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
1,237 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Magical trip through middle earth
Cornell87,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An exceptional and magical trip through middle earth. Our tour guide was highly knowledgeable and did a fantastic job explaining the scenes so we could really envision standing in the story. We’ll run small group contributed to this great morning. Views were beautiful even if you’re not a super fan
Stunningly beautiful and movie-relevant!
ZigZagDB,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide left the UK to live in this beautiful country! He is extremely knowledgeable about the movies and the countryside. He taught us the names of the mountains and the ranges. The movie sites were presented such that we all enjoyed his presentations. The dress up with the props was fun!Driving was safe and conservative! Thank you for that! We loved the tour!
Wonderful experience ,...
Prashant G,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful experience , had a great time , beautiful scenery, highly recommend. Entire tour was good.
DAN >>>> Every other tour guide for this amazing place
SSP0206,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour was amazing! We learned so much about the LOTR universe we didn’t know before, about both the filming process and the actual film’s fun facts. Our tour guide, Dan, was a main part of this since his knowledge extended beyond anything a Google search or a pamphlet/brochure about the scenery could teach us. He was also quite funny, always prepared for anything, whether it was preferences of passengers or weather. HE WAS AN ABSOLUTE LEGEND!!
Efficient tour and wonderful guide
kcF9418FM,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was executed efficiently with timely communication. We got to see key scenes of LOTR locations. The guide, Tristan, was informative and effective presenting the scene. This is a highlight of our NZ visit.
Really helpful and knowledgeable guide
kymr137,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic. I'm not a LOR's fan. I went for the scenery but really enjoyed the the back stories and the beautiful scenru. Guide was so enthusiastic, funny and accomplished. So sorry I have forgotten his name ! Irish legend
Amazing Middle Earth tour!
886shwetav,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour was excellent. Dan, our tour guide was A+. He had great insight, offered up some really good behind the scenes facts and was just a really good conversationalist overall, talking about books, and the movies on general. The cosplaying in "lothlorien" - Mt aspiring national Forest was a special touch and it was great to see all the locations close to Queenstown that were used in the LOTR movies. Appreciated all the personal details and the snacks and tea as well. Dan even pointed out a puteketeke to us. A solid 5 star tour, but Dan our tour guide was a big part of the experience.
There and Back Again - Queenstown to Glenorchy
Passport03806432711,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience, guide is highly knowledgeable on the movies and the filming locations. The tour is prefect for those who want to get an insight into how Middle Earth came to life and see the places it was filmed.
A Great visit
Tracy J,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the half day trip with Tristan as our guide. My wife and I are both big LOTR fans. The trip was amazing and Tristan is avid and knowledgeable LOTR fan himself and brought us to some amazing movie sites. With this company we gained exclusive access to a property around Paradise valley where LOTR was filmed as well as other movies such as the farm scene in Wolverine Origins. Amazing beauty and they had the original movie pics that Tristan held up again the sites we visited. We now want to come back and bring our adult children here as well. 5 stars for Tristan and this tour company
Love it
Ding Y,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience with this half-day trip. Really love the female guide (really sorry for not remembering her name), so hospitable with great expertise. Really appreciate and great love for the whole experience.
From NZ$198.86
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Operated by Pure Glenorchy Scenic Lord of the Rings Tours