• Wellington - COLLECTION

The adventure begins by safely gathering all guests and boarding 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 accreditation allows collection right as guests disembark.

For hotel pickups, guests should wait in the reception area or just outside where the friendly guide can easily spot them. Patience is appreciated as traffic or other factors may cause slight delays.

For those being picked up from the iSite, head to the tour bus stop located just outside or beside the iSite. Look for the Ka Rawe signage on the vehicle, and the journey will commence shortly!

• 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 - What a view!

Experience 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, once 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 perished. 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 would be thrilled to be your personal photographer for the day.

What a beautiful city!

• Mount Victoria Lookout - 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 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, perhaps those scenes will be recreated… Don’t forget, the guide loves taking photos for you.

The guide will share extensive 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-renowned Film & Special Effects company based 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 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, view items in the mini-museum, and even have a photo opportunity with the Cave Trolls! At Ka Rawe, guides are excellent photographers too.

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

• Oriental Bay - The tour returns to 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!

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

Originally named Duppa Bay after its 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, everyone agrees that the tour packed a lot of Wellington’s charm into the day.

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

Several drop-off locations are available, and remember, Wellington is a small, compact city that’s easy to navigate, so you’re never far from your desired destination.

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 the final destination may be.

What a day out!

• Weta Experience Tickets
• English Tour Guide

• Gratuities

Experience an abundance of Lord of the Rings enchantment with this tour! Relive some of the trilogy’s most iconic scenes by visiting the location of the first day of filming. Included in this tour is a 90-minute Weta Cave experience, along with a visit to some of the world-class movie facilities in Wellingwood!

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

• 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.