Lord of the Rings 15 Day

Day 1: Arrive Auckland

Kia Ora and welcome to New Zealand.  On arrival at Auckland International Airport, collect your Budget Rental Car and drive from the airport to your central city hotel. 

AUCKLAND - an exciting, sporting and cultural city, sprawled on a narrow isthmus, between two harbours. The Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, are a main feature of the city, along with numerous volcanic cones such as Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. The city's many beaches, marinas and parks, make it ideal for outdoor pursuits such as yachting, rugby, cricket or a day at the beach.  The Auckland metropolitan area is New Zealand's biggest city, and the population mix of European, Maori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World. 

Tourist Accommodation: The Quadrant, One Bedroom Apartment, 1 night
Deluxe Accommodation: Heritage Auckland, Superior room, 1 night

Day 2: Auckland/Rotorua

Depart Auckland and travel south over the Bombay Hills, through the Hauraki Plains to Matamata – “Hobbiton”.

The only access to Hobbiton is by guided tour (not included) and must be booked at the Matamata Visitor Centre.  A 2 hour guided excursion into Middle Earth explains how a local sheep farm was transformed into the Shire.

As you walk around Hobbiton you will see how the set was created, with photo boards showing how the area looked during filming.  The tour culminates with a walk up Bagshot Row to Bag End, to stand outside the most famous hobbit hole in Middle Earth.

On leaving Matamata you continue south to the geothermal city of Rotorua.

This evening you may like to experience a traditional Maori Hangi and Concert – not included.

Tourist Accommodation: Ibis Rotorua, Standard Room, 1 night
Deluxe Accommodation: Novotel Rotorua Lakeside, Standard Room 1 night

Day 3: Rotorua/Tongariro

This morning you may like to visit some of the many attractions Rotorua has to offer, perhaps visit Rainbow & Fairy Springs, the Agrodome or Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. This afternoon depart Rotorua and drive via Lake Taupo to the Tongariro National Park.

Tourist Accommodation: Skotel Alpine Resort, Superior room x 2 nights
Deluxe Accommodation: Chateau Tongariro, Standard room x 2 nights

Day 4: Tongariro

Mount Ruapehu (2796m) is the highest peak in the North Island, you can spend today exploring this rugged, desolate area which was the location for “Mordor”.  Drive 15 minutes up the mountain road to Iwikau Village, you will need good walking shoes as you walk across the volcanic rock.  Although the set has been removed you require only a little imagination to envisage Mordor.  The nearby slopes and car park saw Orcs attacking Elves and Men, with Elrond standing fast.

If time permits drive from the Chateau to nearby Ohakune and up the Turoa Ski field road to the site of Ithilien.

Tourist Accommodation: Skotel Alpine Resort, Superior room
Deluxe Accommodation: Chateau Tongariro, Standard room

Day 5: Tongariro/Wellington

Depart Tongariro National Park and travel back to State Highway 1. Continue south across the Desert Road, through Waiouru to the small rural town of Taihape.  Just south of Taihape – 15 minutes from the main highway you can see one of the locations used to film the River Anduin in the Fellowship of the Ring.

Continue on State Highway 1 through the Manawatu farming region to Foxton on the west coast, just south of Foxton is the seaside settlement of Waitarere. The Waitarere Forest saw the filming of Osgiliath Wood and Trollshaw Forest scenes. It is possible to enjoy a walk amongst this forest.

From Waitarere continue down the coast to Wellington – New Zealand’s capital city.

Tourist Accommodation: Ibis Wellington, Standard room x 2 nights
Deluxe Accommodation: Intercontinental Wellington, Classic  room x 2 nights

Day 6: Wellington

Wellington is home to ‘Middle Earth’,  being Peter Jackson’s home town, and the home of ‘Weta Workshop’. Wellington was the hub for many locations within ‘The Lord of the Rings Trilogy’.

If you drive 1 hour north of Wellington to Otaki, you can experience the scenery used during the Hobbit’s journey to the border of their Shire, through peaceful gardens and farms.  (The specific locations used in the filming are not accessible to the public).

On your journey back into Wellington you may like to stop in Paraparaumu at Queen Elizabeth Park, although there are no imminent signs of filming, this is where the close up shots for the Battle of the Pelennor Fields were filmed in particular the downing of Nazgûl and Mûmakil.  The wide shots for this battle were filmed near Twizel in the South Island.

Once back in Wellington if time permits you may like to visit Mt Victoria and Lyall Bay, they were also the site for various film locations. You may also like to visit the Embassy Theatre, the scene for the World Premiere of ‘The Return of the King’.

Tourist Accommodation: Ibis Wellington, Standard room 
Deluxe Accommodation: Intercontinental Wellington, Classic  room

Day 7: Wellington/Picton/Nelson

This morning you will need to drop your rental car off at the Interisland Ferry terminal in time to board the ferry across Crook Strait to Picton.  On arrival in Picton collect your rental car and travel to Nelson.

The design for the One Ring was made by Jens Hansen Gold and Silversmith in central Nelson, one of the original rings is on display and they will make copies of the One Ring in both 9 and 18 ct gold.

Tourist Accommodation: Go Kiwi Silver – Arthur Wakefield Motor Inn, 2 nights
Deluxe Accommodation: Rutherford Nelson, Executive room, 2 nights

Day 8: Nelson

Full day today as you explore the Abel Tasman & Kahurangi National Parks.  Drive from Nelson to Kaiteriteri and just past the summit of Takaka Hill, you will leave the main road and travel past ghostly trees and weather worn marble where you will see where Aragorn led the Hobbits into the wilds after leaving Bree.  It was also the location of another scene showing the Hobbits leaving the Shire.

Continue on along the coast to the Kahurangi National Park, New Zealand’s newest National Park offering views of spectacular landscapes.  Mt Olympus and Mt Owen are both located within the park and were the locations for ‘south of Rivendell and Dimrill Dale, both sites were so isolated that they were only accessible by helicopter.  A local helicopter operator offers scenic flights over the Chetwood Forest, Mt Olympus and Mt Owen.  The Remarkables Range, outside of Queenstown was also used to film Dimrill Dale.

After a full day exploring make your way back to your accommodation in Nelson.

Tourist Accommodation: Go Kiwi Silver – Arthur Wakefield Motor Inn
Deluxe Accommodation: Rutherford Nelson, Executive room

Day 9: Nelson/Franz Josef Glacier

Depart Nelson and drive inland along State Highway 6 via Murchison to the west coast town of Greymouth.  Continue down the spectacular coastal road to Franz Josef Glacier.

If you drive up the access road you will come to the base of the glacier with views of Mt Gunn where ‘the lighting of the beacons’ took place.

A local helicopter operator offers a scenic flight over the exact location

Tourist Accommodation: Punga Grove, One Bedroom Unit, 1 night
Deluxe Accommodation: Scenic Circle Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Douglas Wing, 1 night

Day 10: Franz Josef/Wanaka

Enjoy the coastal views as you continue down the coast to Haast, before heading inland across the remote Haast Pass to Wanaka.

Tourist Accommodation: Grand Mercure Oakridge Resort, Standard room, 1 night
Deluxe Accommodation: Edgewater Resort, One Bedroom Suite, 1 night

Day 11: Wanaka/Queenstown

Depart Wanaka and travel via the winding Crown Range road to Queenstown.  Near the summit there is an opportunity to stop and enjoy the view.  You will look down on the River Anduin, the Pillars of the Argonath and straight ahead you will see Dimrill Dale.  Continuing on the Crown Range there are more opportunities to see locations used in the Trilogy and once down into the valley you can take a short diversion to the River Anduin.  For the more adventurous, experience a bungy jump over the River Anduin.

Continue to Arrowtown and take a short walk to see the Ford of Bruinen, before continuing to Queenstown.

Tourist Accommodation: Mercure Queenstown Resort, Pool view room, 3 nights
Deluxe Accommodation: Heritage Queenstown, Deluxe room, 3 nights

Day 12: Queenstown/Glenorchy/Queenstown

Today you will experience some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand as you travel from Queenstown along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy.  

First stop is at Closeburn Bay, while the actual location of Amon Hen is not accessible, but if you look towards the peninsula on your left, the filming was set amongst the pine trees.

Further up the lake is Twelve Mile Delta, if you take a walk here you will see the areas used to portray Ithilien. This is where Sam saw his Oliphants and also where Frodo, Sam and Sméagol watched the battle between the men of Harad and the Rangers of Gondor.

Leaving Twelve Mile Delta, continue onto the village of Glenorchy and then along the road to Paradise.  Along this road you will see the location where Gandalf rode up to Isengard and further along the road the edge of the forest was used to portray the Fellowship entering Lothlórien.

It is possible to take a 4WD, Guided Walk & Jet boat trip from Glenorchy further into this picturesque area with a dedicated guide, to explore Isengard, Lothlórien and Amon Hen.

Return to your accommodation in Queenstown.

Tourist Accommodation: Mercure Queenstown Resort, Pool view room
Deluxe Accommodation: Heritage Queenstown, Deluxe room 

Day 13: Queenstown

Today visit Deer Park Heights a short distance from Queenstown.  Deer Park Heights is a conical barren hill with panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu.  This location was used in all three films and features several locations all sign posted.

After visiting Deer Park Heights you can take a drive to the top of the Remarkables Ski Field and a 20 minute energetic hike up the hill to the other location for Dimrill Dale  This is where Aragorn leads the fellowship down the steep slopes of Dimrill Dale towards Lothlórien. A less strenuous alternative is a scenic helicopter flight, available from Queenstown.

Return to your Queenstown accommodation

Tourist Accommodation: Mercure Queenstown Resort, Pool view room
Deluxe Accommodation: Heritage Queenstown, Deluxe room

Day 14: Queenstown/Christchurch

Full drive today as you depart Queenstown and travel to Cromwell and across the Lindis Pass to the MacKenzie Country.  The MacKenzie Country is a barren, tussock covered region which provided the location for the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.  While filming took place on private land, you can take a tour with an experienced guide from the local information center in Twizel.

Weather permitting as you drive from Twizel to Lake Tekapo, you will enjoy views of Mt Cook (New Zealand Highest Peak).  Continue your drive from Tekapo across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Tourist Accommodation: Ibis Christchurch, Standard room, 1 night
Deluxe Accommodation: Heritage Christchurch, Deluxe room, 1 night

Day 15: Depart Christchurch

Depending on your departure flight, you may have the opportunity to explore Christchurch, before returning your rental car to Christchurch airport.

1 pax = Single Room
2 pax = Share Twin/Double
3 pax = Share Triple

 Travel is to be completed within the season.  Any travel that falls over both seasons will be priced on application.

All packages travelling in September and October during the Rugby World Cup will be quoted on application.

Costs include

• Accommodation in hotels as specified, share twin subject to availability.
• Goods & Services Tax 15%
• Budget rental car throughout (Tourist – CDAR / Deluxe - FDAR) – please refer to our on line tariff for terms and conditions of rental
• Basic vehicle insurance (subject to insurance excess)
• Dart River Safari
• Interislander Ferry

Costs exclude

• Airfares National or International
• Airport Tax
• Personal expenses & tips
• Drinks during meals (except water/tea/coffee)
• Any items of personal nature
• Fuel for car
• Additional rental car charges
• Insurance excess
• Special Event / Holiday surcharges

Subject to

• Subject to surcharges beyond our control
• Minimum of 2 passengers travelling
• Accommodation subject to availability
• Supplier surcharges as per our tariff
• Special Event / Holiday surcharges
• Increase in GST, currently 15%