• Wellington - COLLECTION

The adventure begins with the safe collection of all guests as they board the vehicle.

For those arriving by cruise ship, collection is directly from the port. There’s no need to take a shuttle or head into the city, as the team is accredited to pick you up right as you disembark.

If you’re being picked up from a hotel, please wait in the reception area or just outside where the friendly guide can easily spot you. Relax, as sometimes traffic or other factors may cause slight delays.

For those meeting at the iSite, head to the tour bus stop located just outside or beside the iSite. Look out for the Ka Rawe signage on the vehicle, and you’ll be on your way soon!

• Embassy Theatre - A stunning cinema with a rich history.

Situated at the eastern end of Courtenay Place, beneath Mount Victoria, the Embassy Theatre gained international fame when it hosted the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on December 1, 2003. Nearly 120,000 people lined the red carpet along Courtenay Place to witness the procession of actors and filmmakers entering the theatre for the screening.

The theatre also hosted the Australasian premieres of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers.

In 2005, it held a red carpet screening of Peter Jackson’s King Kong and the 2012 world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

• Mount Victoria Lookout - Discover the best vantage point in this beautiful city. Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the central business district, the harbor, and the ocean to the south. Simply stunning!

Legend has it that Wellington harbor, originally a land-locked lake, was home to two large and active taniwha (sea monsters). One taniwha created a passage to the open sea, forming the harbor entrance. The second, named Whataitai, attempted a different route, became stranded, and died. It is believed that Tangi-te keo (Mt Victoria) was named after the soul of Whataitai.

This spot offers the best photo opportunities on the tour, and the guide/host will be delighted to be your personal photographer for the day.

What a beautiful city!

• Mount Victoria - HOBBITS HIDEAWAY

Mount Victoria not only offers the best views in Wellington with its 360-degree panorama but also served as the filming location for the first day of shooting for the Lord of the Rings trilogy back in 1998.

Some of the trilogy’s most iconic scenes were filmed here, and the guide will use imagery from the trilogy to bring those scenes to life.

Hide from the Black Riders and move swiftly to Buckleberry ferry. Who knows, maybe you’ll even recreate those scenes. Don’t forget, the guide loves taking photos for you.

The guide will share loads of insider knowledge gained from training by Lord of the Rings experts and hours of watching behind-the-scenes documentaries.

Get off the road!

• Wellington - WETA CAVE

Don’t be misled into thinking this is about seeing New Zealand’s native insects up close.

While the Weta is a native New Zealand cricket-like insect, it’s also the name of a world-famous film and special effects company right here in Wellington!

Weta is arguably most famous for its incredible work on the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but its impact on the broader industry is much more extensive.

Included in the tour cost is a 90-minute behind-the-scenes Weta Cave experience. The guide will check you in for that.

This is also an opportunity to purchase memorabilia, view items on display in the mini-museum, and even have a photo opportunity with the Cave Trolls! At Ka Rawe, the guides make excellent photographers too.

After leaving the Weta Cave, the tour checks out the Wellington sign, which our friends from Hollywood copied!

• Oriental Bay - The tour makes its way back into the city around the bay, with the guide providing information along the way.

The journey continues to Oriental Bay, known for being both a popular beach and a luxurious area in the city. It’s a bit pricey around here!

You’ll see some amazing architecture, and perhaps this will be the only “man-made” beach you’ll ever encounter! Don’t miss the Carter Fountain.

Originally named Duppa Bay after its original sole resident George Duppa, it was renamed Oriental Bay after one of the first ships to bring settlers to Wellington.

Spectacular!

Beautiful

• Wellington - LUNCH - A suitable location for lunch will be found. Costs are covered by the guests.

• Upper Hutt - HUTT VALLEY & QUARRY

A short journey takes the tour to the Hutt Valley region, where more movie magic was created.

Though it looks a bit different today, the Dry Creek Quarry housed some of the most impressive sets from the movie. Believe it or not, this is where the epic Battle of Helm’s Deep was filmed.

The guide helps bring these scenes to life with historic pictures and images from the movie. They’ll also share some lesser-known facts about the movie related to this site. For example, did you know that some of the crowd noise for the Battle of Helm’s Deep was derived from an international cricket match that took place around the time of filming? Genius!

A reminder: don’t forget to bring your imagination!

• Poet’s Park - Locals know this location as Poets Corner, but at Ka Rawe, it’s known and shown as part of the River Anduin!

Similar to the Dry Creek Quarry, much has changed here in the last 25 years, but what hasn’t changed is that Poets Corner served as part of the River Anduin, where the Fellowship traveled in boats after leaving Lothlorien.

The guide will share other interesting facts about this location, bringing these facts to life with supporting imagery.

• Upper Hutt - ISENGARD

The journey continues deeper into the Hutt Valley, and as the tour leaves the main thoroughfare, it encounters what locals know as Harcourt Park, but it’s recognized as Isengard!

A great opportunity to recreate one of the shots from the movie, where the background still looks largely similar to how it did 25 years ago.

The tour showcases some of Peter’s ingenuity as it reimagines how he shot some of the scenes and how they transformed into the final images seen on screen.

As always, the guide is happy to act as a photographer and has images to share to fuel your imagination. Insider knowledge is shared along the way.

• Kaitoke Regional Park - If you ever wanted to experience the beautiful scenery and nature that New Zealand is renowned for, look no further than Kaitoke Regional Park. It’s thought of as Rivendell!

Once again, marvel at Peter’s ingenuity as the tour shares how composite scenes are created and discusses the use of miniatures and bigatures.

There’s no mistaking that Kaitoke Park was used in the filming of Lord of the Rings, as many items and landmarks showcase this fact.

Fantastic photo opportunities abound as the tour escapes the van to soak up the serenity and imagine what it looked like 27 years ago.

The guide will once again share little-known facts, show imagery from the film, and act as your personal photographer.

Magic!

• Wellington - DROP OFF

To conclude the journey, the tour returns to the city, celebrating the success and enjoyment the day brought to all!

• Bottled water
• Admission to the 90 minute Weta Cave Experience is included in your cost
• Licensed guide/ driver

• Lunch

An unforgettable tour awaits, exploring the enchanting filming sites of the iconic Lord of the Rings trilogy, along with the chance to stroll through a picturesque city. Expert guides will lead the way!

The tour covers remarkable locations such as the Outer Shire, Helm’s Deep, Minas Tirith, Isengard, and Rivendell. Participants will have the opportunity to recreate memorable scenes and admire breathtaking landscapes along the journey.

Included in the tour is a 90-minute Weta Cave experience, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the renowned Weta Workshop.

• Please note that the order of the itinerary items may vary
• Note that we visit filming locations not movies sets. Please bring your imagination!
• Lunch venue & duration of break time varies depending on traffic & other timings
• Please stay flexible regarding travel times & itinerary times
• There is some track walking required up & down a mild incline

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