• 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 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 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.

Located at the eastern end of Courtenay Place, in the shadow of 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, as well as a red carpet screening of Peter Jackson’s King Kong in 2005 and the 2012 world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

• Mount Victoria - What a view!

Experience the best vantage point in this beautiful city, offering 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’s 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 is likely the best photo opportunity on the tour, and the guide/host will be delighted to serve as your personal photographer for the day.

What a beautiful city!

• Mount Victoria Lookout - HOBBITS HIDEAWAY

Mount Victoria not only offers the best vantage point in Wellington with its 360-degree views 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 some scenes will be recreated… Don’t forget, the guide loves taking photos for you.

The guide will share a wealth 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 indeed a native New Zealand cricket-like insect, it is also the name of a world-famous film and special effects company based right here in Wellington!

Weta is arguably most renowned 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 participation in the 90-minute behind-the-scenes Weta Cave experience. The guide will handle check-in for this.

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

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

• 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 here!

You’ll see some amazing architecture, and perhaps this will be the only “man-made” beach you’ll ever encounter! Be sure to check out Carter Fountain as well.

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!

• Wellington - DROP OFF

Wow! Hopefully, you’ll agree that the tour packed a lot of Wellington goodness into your time today.

However, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

There are several drop-off locations available, and remember, Wellington is a small, compact city that’s easy to navigate, so you’re never far from where you want to be.

The recommendation is to be dropped off at Te Papa. Not only is Te Papa New Zealand’s national museum, but it is also centrally located for wherever your final destination may be.

What a day out!

• Bottled water
• Includes Weta Experience Tickets
• English Tour Guide

• Gratuities

Travel in a luxurious BMW with your fellow guests, who are your close friends or family.

Private travel offers greater flexibility for your tour and allows for further personalization. The operators pride themselves on being experts in Lord of the Rings.

This tour is packed with an abundance of Lord of the Rings magic.

Recreate some of the most iconic scenes from the trilogy as you visit the location of the first day of filming. Hobbits Hideaway and Dunharrow are just a couple of the scenes that will be brought to life for you.

The 90-minute Weta Cave experience is included in this tour, and you’ll explore some of the world-class movie facilities here in Wellywood!

This tour is great fun for everyone, not just LOTR fans.

• We recommend sturdy footwear with good grip
• Not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters as we do head off road
• A little bit of off road terrain. Manageable for all fitness levels

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