• 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 operator is accredited to pick up guests right as they disembark.

For hotel pickups, guests are advised to wait in the reception area or just outside where the friendly guide can easily spot them. Please be patient, as traffic or other factors may occasionally 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 out for the Ka Rawe signage on the vehicle, and the guide will be there 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 Lookout - Experience the best views in the 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 spot offers the best photo opportunities on the tour, and the guide/host is more than happy 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 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 a native New Zealand cricket-like insect, it is also the name of a world-famous film and special effects company based 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 a 90-minute behind-the-scenes Weta Cave experience. The guide will handle the 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 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!

Beautiful

• Wellington - LUNCH - A suitable location for lunch will be found. Guests cover their own costs.
• 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 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 instance, did you know that some of the crowd noise for the Battle of Helm’s Deep was sourced from an international cricket match held around the time of filming? Genius!

Remember to bring your imagination!

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

Similar to the Dry Creek Quarry, much has changed here over the past 25 years, but 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 them to life with supporting imagery.

• Upper Hutt - ISENGARD

The journey continues deeper into the Hutt Valley, where the tour veers off the main road to discover what locals call Harcourt Park, but is better known as Isengard!

This is a great opportunity to recreate one of the shots from the movie, as the background remains largely unchanged from 25 years ago.

The tour showcases some of Peter’s ingenuity, reimagining how he shot certain 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 - For those wanting to experience the stunning scenery and nature New Zealand is famous for, Kaitoke Regional Park is the place to be. It’s often 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 guests step out of 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 a personal photographer.

Magic!

• Wellington - DROP OFF

The journey concludes with a return to the city, celebrating the success and enjoyment of the day for 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 legendary Lord of the Rings trilogy, along with the chance to explore a picturesque city. Expert guides will lead the way!

The tour features iconic 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.