A $5 NZD Fuel surcharge will be added per person at check out or final step of payment.

This is the ultimate tour for every Lord of the Rings true fan! Spend a full day deep in the scenic movie locations, hear tales and behind the scenes filming stories, try replica props and walk in ancient forests. Our local guides will transport you through the magical lands of Queenstown and Glenorchy, bringing the films to life for you. This tour includes a light lunch ($20 voucher) in a Queenstown café as well as morning and afternoon tea.

The morning begins with the scenic Glenorchy safari which offers breathtaking mountain and forest views along the shore of Lake Wakatipu towards Glenorchy and the Paradise Valley. Visit the filming locations for Isengard, the Ithilien Camp, Lothlorien & Fanghorn forest, and the Seat of Seeing/ Battle of Amon Hen, and many more.

The Route from Glenorchy follows the Dart River to the spectacular filming location for Isengard. This location offers stunning views of Mt Earnslaw. Heading to Paradise, discover the location for the Forrest of Lothlorien. Leaving Glenorchy and heading towards Queenstown, you will stop at 12 Mile Delta to explore the location of the Ithilien Camp.

After lunch travel part way up Queenstown hill, you get a birds-eye view of Deer Park Heights, which was used for the refugees of Rohan and the Battle of the Wargs scenes. Travelling from the Queenstown hill viewpoint, we head to the Kawarau Gorge where the filming took place for the Argonath, or Pillars of the Kings. Leaving the Kawarau Gorge the trip heads to Arrowtown where the loss of The One Ring at Gladden Fields was shot. Near Arrowtown, you will experience a true off-road adventure. Following a historic gold mining road up the Arrow River, you will cross the river many times to get to the Ford of Bruinen. At this point, you can indulge in afternoon tea and try your hand at a spot of gold panning. From Arrowtown, you will travel to the entrance of Skippers Canyon where you will be offered spectacular panoramic views of Queenstown and into Skippers Canyon to Lighthouse Rock.

The trip may alternate with the Queenstown tour in the morning and Glenorchy in the afternoon.

If your preferred date and time are unavailable, please feel free to contact us.

Important: get in touch if you need to cancel between 7 days and 24 hours prior to your tour: res@nomadsafaris.co.nz

FAQ's

Private Charters

If you’d like a more private trip, you can book a whole vehicle for your group, our maximum group size is 6.

4 Pax max

Choose this option to guarantee everyone a window seat. A maximum of four passengers per vehicle, each guest enjoys their own window seat. This differs from our standard tours, which accommodate up to six passengers per vehicle, and do not guarantee a window seat throughout the experience. Please note, our guides always encourage seat rotation so everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a different window view during the tour.

Will I see sets from Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit?

No. As part of gaining permission to film in the spectacular locations, the producers were required to dismantle all sets except for Hobbiton.

We specialise in showing you where specific scenes were filmed. Many of the movie locations are recognisable on our trips and your guide will give you insights into the stories behind them.

How long is the trip?

9.5 hours (1 hour for lunch in Queenstown).

Where will you pick up and drop off?

We will pick you up and drop you at any central accommodation or information centres.

Where will we have lunch?

A local café – Balls and Bangles ($20 voucher), 62 Shotover St

Is any walking involved?

Our Glenorchy trips include an easy 15 minute (return) nature walk to a LOTR scene over a formed trail. Clients have the option of staying in or near the vehicle if they wish at any of the stops on any of our tours.

What type of vehicles do you use?

6 seater 4WD Land Rover or Land Cruiser.

What are your child rates/ Child ages?

We do have child rates available. Infants (0-3 years) travel for free and children (4-14 years) travel at a discounted price.

Important Information: Tour Itinerary Adjustments

Your safety is our top priority. In certain situations, it may be necessary to alter the tour itinerary due to conditions beyond our control, such as high water levels or adverse road conditions. This could mean we are unable to cross rivers or drive certain roads or drive the full length of roads like Skippers Canyon. 

When booking, please understand that these adjustments may be required. 

IMPORTANT Every adventure has risks — from changing weather to rough trails and physical challenges. Before you book, please review our full Weather Cancellation Policy and Disclosure of Risks.

Discover Queenstown with Nomad Safaris. Explore our full range of adventure tours at www.nomadsafaris.co.nz