Half Day Lord of the Rings Tour
Overview
We make our way up to the Mount Victoria Lookout to see spectacular views of Wellington’s city by driving up Courtenay Place, past the Embassy Picture Theatre which held two world premieres; The last LOTR instalment The Return of the King (2003), and the first Hobbit movie An Unexpected Journey (2012).
Then it is off to Hobbiton Woods where the filming of his epic trilogy began. Home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam & Frodo’s Second Breakfast; the location where the Hobbits hid from the Black Rider (“Get off the Road!”); the Race to the Buckleberry Ferry scene; and King Théoden’s Dunharrow Encampment.
Now we are off to the Weta Workshop in Miramar. for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour where you see how props plus weaponry are made and probably maybe meet artists at work.
At the Weta Cave see and have photos with Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai, Bilbo’s three Trolls.
The tour concludes with a drive around the bays back to the city
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Live commentary on board
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Driver/guide
- Tea and coffee Coffee and/or Tea
- Bottled water
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
A PICKUP LOCATION MUST BE GIVEN AT TIME OF BOOKING If you are unsure, please select 'Wellington isite Visitor Information Centre' when booking. This can be amended later if required. DO NOT put 'I will select later'.******CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS WILL BE COLLECTED FROM THE CRUISE SHIP PRIVATE TOUR COLLECTION POINT****** Please select "Wellington Cruise Ship Port, Pipitea" option as your pickup location and enter your ship name in the additional booking details.As of 2026/27 season no private tour operator is permitted to collect guests directly from the ship. The collection point for cruise ship guests is located 500m from the cruise ship berthing point. Allow yourselves 10-15 minutes to walk from the ship to the collection point.For the convenience of other guests, please ensure you arrive at the Private Tour Collection Area promptly as the tour may not wait for you. Look out for the Xplor Tours guides who will greet you.NON-CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER BOOKINGS: Pickup times may differ from tour start times if there are multiple guest pickup locations. We will contact you in advance of your tour with your estimated pickup time if this is the case.
145 Wakefield Street
Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Mount Victoria
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Mount Victoria
40 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Weta Workshop Group Space
2 hours Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Cruise Ship Passenger bookings should select the following option as their pickup location which is the Wellington Cruise Ship Port: Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
- Cruise Ship Passenger bookings should add their ship name in special requirements field.
- PICKUP LOCATION MUST BE GIVEN AT TIME OF BOOKING: Default pickup location Wellington iSite Visitor Centre, if you do not know your hotel at time of booking. You can amend your pickup when you know your hotel, if it is located in the CBD pickup area.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Half Day Lord of the Rings Tour?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-66479P7
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.77 out of 5 stars based on 132 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZDT).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- GST (Goods and Services Tax).
- Live commentary on board.
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan.
- Driver/guide.
- Tea and coffee. Coffee and/or Tea.
- Bottled water.
- Gratuities.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Half Day Lord of the Rings Tour is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Half Day Lord of the Rings Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Live commentary on board
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Driver/guide
- Tea and coffeeCoffee and/or Tea
- Bottled water
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Cruise Ship Passenger bookings should select the following option as their pickup location which is the Wellington Cruise Ship Port: Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
- Cruise Ship Passenger bookings should add their ship name in special requirements field.
- PICKUP LOCATION MUST BE GIVEN AT TIME OF BOOKING: Default pickup location Wellington iSite Visitor Centre, if you do not know your hotel at time of booking. You can amend your pickup when you know your hotel, if it is located in the CBD pickup area.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
