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
1,362 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Scenic Tour
ew956,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful time, the views were incredible and ample time was given for us to take photos and enjoy the scenery. The picnic provided midway too was a nice touch. Our guide was Tristan.
Movie re-visiting
john c,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The more you know the movies, the better it will be. Most locations featured stills from movie scenes so your familiarity with particular scenes enhances the experiences.
Golden leaves were painted for the forest?!?!
angelag988,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00You can't go to NZ without learning about the LOTR. We even had people join that had no idea what LOTR was, but they figured the sights would be beautiful. They weren't disappointed! It was fun to see the places next to the photos that Max (our guide) shared with us. Nice to see that the places were real and not CG. Loved hearing little stories on the making of the movies. Max also brought cloaks, masks, and swords as photo props. We had a bit of fun with these. In one location, we saw that another filming crew was there making the movie "Zelda". In all, we thoroughly enjoyed the places we saw. Great tour!
Great scenery and experience!!!
Trail40327347870,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Outstanding tour. Tristen, our tour guide, was fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable and super fun. The scenery on the tour was worth the tour alone, but adding the LOTR history to each site was just fantastic.
A great tour for fans of Lord of the Rings
profmom 12,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was the first thing we did after arriving in NZ. It was a wonderful tour for LOTR fans. We are so it was super fun. Our guide Dan was the BEST—Awesome and fun! Beautiful areas to see.
Solomon’s personal touches made it worthwhile
Annette G,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was the best tour I’ve been on so far due to Solomon adding personal touches to this tour. It was very moving. Any one can drive this area, however, Solomon had the background on how the movies were made. This coupled with this personal touches and stories of the area, made this tour most enjoyable. Haven’t had this much in some time. Highly recommended.
Lo
Yvonne C,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A definite for the Lord of the Rings fans! Dan was a wonderful tour guide and the places visited were spectacular!
You shall not pass without learning a ton!
EdHarrigan,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Overall this was a great experience! Our tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable and clearly a serious Lord Of The Rings/Tolkien nerd, but he did well to balance that out for a van full of people with mixed interests. He taught us not only about the LOTR books and film-making history, but also about the geology and geography, flora and fauna and the history of the Lake Wakatipu region. When we got into the woods he broke out his collection of LOTR swords and costumes and the real LOTR geeks had their moment.
Terrific LOTR tour!
Happiness258136,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great tour! I recommend it to anyone who is a fan!
Wonderful LOTR tour by excellent guide
calverth2022,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dan gave the best guided tour I have been on in years. This company has access to private land where they did actual shooting of LOTR. Pretty cool stuff. Found a little gold on public land that he said I can keep. Great tour!
From NZ$198.86
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Operated by Pure Glenorchy Scenic Lord of the Rings Tours