Wellington: Lord of the Rings Filming Locations Tour
ID: GYG711286-1161746
Category:
Country: New Zealand
Duration:
07:00 hours
Description
Embark on an epic journey through Middle-earth on a tour of the Lord of the Rings filming locations in Wellington. Visit the filming sites of Helm’s Deep, Minas Tirith, and the Gardens of Isengard.
Embark on an epic journey through Middle-earth in Wellington. Visit four of the key Lord of the Rings filming locations in the Hutt Valley, go to Weta Workshop in Mirimar, and end the tour at the Weta Cave where you can purchase souvenirs and pose for photos with some of the Weta characters and props.
From your hotel or i-Site pickup, make your way to the Hutt Valley. The first stop is the Dry Creek Quarry where you see the filming site of Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith.
A short drive will see you stop at the River Anduin (Hutt River) where the Fellowship traveled to Amon Hen. Then it is on to the site of Gardens of Isengard Harcourt Park, where Gandalf met Saruman the White to discuss the Ring, and it is also where Saruman’s Orc army destroyed the gardens.
Next, stop at Rivendell (Kaitoke Regional Park), the home of the Elves. Enjoy a walk through Rivendell and see the nearby river used for the scene where Éomer recovers the dying Théodred, son of King Théoden. More adventurous travelers may also cross the swing bridge over the Hutt River.
Now, head to the Weta Workshop in Miramar. Here, enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour (entry included in your tour price) where you will see how props and weaponry are made and possibly meet artists at work making props.
At the Weta Cave, you will be given the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and have photos with Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai, Bilbo’s three Trolls, and characters from other movies that Weta has been involved in.
Your guide will discuss with you any lunch preference, Café, takeaway, pub (all depending on time). After lunch, head to Mount Victoria to the Hobbiton Woods where the filming of the epic trilogy began.
This is the home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam and Frodo’s Second Breakfast; the location where the Hobbits hid from the Black Rider (“Get off the Road!”); the Race to the Buckleberry Ferry scene; and King Théoden’s Dunharrow Encampment.
A little further on is the Mount Victoria Lookout and here you will see spectacular views of Wellington’s city and harbor. Have your cameras ready. The tour concludes with a drive past the Embassy Picture Theatre, the home of two Premieres “Return of the King” and the first Hobbit movie “The Unexpected Journey”.
Highlights
- Experience the magic of Middle Earth on a tour of the Lord of the Rings sites
- Visit filming sites of Helm’s Deep, Minas Tirith, and the Gardens of Isengard
- See the filming locations of Rivendell, the Hobbiton Woods, and the Anduin River
- Go to Weta Workshop in Mirimar and do a behind-the-scenes tour of the Workshop
- Enjoy panoramic views of Wellington from the Mount Victoria lookout
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Tour format may alter based on Weta Workshop Tour availability
Some parts of the tour have limited wheelchair accessibility
Weta Workshop may change details without notice
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.