12-Day Lord of the Rings Itinerary in New Zealand

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Rocky Dimico, Travel Agent in Spring Lake, NC

Rocky Dimico

Spring Lake, NC Travel Agent
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Rocky Dimico

Spring Lake, NC · 3 Years of Experience

Flights and Fables, an independent agent with WorldVia, a Travel Leaders Agency
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Rocky was wonderful and did all the grunt work in creating an amazing trip to Universal Studios, Island of Adventure and Universal Epic. We are big... Read More >
COUNTRIES VISITED:New Zealand
PLACES VISITED:Auckland, Christchurch, Fjordland National Park, Queenstown, Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, Wellington
SUGGESTED DURATION:12 Days
Embark on an unforgettable 12-day journey through New Zealand, the real-life Middle-earth from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Begin your adventure in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, before heading to Matamata to explore the enchanting Hobbiton Movie Set. Discover Rotorua's geothermal wonders and immerse yourself in Maori culture. Traverse the dramatic landscapes of Tongariro National Park, home to the iconic Mt. Doom. In Wellington, delve into movie magic at Weta Workshop and experience the city's vibrant arts scene. Finally, experience the adventure capital of Queenstown, with a tour of Glenorchy’s breathtaking LOTR filming locations. Visit one of the UNESCO sites in Fjordland National Park. This itinerary combines guided tours with independent exploration, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and cinematic history. Prepare for an epic adventure through the landscapes that brought Tolkien’s world to life.
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DAY1
Auckland
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Arrival in Auckland
Morning: Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Transfer to your hotel. Afternoon: Explore Auckland city, visit the Sky Tower for a panoramic view. Evening: Relax and recover from your flight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Check out one of the many diverse restaurants in Auckland
DAY2
Rotorua
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Auckland to Matamata
Morning: Drive to Matamata (approx. 2 hours). Mid-Morning: Hobbiton Movie Set tour. Explore the Shire, visit Bilbo's house, and enjoy a drink at The Green Dragon Inn. Afternoon: Lunch at The Shires Rest Café. Evening: Stay overnight in Rotorua (approx. 1 hour drive).
HIGHLIGHTS:
The lunch buffet combined with the tour is a sure fire way to indulge your LOTR experience
DAY3
Rotorua
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Geothermal and Maori Culture
Morning: Explore geothermal wonders at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland or soak in a mudbath. Afternoon: Visit the Te Puia cultural center for Maori culture and geysers. Evening: Enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi dinner and cultural performance.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Hell's Gate Mud Spa is an amazing way to enjoy NZ's unique landscape
DAY4
Tongariro National Park
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Rotorua to Tongariro National Park
Morning: Drive to Tongariro National Park (approx. 2.5 hours). Afternoon: Visit Whakapapa Village and the Tongariro National Park Visitor Center. Take in the scenery of one of the most famous LOTR filming locations (Mt. Doom). Evening: Stay overnight in the park, enjoy a relaxed evening.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Tongariro Alpine Crossing is considered one of the top 10 day hikes in the world.
DAY5
Wellington
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Tongariro National Park to Wellington
Morning: Drive to Wellington (approx. 4.5 hours). Take in the amazing scenery as you pass through National Parks. Afternoon: Check into your hotel and explore the city. The Te Papa Museum (the national museum of NZ) is free and offers a unique look into New Zealands vibrant history. Evening: Visit the vibrant waterfront area for dinner.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Te Papa Museum's interactive displays.
DAY6
Wellington
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WETA workshop
Morning: Weta Workshop Tour to see props and special effects used in LOTR. This tour gives a glimpse into the amazing special effects and academy award winning props and costumes Afternoon: Explore Rivendell in Kaitoke Regional Park, located just outside Wellington. Wander through the beautiful forest and see where the Elven realm was brought to life. Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
HIGHLIGHTS:
WETA workshop is a must see activity for LOTR fans.
DAY7
Christchurch
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Arrive in Christchurch and Explore
Morning: Fly from Wellington to Christchurch. Afternoon: Explore Christchurch, visit the Botanic Gardens and the Canterbury Museum. Or you can add the quake museum to learn about the violent earthquakes in the Canterbury museum. Walk through the Indoor Market and sample unique foods from all over the world. Evening: Stay overnight in Christchurch.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The indoor market has a wide selection of food, my favorite was Dumplings from Nepal.
DAY8
Christchurch
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Visit Edoras filming location
Morning: Departure: Start your day early as you take a tour from Christchurch to Mount Sunday (Edoras) in the Ashburton Lakes region (approx. 2.5 hours). Enjoy the breathtaking drive through the Canterbury Plains, passing by rivers, mountains, and farmland that resemble the vast landscapes of Rohan. Arrive at Mount Sunday, the stunning location used for Edoras, the capital city of Rohan. Guided Tour: Join a guided tour to explore Edoras. Learn about how the set was constructed and used in the films, and enjoy fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. The tour typically includes a hike up Mount Sunday, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area. The tour is 10 hours in total and includes lunch. Evening: Arrive back in Christchurch. Freshen up and relax at your hotel and enjoy dinner at one of Christchurch's many excellent restaurants, reminiscing about your day exploring the iconic lands of Rohan.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Relax on the guided tour while your enjoy the scenery and views of this filming location.
DAY9
Queenstown
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Christchurch to Queenstown
Morning: Drive or take a scenic train ride (TranzAlpine) to Queenstown (approx. 6 hours by car or train). Afternoon: Check into your hotel and explore Queenstown. Evening: Enjoy dinner at one of Queenstown's renowned restaurants. Depending on the line, this might be the day you eat at Fergburger, considered by many to be the best burger in the world.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Fergburger Restaurant
DAY10
Queenstown
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Safari to explore many filming locations
Full Day: Take a tour to Glenorchy with Nomad Safaris, known as the gateway to Middle-earth. Visit filming locations such as Isengard, Lothlórien, and the Misty Mountains. You can do a half day or full day tour, which will also take you to Arrowtown. The tour uses 4x4 vehicles to get you to locations not easily accessible by car. Evening: Return to Queenstown, enjoy the nightlife or a quiet evening by the lake. Sample one of the many lake front restaurants or eat on the TSS Earnslaw, a very unique experience.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The Safari tour is a great way to see many of the filming locations.
DAY11
Fjordland National Park
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Take a tour of one of the sounds
Full Day: Take a day trip to either Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound. Both offer breathtaking fjord scenery, waterfalls, and wildlife. Milford Sound: A scenic drive or bus ride followed by a cruise through the fjord. Doubtful Sound: A more remote experience, often requiring a combination of bus and boat trips. Evening: Return to Queenstown and enjoy a final dinner in the city.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Doubtful Sound is my personal favorite
DAY12
Queenstown
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Final day in NZ
Morning: Final shopping or sightseeing. Afternoon: Depart from Queenstown Airport and arrive back in Auckland to catch your return flight home.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Plenty of shopping to do in Queenstown, wake up early and catch a picture of the sunrise.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This itinerary is a perfect blend for Lord of the Rings fans with the uniqueness of New Zealand while combining long lasting memories from these beloved movies. This trip is not too long, but not too short to get a great overview of NZ.