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Half Day in Middle Earth - Lord of the Rings Tour

Offered by Trails of Middle Earth - Lord of the Rings Sightseeing Tours

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$199.00 per person

5.0 (297 reviews)

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Booking handled by our partner, Viator

4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Mobile or paper ticket accepted Offered in: English

Half-day Lord of the Rings tour from Queenstown visiting Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley, with film locations, replica props, tea and snacks.

Tour Overview

Travel through Queenstown’s filming country on a half day Lord of the Rings tour led by guides with detailed knowledge of the films and their production. The journey includes Skippers Canyon Lookout, weather permitting, where you can look out over New Zealand’s “Most Dangerous Road” and a filming area further within the canyon. At the nearby Coronet Viewpoint, the views open across the Wakatipu Basin.

In Arrowtown, a village shaped by gold rush history and recognised as New Zealand’s Most Beautiful Small Town in 2020 and 2023, you explore two Lord of the Rings filming locations a short walk from town. Morning or afternoon tea and snacks are included here, adding a relaxed stop within the tour.

The route also takes in Gibbston Valley, Central Otago’s premier wine region, where you visit another filming location and hear about both the production and the area’s winegrowing history. At the Historic Kawarau Bridge, you can watch jumpers leap from the world’s first commercial bungee site.

At Lake Hayes, with mountain views all around, there is time to use authentic licensed replica props, including swords, daggers, axes and helmets. The tour also features original scripts and production call sheets, plus visits connected with The Ford of Bruinen, The Gladden Fields and The Pillars of the Kings.

What's Included

  • Morning/Afternoon Tea from the local Arrowtown Bakery
  • 1 % of all proceeds go to the Love Queenstown Community Fund preserving our breathtaking landscapes.
  • Photos with Authentic Props - We have the largest selection of Authentic Licensed replica props!
  • We also have copies of the original scripts and production call sheets

Not Included:

  • For children under 7 please bring child seat or message us to arrange one at an additional charge

What To Expect

  1. 1

    Skippers Canyon

    We head to the Skippers Canyon Lookout to view New Zealand's "Most Dangerous Road". Not only a spectacular view but also a Lord of the Rings Filming location located further within the Canyon. We stop afterwards at the nearby Coronet Viewpoint to taking in the surrounding views of the Wakatipu Basin and navigate our journeys plan from a birds eye perspective. (These stops are weather permitting)

    20 minutes

  2. 2

    Arrowtown

    Awarded New Zealand's 'Most Beautiful Small Town' award in 2020 and 2023. We learn about the gold rush history of this rustic yet charming village the seems to appear right out of the 1800's. We explore 2 Lord of the Rings filming locations a short walk from town, followed by morning or afternoon tea in this quaint village.

    1 hour

  3. 3

    Gibbston

    Central Otago's Premier Wine Region. Here we visit an epic Lord of the Rings filming location learning stories of the production along with the winegrowing history. Here we also witness dare devils jumping from the world's first commercial bungee jump from the Historic Kawarau Bridge.

    15 minutes

  4. 4

    Lake Hayes

    We head to this picturesque serene lake, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains right out of Middle Earth. We spend some time here soaking in the serenity and playing with our Authentic Replica Props. Dress up as you favourite LOTR characters and weild lifelike swords, daggers, axes and helmets from your favourite fantasy trilogy!

    25 minutes

  5. 5

    Lake Wakatipu Viewpoint

    We head to the breathtaking Wakatipu Lookout where beneath the towering Remarkables Mountains we have one last look upon this spectacular landscape that inspired the filming of the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. We point out several filming locations and take photo's from the locals best kept secret lookout, towering over the resort town of Queenstown.

    10 minutes

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

43 Camp Street

43 Camp Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

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In front of the station building on the corner of Camp St and Shotover St. There are wooden benches for waiting right where the buses pull up.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Additional Info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Travel time between locations was included on the total tour duration.
  • Children 6 years and under require a child seat by NZ law. Please let us know if you have your own or would like to rent one from us (fees apply).
  • Children under 5 years not permitted. Please book a private tour for Families with Children under 5.
  • Not recommended for travelers who cannot walk more than 10mins on uneven ground. There is 1 walk where people unable to walk may have to wait for up to 20 mins.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.