Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 163 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour worth booking?
Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour is a 6-hour experience in Wellington, New Zealand, from $180 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 163 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (163)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $180 per person
First stop, Dry Creek Quarry site of Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith. Then River Anduin where the Fellowship travelled to Amon Hen, Gardens of Isengard -Gandalf met Saruman to discuss the Ring, where Saruman’s Orcs destroy
What you get
About this experience
First stop, Dry Creek Quarry site of Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith. Then River Anduin where the Fellowship travelled to Amon Hen, Gardens of Isengard -Gandalf met Saruman to discuss the Ring, where Saruman’s Orcs destroy the gardens. Rivendell home of the Elves, adventurous may cross swing bridge. Lunch stop provided, please be flexible as timings vary. (Cost of lunch not included in tour price). Weta Workshop seeing how props, weaponry are made, see artists at work and sets from Thunderbirds. Meet Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai, Bilbo’s Trolls. Hobbiton Woods where trilogy began. Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam & Frodo’s Second Breakfast; Hobbits hiding from the Black Rider (Get off the Road!); Race to the Buckleberry Ferry King Théoden’s Dunharrow Encampment. Mount Victoria Lookout to see views of Wellington. Back in the city Courtenay Place, the Embassy Picture Theatre which held two world premieres; The Return of the King (2003), first Hobbit movie An Unexpected Journey (2012).
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Driver/guide
- Live commentary on board
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Not included
- Bottled water
- Tea and coffee
- Gratuities
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
First stop is Dry Creek Quarry site of Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith
15 minutes here
Then the River Anduin where the Fellowship travelled to Amon Hen, Gardens of Isengard -Gandalf met Saruman to discuss the Ring, where Saruman’s Orcs destroy the gardens.
15 minutes here
Rivendell home of the Elves. More adventurous may cross swing bridge.
30 minutes here
Tour of Weta workshop seeing how props and weaponry is made as well as sets from Thunderbirds
120 minutes here
Hobbiton Woods where the trilogy began. Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam & Frodo’s Second Breakfast; where Hobbits hid from the Black Rider (“Get off the Road!”); Race to the Buckleberry Ferry scene; King Théoden’s Dunharrow Encampment.
15 minutes here
Mount Victoria
Mount Victoria Lookout to see views of Wellington.
40 minutes here
Back into the city Courtenay Place, the Embassy Picture Theatre which held two world premieres; The Return of the King (2003), first Hobbit movie An Unexpected Journey (2012).
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Wellington
The Wellington isite Visitor Information Centre Bus Stop located outside Tākina at 217 Wakefield Steet is the alternative pick up point if you are not arriving off a Cruise Ship or your Hotel is outside of the CBD pick up zone.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Ends at
The Wellington isite Visitor Information Centre Bus Stop located outside Tākina at 217 Wakefield Steet is the alternative pick up point if you are not arriving off a Cruise Ship or your Hotel is outside of the CBD pick up zone.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Xplor Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 163 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
163 verified traveler reviews for Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
LOTR Tour
Was a really great time. Our guide was very knowledgeable about LOTR as well as the native wildlife species. They ran the tour even though it was just two of us on it.
Response from the operator: Thanks for leaving your review for us Matthew. Good to hear you enjoyed your experience with us.
via Tripadvisor
Great LOTR experience
Went on the LOTR tour today. It was a lot of fun. We went to several filming locations and saw some beautiful scenery. The Weta workshop was also really cool. Our tour guide, STAN, was really knowledgeable, informative and friendly. It was a great day. I’d definitely recommend.
Response from the operator: Thanks for your great review, and good to know Stan delivered another of his great tours for us. Thanks also for choosing Xplor Tours.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing day! Stan our...
Amazing day! Stan our tour guide was just full of knowledge and stories about the LOTR movies, set and everyone involved! Of course New Zealand itself is such a beautiful place and the WETA workshop is a must see;
Response from the operator: Lovely review for us Lorna, and thanks for taking the time to post it. Stan is a wonderful guide for us, and we are glad you left Wellington with good memories.
via Viator
Great tour to areas where...
Great tour to areas where LOTR was filmed. There was more walking involved than we anticipated. We enjoyed the forest of several of the scenes we loved in LOTR. Weta workshop was really fun to!
Response from the operator: Great to know you enjoyed your LOTR experience with us Sally. Thanks for the great review.
via Viator
Stan was great!
Stan was our guide and did an awesome job of sharing his knowledge with us. It was just us and 1 other young couple and we all had a great time listening and learning all about the various filming sites around Wellington. The Weta Workshop was very interesting and we learned a lot about the various filming sites”tricks of the trade” used during the filming.
Response from the operator: Another great review for Stan the Man, and thank you for taking the time to post it.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $180 to $300
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 57
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Wellington.
How much does Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour cost?
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Prices start at $180 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Wellington usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Wellington is not rushed.
Is Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 163 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Wellington, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour?
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Around 57 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Wellington can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Wellington and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Wellington within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Wellington?
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On Outty we rank every Wellington experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Overnight Experience Tour on Kapiti Island, Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour, Martinborough Wine and Wild Coast Tour from Wellington. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Wellington?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Wellington?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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