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
Wellington's Original LOTR FD
Pickup included
LOTR FD for CRUISE PAX ONLY
Pickup included
LOTR FD for ARCADIA Passengers
Pickup included
Reviews
535 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic guide with lots...
Tracie P,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic guide with lots of first hand experience and knowledge. Visited more locations than we thought we would, didnt spend as much time at the studios as we had hoped.
My husband and I had a...
Rebecca B,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My husband and I had a great time and would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in LOTR. We initially considered considering driving out to the film sites by ourselves, but I'm glad we did the tour! We learned so much more about filming LOTR than we would have otherwise and we got to relax while someone else handled the driving. Also, our guide Sarah had such a wonderful, positive energy and gave us lots of information not just about LOTR but the city itself.
Excellent tour. Ben was...
Andrew F,,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour. Ben was great. Scenery was beautiful and explanations of how sets and scenes were set up. Pick up from cruise terminal and drop off went well.
Great Tour
Jill K,,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour stopped at many film locations and the driver (Ben) gave us tons of information and details about each location. The Weta Workshop experience was very informative and we walked away knowing lots more about how the props and design work was done. Great tour and well worth doing.
Natural settings - nice. Info about the details of the movies — not so much.
RobertS D,,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The guide was superb. I enjoyed seeing the natural settings of the movies, even though the movies, for me, are just ok.
Great stuff
evelyn T,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great overview of Wellington starting with Mount Victoria, The WETA workshop was certainly a highlight. Multiple stops and visits for LOTR filming sites including a river, parks and rainforest. Water and snacks given earlier and a wonderful buffet lunch was provided at a lovely restaurant.. make sure you look at the garden on site. The guides were full of information and answered all questions... a must do for Wellington.
A Must See
Jennifer S,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wow! This tour was awesome andis a MUST while in Wellington! We give it the highest rating possible out of all the experiences we have done in our three week tour . It was a fascinating experience, and we learned so much about Wellington, WETA workshop, film, production and the Lord of the Rings filming details. The guide told such interesting stories about all the characters, actors and locations! Our guides were Ben and Gina B and they were funny, friendly, efficient , interesting and so knowledgeable. They even went out of their way to help us out with some travel and shopping tips at the end of the tour.
Wellington LOTR adventure
Sharon B,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Be prepared to walk and know there are some ‘drive by’ points - have your camera ready. Also be prepared for the Wellington elements. The Weta Workshop tour doesn’t allow photos so develop your photographic memory skills. Great tour. Thanks Grant!
Caught Up In Middle Earth
LightPacker657824,,Jan 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00While we had some rain, this was a great tour! Dixie was lots of fun and most helpful. Her subject matter knowledge was super and she brought to locations to life for us. My wife and I were not gung-ho LOTR people like some in our group, but were caught up in the excitement. We enjoyed hiking around in the woods a bit and the studio was amazing.
Exceptional tour.
Justin L,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour was very fun and comprehensive. Marc was an exceptional tour guide, as he played a number of roles in front of and behind the camera on the LoTR trilogy. His stories made the whole experience unforgettable. Lots of photo ops. There are a few filming locations in Wellington proper, but the full day tour goes outside the city for some amazing walks through nature. Perfect for LoTR superfans and regular fans that want to learn more. Rainforest tour was a great addition as well. Highly recommend this tour.
From NZ$325.00
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Operated by Wellington Rings Tours