Top South Island Pop Culture

Travel from Queenstown to the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Milford Sound on an easy day trip. Enjoy live commentary along the way, and many scenic photo stops. At Milford Sound, don’t worry about waiting in lines as tickets are included. Admire views of waterfalls and Mitre Peak from your cruise. Refuel with a tasty picnic lunch in a scenic location. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from listed locations for added convenience.

Like most New Zealand cities, Dunedin has a colonial history filled with exchanges between the Māori people and Western settlers. Discover dark tales of murder and shipwrecks, as well as stories of the influential people who shaped the city’s culture on this half-day small-group tour of several of Dunedin’s most popular tourist spots, including Larnach Castle and gardens.

Enjoy an off-road adventure in the wild of New Zealand while visiting filming locations from the Lord of the Rings trilogy on this half-day excursion from Queenstown. Take in beautiful scenery while you see visit key spots used as the Misty Mountains, Minas Tirith, and the Pillars of the Kings, and stop to pan for gold on the Arrow River.

Fans of the Lord of the Rings movies won’t want to miss this fun half-day tour to various filming locations in the Southern Alps. You’ll enjoy exclusive access to private Arcadia Station and will also visit the beautiful Mt. Aspiring National Park. Be amazed by the natural beauty while reliving your favorite movie scenes. Don an LOTR costume and sword too, if you like.

Enjoy uninterrupted views of the mountain scenery without having to self-drive to Milford Sound from Queenstown in a glass-roofed coach. Your driver will provide commentary along the way, to keep you informed. At Milford Sound, embark on a cruise on the water, all the way out to the Tasman Sea. Relax and take in the views as you enjoy lunch on board, too.

Visit Edoras of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ fame on this full-day excursion by 4WD vehicle to the peak of New Zealand’s Mt Sunday. Get a look at exclusive photos of Edoras under construction and learn from a knowledgeable LOTR guide about its transformation from tranquil countryside to mythical capital city of the Rohan people. Pose with replica props from the popular trilogy, such as Aragorn’s sword, Gimli’s axe and the flag of Rohan. Includes round-trip hotel transport from Christchurch plus a picnic lunch with sparkling wine.

Experience Milford Sound’s towering peaks and gushing waterfalls on a small-group tour from Queenstown. After a handy hotel pickup, travel through Fiordland National Park without the hassle of self-driving through the distractingly beautiful landscape. Stop to take pictures or go for optional walks en route. Relax on a 1-hour 45-minute cruise on Milford Sound with provided hot drinks, and refuel with the included picnic lunch.

Glenorchy sits at the northern tip of Lake Whakatipu, along a stunningly beautiful stretch of road that runs from Queenstown to the (aptly-named) rural farm of Paradise further north. Instead of trying to negotiate these unfamiliar, sometimes dangerous country roads on your own, get a driver who knows the region on a half-day trip. Spend time exploring Glenorchy’s waterfront, and take advantage of some remarkable alpine photo ops.

Visit "The Lord of the Rings" filming locations in and around Glenorchy, traveling by 4WD from Queenstown with a guide. This half-day tour includes stunning landscapes chosen by director Peter Jackson. See where famous scenes were filmed, the landscapes representing the Fortress of Isengard, Lothlórien, Ithilien Camp, and Forest of Amon Hen.

Hit the adventurous activities you’re hoping to tick off and leave the children safely in the care of Kidz Club Queenstown. With the little ones booked into Kidz Club Queenstown, relax in the knowledge they’re having just as much fun as you! Perfect for kids aged four to 13, the club’s fun-filled program includes minigolf, 12-dimension motion rides, a racing simulator, indoor games, and more. With enthusiastic and friendly staff ensuring your kids are kept busy, you’re free to enjoy Queenstown at your own pace.

*Lord of the Rings* fans will feel like they're on Middle Earth during this air tour. Fly above beautiful Queenstown, and see the spots filmed for the fictional places of Isengard, Amon Hen, Lothlorien; then land on a glacier alongside the Misty Mountains and get a sense of what it might be like to cross The Redhorn Pass.

Go off-roading near Queenstown on a thrilling choose-your-own-adventure 4WD tour. Choose from four tour options to fit your interests: Whakatipu highlights for scenery and optional ‘The Lord of the Rings’ stops; Skippers Canyon to explore long-forgotten trails past former gold rush settlements; a Māori mythology and legends tour; or a scenic Glenorchy and Lake Whakatipu tour.

Discover the magic of Middle-earth on this immersive half-day tour from Queenstown to the breathtaking landscapes of Glenorchy and Paradise. Visit iconic filming locations like Ithilien, Isengard, and Lothlórien while enjoying exclusive access to original scripts and production materials that enrich the experience. Handle licensed replica props, capture cinematic photos, and unwind with a beverage in an alpine setting. This tour, led by knowledgeable guides, is perfect for fans seeking an engaging and detailed exploration of the Lord of the Rings universe. - Immerse yourself in Middle Earth with a guided tour from Queenstown - Visit legendary LOTR filming locations in Glenorchy and Paradise - Enjoy small group sizes for a more personalized experience - Capture unique photos with the largest collection of licensed LOTR props

Otepoti/Dunedin was settled by Free Church Presbyterians in 1848. They worked hard and went to church on Sunday. The gold rush in 1861 brought with it a completely different population to the one first envisioned - a much more lively and less law abiding one. Your guide, Gregor Campbell has spent years curating true stories of crime and murder from Dunedin's grim past. He tells the tales expertly with poise and dignity as he drives around the seemingly harmless areas of Dunedin that, over a hundred years ago were more sordid and despairing. Relax back in a brand new Toyota Hiace minibus while Gregor brings our city back to life.... if only temporarily.

Fans of The Lord of the Rings–or anyone who likes spectacular scenery–will enjoy this 2.5 hour helicopter tour of the Kahurangi National Park from Nelson. Fly above the mountains of the park, communicating with your pilot via a two-way headset during the flight. Stop at two LOTR filming locations, where you can enjoy the views and learn more about the geology and biodiversity of this special area.

Included in this adventure: • Approximately 40 minutes flight time exploring the Kahurangi National Park • Two-way communication between you and your pilot • 1 x Mountain landing SIGHTS: • Official Lord of the Rings film location! • Unique land forms, habitats, plant communities and wildlife • Native bush • Breathtaking mountain landscapes

Step into Middle-earth on a private full-day tour from Queenstown, exploring landscapes from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Travel along Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy, a stunning village framed by the Southern Alps, known for filming Isengard and Lothlórien. Continue to Paradise Valley with its forests, braided rivers, and snow-capped peaks, spotting locations from LOTR, The Hobbit, and Narnia. Visit Twelve Mile Delta, where Frodo and Sam watched the Oliphaunts, and Arrowtown, a historic gold-rush village that doubled as Rohan. Conclude at Lake Hayes Lookout, with tranquil waters reflecting dramatic mountains. Fully customizable, this private tour blends cinematic magic and breathtaking scenery for movie lovers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts alike.

Included in this adventure • Approximately 60 minutes flight time exploring the Kahurangi National Park • Two-way communication between you and your pilot • 1 x Mountain landing SIGHTS: • Lord of the Rings film location! • Unique land forms, habitats, plant communities and wildlife • Native bush • Breathtaking mountain landscapes