Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Wellington, New Zealand
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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Overview
Get a behind-the-scenes look at several “The Lord of the Rings” locations around Wellington that will delight fans of the movies or books. See where scenes were filmed, take a forest walk through Tolkien’s Rivendell, and step into Weta Workshop for a movie production tour of digital special effects. Your guide shares insider gossip on how the movies were made and takes you to lunch.
- Avoid the struggle to find filming sites independently by going with a guide
- Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Weta Workshop
- Includes transfers from central Wellington and the cruise terminal
- Ideal for travelers short on time, especially if they're movie fans
What's Included
- Pick up and drop off available direct from cruise ships - we've never missed a drop off
- Owned and operated by genuine fans, several of whom worked on the films
- Weta Workshop tour and a lunch feast fit for a Hobbit included in tour price
- Bonus native forest walk in a 1000-year-old temperate rainforest
- Expert guides with film industry experience
- Guaranteed drop off back to Cruise Ship on time. We haven't missed a drop off in 15 years
- Central Wellington pick up
- Visit the best LOTR filming locations - Please note that no sets remain from the filming
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Be aware that pick up may be arranged up to 15mins before or after the scheduled departure time. This will be communicated to you 24-48 hours before your tour. For anyone arriving by cruise ship, we can pick-up and drop-off directly from the port. Please select Cruise Ship Port when booking and advise your ship name. Please be ready at the main entrance of your hotel unless otherwise informed - some hotel pick ups will involve meeting a few meters away so we can stop safely. Please note that we can't pick up from every hotel or AirBnBs around the suburbs. If your hotel is not listed, enter your own pick up location and we will contact you to advise the best place to meet. If you are staying outside Wellington City and plan to drive into town, we recommend parking on Barnett Street next to Te Papa Museum.
Itinerary
Start your full-day tour of "The Lord of the Rings" filming locations with hotel or port pickup in Wellington. You'll start by visiting the Weta Cave in the Weta Workshop to get an inside peek at the making of "The Lord of the Rings." Watch a short documentary describing the studio's history and other films they have worked on. Get the chance to dress up and pose for photos, LOTR style.
Continue on to Mt. Victoria and the Greenbelt before a stroll through the Outer Shire, site of the Black Rider movie scenes and many more. Your guide is well-versed in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and shares insider knowledge about the Wellington movie industry. Refuel with a tasty café lunch at the Aston Norwood Gardens.
In the afternoon, learn why New Zealand is the ideal place to create movie sets as you explore more locations. See the Great River Anduin on a visit to the Hutt Valley with stops including the Hutt River, and view the Gardens of Isengard—aka Harcourt Park—where the Orcs filled the trees.
Imagine the Elves living in the 1,000-year-old native rainforest of Kaitoke Regional Park, the setting for Rivendell. Then see the location where Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith were filmed, before concluding your full-day tour with drop-off at your Wellington hotel or your ship.
Continue on to Mt. Victoria and the Greenbelt before a stroll through the Outer Shire, site of the Black Rider movie scenes and many more. Your guide is well-versed in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and shares insider knowledge about the Wellington movie industry. Refuel with a tasty café lunch at the Aston Norwood Gardens.
In the afternoon, learn why New Zealand is the ideal place to create movie sets as you explore more locations. See the Great River Anduin on a visit to the Hutt Valley with stops including the Hutt River, and view the Gardens of Isengard—aka Harcourt Park—where the Orcs filled the trees.
Imagine the Elves living in the 1,000-year-old native rainforest of Kaitoke Regional Park, the setting for Rivendell. Then see the location where Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith were filmed, before concluding your full-day tour with drop-off at your Wellington hotel or your ship.
1
Weta Workshop Experiences
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Mount Victoria Lookout
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Embassy Theatre (Pass By)
3
Mount Victoria
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
4
Aston Norwood Gardens
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
5
Poet's Park
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Harcourt Park Disc Golf Course
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Kaitoke Regional Park
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Not recommended for participants with walkers or limited mobility
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Toni_D
This tour was awesome.
Firstly Ben was the travel guide. I was collected from Hakka House. Chewy was early. As a solo traveller this was great I didn't have to wait around.
You do not to be a LOTR fan to enjoy this tour. This tour takes you to some seriously beautiful places in Wellington. The LOTR facts and fun was just an added bonus.
Ben was really energetic. His jokes were funny, even at the end of the day. His passion was there, not only for LOTR but Wellington in general.
The Weta was great, not the same experience as the Auckland one. Totally worth doing both. The tour guide in the Cave was lush as well.
Ben had brought snacks and drinks (including gluten free) to get us through until lunchtime.
The food was yummy. It was a buffet roast dinner with drinks hot and cold. There was cold pasta salad on the table and a dessert.
Ben sat with us and I heard him chatting away to everyone which was also lovely.
The props that Ben brings - use them. Get involved. It's sooo much fun. I'm so glad I did.
Everyone on the bus was super friendly. I can't tell you that will be the same all the time, but don't be afraid to be solo.
Thank you so much for such a memorable time and a beautiful tour of Wellington.
❤️❤️❤️
Reviews
4.8
based on 598 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Henry_H, Aug 2026
If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan and coming to NZ, I would go to Wellington just to do this!! The weta workshop was amazing and then visiting all of the locations around Wellington where LOTR was shot was breathtaking. Our guide Sarah was so knowledgeable of not just LOTR but also Wellington and all of the surrounding areas. She brought props for photo opportunities at filming locations as well as snacks and drinks for everyone along the way. Truely an unforgettable experience and I can’t recommend this enough.
Jacqueline_T, Jul 2026
Such a fun day out!! Our guide (Natalie(?) was incredibly knowledgeable and fantastic at getting loads of photos to capture the day- super helpful for solo travellers such as myself!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
It was Natalie that took you out. She is such a delight to be around isn't she ;) Thanks for the feedback.
Craig_C, Jul 2026
We're big LotR fans, but it's worth mentioning there were people on this trip who'd never seen the movies or read the books (not sure how that's possible, but it happened), who also had a great time on this movie. "Frenchie", our guide, was an extra on the film, playing "around twenty elves, and a black rider in one scene", to hear him tell it, and the behind-the-scenes stories and lore alone were worth the price of the tour. Add to that the official locations, and the tour and history of Weta, and it was a day to remember.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We designed the tour to satisfy any LOTR fan but keeping in mind we still get a lot of people who haven't seen the movies or just bits of them so the tour is packed with lots of stories and scenery that are interesting for anyone. Thanks for the feedback.
Felicia_C, Jul 2026
This tour was simply phenomenal! Talk about hitting all of the most important parts of Wellington in a day! We visited so many film sites and learned so many cool Lord of the Rings facts that we had never heard of despite being die hard Lord of the Rings fans. The tour guide also provided costumes and props to make our experience extra fun. WETA workshop was a beauty in and of itself. You cannot take photos on the first half of the tour, but Saurons armor was probably the most incredible work of art I’ve seen and I was so happy to view it up close and take in every detail. The lunch that we stopped at was also spectacular and was off of a very cute Lord of the Rings menu. It was one of the best dining places we’ve done in New Zealand so far. The Legolas Lembas Bread option was particularly a favorite among my family.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
I have spent 20 years refining this tour ;) Glad it meet your expectations. As many of us worked on the films we have stories and information that you just can't find anywhere else. LOTR is such a great vehicle to show off the beautiful region we live in. We try to make the included lunch a feature as a fellowship needs its fuel when adventuring. Thanks for the feedback.
Hannah_D, Jun 2026
The tour was so worth it. Wellington’s weather was not playing nicely, but Marc was an exceptional tour guide who shared interesting stories and experiences while showing us film locations. It is a tour I would happily do again!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
The record is coming back to do the tour 3 times!!! Marc knows his stuff and is a great host. Thanks for the feedback.
LeneChristine_W, Jun 2026
Marc was amazing. Very knowledgeable, funny and a great guide to spend the day with. Our son simply loves Marc, and even though we have been travelling for over six months, been on over 150 tours, Marc is in his top three.... Thank you, Marc, for an amazing day
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We're thrilled to hear that you and your family had such a great day in our tour.
Knowing that Marc ranks among your top guides after more than 150 tours, is truly humbling.
We are lucky to have a lot of amazing guides.
We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to Marc. Thank you for choosing to explore Middle-earth with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Wellington for another adventure someday!
Ngā mihi,
The Wellington Rings Tours Team
Philip_L, May 2026
Unmissable for any LOTR fan!!! Robbie is one of the best storytellers that I have ever met - his extensive participation as an extra in the LOTR trilogy made him an absolute insider…
Do not hesitate to book this tour! The connection that you’ll experience to actual filming locations (where your imagination takes over and transports you back to the movies) is astounding!!
Highly, highly recommended - the 8 hours passed by in the blink of an eye.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you Philip so much for your fantastic review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day exploring Middle-earth with Robbie. His firsthand experience on the films and passion for storytelling truly make the locations come alive.
It's wonderful to know that the tour helped transport you back into the world of The Lord of the Rings.
Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back to Wellington one day.
Ngā mihi,
The Wellington Rings Tours Team
Brody_P, May 2026
Jacks enthusiasm and knowledge really made this tour special! Thanks so much for taking me around Wellington and sharing all the info on the LotR sights. I would recommend this tour to anyone, was a lot of fun!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you Brody for your kind review!
We're thrilled to hear you had such a great time with Jack. His passion for The Lord of the Rings and wealth of knowledge help bring the stories and filming locations to life, making every tour a unique experience.
Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to see you back in Middle-earth again someday!
Ngā mihi,
The Wellington Rings Tours Team
Jennifer_W, May 2026
Hamish was a wonderful tour guide! He was funny and friendly and made the day excellent. Would definitely recommend to our friends.!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you Jennifer for your lovely review!
We're so pleased to hear you had an excellent day with Hamish. His friendly nature, sense of humor, and passion for sharing the magic of Middle-earth make him a fantastic guide.
Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you and your friends back for another adventure in the future!
Ngā mihi,
The Wellington Rings Tours Team
Kate_H, May 2026
Excellent tour! Grant was so knowledgable and enthusiastic about all things Lord of the Rings and Tolkien, but he also shared so much about Wellington too! We had a fabulous time.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We're delighted to hear you had such a fabulous time with Grant.
His enthusiasm for Tolkien's world, combined with his local knowledge of Wellington, helps make every tour a unique experience.
We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back to Middle-earth again soon!
Ngā mihi,
The Wellington Rings Tours Team
Samantha_A, May 2026
Brilliant tour! Hamish was super knowledgeable and went above and beyond. So great to see some of the Lord of the Rings locations.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We're delighted to hear you had a brilliant day with Hamish.
His knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication to creating a memorable experience are what make our tours so special
Thank you for joining us on your Middle-earth adventure, and we're glad you enjoyed visiting some of the iconic Lord of the Rings filming locations with us..
Ngā mihi,
The Wellington Rings Tours Team
Jennifer_B, Apr 2026
This was a great tour and an awesome way to spend the day! The tour guide was naturally extremely knowledgeable about LOTR but also about New Zealand in general - highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you Jennifer for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear you had such a great day exploring Middle-earth with us.
Our guides love sharing not only their knowledge of The Lord of the Rings, but also the history, culture, and unique character of Wellington and New Zealand.
Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
Ngā mihi,
The Wellington Rings Tours Team
Rachel_C, Apr 2026
Fantastic day out seeing so many filming locations and hearing stories, would highly recommend for any LOTR fans! Dixie was an amazing guide
Response from Host, Apr 2026
The team bring their passion for
film to every tour. We have so much information to share we can't get it all out in a day!!! Thanks for the feedback.
Sara_M, Apr 2026
A reminder that this tour takes you to film locations, but all film sets have been removed, so you really have to use your imagination.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Yes like every natural location in NZ that was a LOTR site(except Hobbiton) they have been returned to how they were. We are very lucky to have got permission to rebuild the gateway tower in Rivendell as the only other structure in NZ. That is why we have expert guides so they can bring it all back to life. Thanks for the feedback.
Graham_C, Apr 2026
An exceptional tour of so many LOTR filming locations around Wellington with a full lunch and visit to Weta Cave. Hamish was a wonderful guide, highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The photos of the locations were an additional benefit helping frame everything.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We have a lot of LOTR history here in Wellington and it is great to have our expert guides to show it all off. Thanks for the review.
Daniel_J, Apr 2026
Must do when you are Lord of the Rings fan. Great filming locations and visiting Weta was also awesome.
Dixie as a guide made the day really fun and she got deep knowledge of the movies.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We have been Wellington LOTR experts for 20 years and our in-depth knowledge and Wellington and it film history always makes for an entertaining day. Thanks for the feedback.
Tasha_L, Apr 2026
LOTR wellington was phenomenal. Our guide was so knowledgeable and kind. He was very informative and made the experience extra special.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Our specialist guide/hosts are what makes us great. Thanks for the feedback.
Maria_B, Apr 2026
This was an incredible experience! I loved that this all day tour included constant fun facts and information not just about Lord of the Rings, but also about Wellington and New Zealand. My tour guide was enthusiastic the entire time and welcoming to everyone. He made sure that we had enough time to take as many photos as we wanted and even helped us recreated different scenes from the movies. The Weta Workshop experience was fantastic. It focused on Lord of the Rings, but also shared about other movies that Weta has worked on. I learned so much. I loved that this tour was accessible to solo travelers and offered pick-up and drop-off at our housing accommodations. I absolutely loved this experience!!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
That is why we do this. Our guides are LOTR experts but that is just part of the experience as you noted. They are super hosts and mix it up so even people who aren't LOTR nerds can have a great time. Thanks for taking the time to send this detailed feedback.
Karen_M, Mar 2026
The tour is a masterclass in "behind-the-scenes" storytelling. It’s not just about seeing locations; it’s about standing exactly where the magic happened.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Glad you thought so. We hire many of our guides directly from the film industry so they are able to really bring the stories to life. Thanks for the feedback.
Beth_M, Mar 2026
What a fun time! I truly enjoyed this trip into movie-making madness with a group of people who loved the movies. Natalie, our driver/guide, had great energy and stories. The tour of the Wētā Workshop was fascinating. While some may think that kind of background knowledge ruins the magic, I think it actually enhanced the magic in some ways. Why? Because there is a kind of magic in the Workshop's creativity and creations. And the fun we all had with the props!!!! I would do this tour again... And again.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
The record is doing the same tour 3 times. Different guides = even more new insights. Thanks for the feedback.
Randee_K, Mar 2026
It's a long and thorough day. On the one hand, even non-major LOTR fans will get something out of it because the locations are gorgeous and the WETA tour is interesting. But what comes out to about eight hours is mostly for the dedicated, who will enjoy being in locations related to or directly included in the films. That said, our tour guide was fun and knowledgeable, and seemed to enjoy what he was doing.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We only use guides that are passionate about what they do. Yes, while this is designed for fans and we make sure we can give them all the LOTR information they desire we have built the tour to be interesting for all the friends and family they make do the tour with them ;) Thanks for the feedback.
Erin_K, Mar 2026
There is a bit of walking up and down hill at the beginning of the excursion, but not too extensive. Otherwise this was a fantastic experience. Jack, our tour guide was awesome. So knowledgeable, personable, and entertaining. This was a really great way to get in the beautiful scenery of NZ and get your LOTR nerd-on. Highly recommend!!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Our team of passionate, expert guides also know how to make the day FUN. Thanks for the feedback.
Pamela_P, Mar 2026
Guide Jack was so friendly and accommodating. Tour was extremely well organized. Easy and efficient pickup and return to the cruise port. Beautiful scenery and interesting tour at Wētā Works. A LOT of LOTR trivia and movie info.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We have been delivering and improving this tour for 20 years. Then we unleash our team of passionate guides and let you enjoy the ride. Thanks for the feedback.
Linda_S, Mar 2026
The tour was very well organized. Jack, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable about all aspects of Lord of the Rings. We were picked up at the cruise ship pier. We were returned to the ship with plenty of time to spare before "All Aboard". It was a great day.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are experts at working with the ships and make sure if you book with us the day goes seamlessly. Thanks for the review.
David_A, Mar 2026
Meeting the tour, coming off the cruise ship was so easy. Van was 100’ away. Grant was a wonderful guide who had expert LOTR knowledge and passion. Saw all the sights and lunch buffet was really good. Weta production was interesting too. Water was provided and a small snack would have been nice since there was a 6 hour time between breakfast and lunch.
We were on time and the company is proud to have not missed a ship departure. The value was excellent and small group was perfect. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are experts at the logistics of working with ships. Our passionate guides make sure the day feels effortless and fun. Thanks for the feedback.
Rebekah_C, Mar 2026
Wha a great experience. If you love LOTR this is a must do! So fun to stand where they filmed the movies and to hear about the history. Our guide Hamish was great and so knowledgeable. Lunch was tasty.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We love sharing all our insider knowledge from the making of these films! Thanks for the feedback.
Lars_S, Mar 2026
Hamish was a great (and patient) guide! He sprinkled plenty of humor in along with all the knowledge he imparted (cool LOTR and nature facts!)
...and he was able to keep us moving and on time to everything!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We have a great team of guides who are not only LOTR experts but super hosts as well. Thanks for the feedback.
Nancy_B, Mar 2026
Full day of touring LOTR filming sites. Our guide, Natalie, was overflowing with information about the LOTR filming. It was as if it had occurred yesterday! She also pointed out key sites in Wellington and tidbits about the city. Natalie was very enthusiastic and personable, and answered any questions we had. We had a nice buffet lunch and several nice short walks to see the filming sites. It was a long day, but totally worth it! Weta workshop was incredible and a must do for movie fans.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you Nancy for your lovely review!
We're so pleased you had such a memorable day with Natalie. Her passion for the films, attention to detail, and friendly approach make for a truly immersive experience, and we're glad she was able to share both the magic of Middle-earth and some of Wellington's local stories with you.
It's wonderful to hear you enjoyed the filming locations, Wētā Workshop, and the chance to explore some of the beautiful scenery featured in the films.
Thank you for choosing to adventure with us, and we hope to see you back in Wellington someday.
Ngā mihi,
The Wellington Rings Tours Team
Monica_B, Mar 2026
Tour guide had loads of stories and personal experiences that enriched the whole experience. An extremely enjoyable tour, made all the more interesting by someone involved in creating the movies. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We have been doing this for ages and have a great team of expert guides many of which have film experience on the LOTR movies. Thanks for the feedback.
Frantz_R, Mar 2026
Our guide Wyatt was excellent. He was involved at a very young age in the LOTR project and was very knowledgeable and funny and made the tour very interesting and engaging. We truly enjoyed his guidance.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you Frantz for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear you had such an enjoyable and engaging experience with Wyatt.
His involvement in The Lord of the Rings project, along with his knowledge, humour, and storytelling, helps bring the locations and behind-the-scenes stories to life.
We're very pleased you truly enjoyed his guidance, and we'll be sure to pass on your kind words to Wyatt.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to Wellington again in the future.
Ngā mihi,
The Wellington Rings Tours Team
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