly choreographed and responsive to the needs of our group. We liked that it encompassed information that all of us could enjoy! Out of the four adults in our group, we all had watched LOR but had different levels of familiarity. Dan was articulate and knowledgeable and covered a wide range of general New Zealand information, fun stories about how the locals were involved in the filming and engaging stories about behind the scenes filming of not only LOR, but the wide range of other movies filmed in the region. We took a number of tours throughout our visit across NZ and this was one of our favorites!!
This was an awesome...
Matthew S,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an awesome experience! Our tour guide Tristan couldn't have been more knowledgeable and nerdy (in a good way) about LOTR. He took the time to explain locations and film particulars, and even though the day was grey and rainy everyone had a great time. We also visited a final tour site that other tour companies don't get to go to, so don't book with the others!
Gandalf says book this tour!
SarkenDS9,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tristan made the afternoon trip interesting and fun. His LOTR knowledge is boundless, he was caring and considerate to all of us guests. I reccomend this tour of the beautiful locations used for filming. Plating the sound track on the return journey made soaking up the scenic drive unforgettable. We will be doing the morning one in the future too. Thanks Tristan ☆☆☆☆☆
From NZ$198.86
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Operated by Pure Glenorchy Scenic Lord of the Rings Tours