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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Weta Workshop
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!
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
Options
LOTR FD for CRUISE PAX ONLY
Pickup included
Wellington's Original LOTR FD
Pickup included
LOTR FD for ARCADIA Passengers
Pickup included
Reviews
554 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Perfect day
Charlotte,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00From our incredible tour guide, to the variety of different stops, it was truly an unforgettable tour!
Marc Landrain (Frenchie)...
sheri b,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Marc Landrain (Frenchie) was the best guide ever! His stories about the film and his experiences made the tour incredibly fun.
Very much enjoyed this...
Gail F,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very much enjoyed this tour. This tour visited many places where Lord of the Rings was filmed and so many unheard details of the making of it. The visit to the Weta workshop was also interesting but have to admit I personally preferred the one in Auckland. Was impressed with what is being done to offer facilities to those in the film industry to make movies, well done.
LOTR tour
Sandra G,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had Marc who was an awesome driver and guide.. He took the time to tell us many stories from the making of the movie as he was one of the elves in the movie. He also took the time to explaini how some of the movie magic happened. Great tour.
LOTR must do!!
Darin B,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00We had an amazing day. The rain did not damper our day at all. Amazing full day of LOTR. I recommend for anyone visiting Wellington. Oh and the lunch was really good!
The best way to see Wellington, Weta and LOTR filming sites in one day
Peter G,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wellington is gorgeous, and Weta is amazing, and if you're a Lord of the Rings fan, this tour is a must (but it's a great tour anyway). Unlike Hobbiton, most of the other filming sites have reverted back to their original status as parks or other locations. Isenberg is a frisbee golf course. But Andy would take us to the place where the Hobbits fell to the path at the outskirts of the Shire and hid from the dark rider, or where Aragorn and Arwen kissed in Rivendell, and show us the picture from the movie, pictures from the filming, and we could see the actual trees, paths, and more as Peter Jackson saw them. Pretty amazing. Plus behind-the-scenes stories and so much more. At Weta, we got to hold the same swords that Pippin and Boromir held in the films. And we got some stunning views of Wellington. There's some significant walking and sometimes on uneven or raked ground, so if you have any instability, a walking stick is a must.
Great day out!
Jess V,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Grant was fantastic! He is incredibly knowledgeable about LOTR as well as Wellington in general. He was very engaging and made the tour very enjoyable despite it being a rainy cold day!
A fabulous experience!
DianneO E,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My sister and I have been on many shore excursions, and we both agree that this was one of the best we have ever experienced! Marc Landrain, our guide had been an extra in The Lord of the Rings films and was so energetic and knowledgeable about the films. He provided a lot of insider knowledge and many funny anecdotes about the filming. We went to many of the sites where the movies were filmed. We enjoyed every aspect of the tour and would recommend it wholeheartedly!! It was wonderful!
Wonderful Lord of the Rings Tour.
stevedK4563BJ,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide Gina was a wonderful host and tour bus driver! Many interesting stops and facts about the making of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Thanks Marc for a great day!
PETER W,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00If you want a superb insight into the making of The Lord Of The Rings films , this is the tour for you ! Marc's in depth knowledge, insight, humour, music and quizzes were just superb. Thanks Marc !!
From NZ$325.00
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