Private Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour worth booking?
Private Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour is a 10-hour experience in Queenstown, New Zealand, from $2000 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (5)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $2000 per person
Combine our Half Day in Middle Earth with a second Half Day Adventure into another part of Middle Earth with our partner company. We have a 1-1.5 hour lunch break back in Queenstown and change buses for the afternoon tou
What you get
- Photos with Authentic Props - We have the largest selection of Authentic Replica swords, axes, daggers & Helmets. Along with costumes to dress up.
- 1 % of all proceeds go to the Love Queenstown Community Fund preserving our breathtaking landscapes.
- Tea and coffee
- We also have copies of the original scripts and production call sheets
About this experience
Combine our Half Day in Middle Earth with a second Half Day Adventure into another part of Middle Earth with our partner company. We have a 1-1.5 hour lunch break back in Queenstown and change buses for the afternoon tour. Morning and Afternoon Tour itineraries are interchangeable and can be switched due to availability or weather conditions. You will be visiting the Skippers Canyon Lookout (weather permitting), Arrowtown, The Gibbston Valley, Glenorchy and Paradise. You will admire LOTR locations such as The Ford of Bruinen, The Gladden Fields, Pillars of the Kings, Ithilien, Isengard, Beorn's House, Lothlorien, Amon Hen and more!
What's included
Included
- Photos with Authentic Props - We have the largest selection of Authentic Replica swords, axes, daggers & Helmets. Along with costumes to dress up.
- 1 % of all proceeds go to the Love Queenstown Community Fund preserving our breathtaking landscapes.
- Tea and coffee
- We also have copies of the original scripts and production call sheets
Not included
- Lunch
- For children under 7 please bring child seat or message us to arrange one at an additional charge
What you'll see and do
Skippers Canyon
We head to the Skippers Canyon Lookout to view New Zealand's "Most Dangerous Road". Not only a spectacular view but also a Lord of the Rings Filming location located further within the Canyon. We stop afterwards at the nearby Coronet Viewpoint to taking in the surrounding views of the Wakatipu Basin and navigate our journeys plan from a birds eye perspective. (These stops are weather permitting)
20 minutes here
Arrowtown
Awarded New Zealand's 'Most Beautiful Small Town' award in 2020 and 2023. We learn about the gold rush history of this rustic yet charming village the seems to appear right out of the 1800's. We explore 2 Lord of the Rings filming locations a short walk from town, followed by morning or afternoon tea in this quaint village.
60 minutes here
Gibbston
Central Otago's Premier Wine Region. Here we visit an epic Lord of the Rings filming location learning stories of the production along with the winegrowing history. Here we also witness dare devils jumping from the world's first commercial bungee jump from the Historic Kawarau Bridge.
15 minutes here
Lake Hayes
We head to this picturesque serene lake, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains right out of Middle Earth. We spend some time here soaking in the serenity and playing with our Authentic Replica Props. Dress up as you favourite LOTR characters and weild lifelike swords, daggers, axes and helmets from your favourite fantasy trilogy!
25 minutes here
We head to the breathtaking Wakatipu Lookout where beneath the towering Remarkables Mountains we have one last look upon this spectacular landscape that inspired the filming of the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. We point out several filming locations and take photo's from the locals best kept secret lookout, towering over the resort town of Queenstown.
10 minutes here
Queenstown
Between our 2 tours we give our guests 1-1.5hrs break in the resort town of Queenstown. We will make fantastic lunch reccommendations (at guests own expense). The break time depends on which order the morning and afternoon tours are undertaken. If the Glenorchy tour is taken first then the break will likely be an 1hr with a shorter finish time at the end of the day, as this tour is slightly longer than the Arrowtown Tour.
90 minutes here
Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove Track
We walk from the beautiful 12 Mile Delta along the Bob's Cove Track to a significant Lord of the Rings filming location set in beautiful native & non native scrub forest by an historical goldrush campsite.
40 minutes here
Glenorchy-Queenstown Road
We travel along what has been described as "One of the most beautiful scenic drives on earth!". Along the Glenorchy Road we stop at the breathtaking Bennetts Bluff Lookout. Spotting some distant Lord of the Rings filming locations, hidden in the mountains. We return on this same scenic drive which allows opportunity to view breathtaking vistas from multiple aspects along the road.
100 minutes here
Glenorchy
Stopping in the small quaint town of Glenorchy. Based at the head of Lake Wakatipu and the foothills of the Southern Alps, the town is known for its historic church, vibrant red boatshed and wharf, and one of the smallest libraries in New Zealand.
20 minutes here
Within the stunning Paradise Valley we encounter 2 Lord of the Rings filming Locations and 1 from the Hobbit series. We gain exclusive access to a high country sheep station where multiple films have been shot, before entering ancient Southern Beech Forest. Either here or Glenorchy itself we will have our morning/afternoon Tea and snacks (please let us know if you have any dietary requirements).
45 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Queenstown
On the Corner of Camp and Shotover Street, the Station Building (AJ Hackett, Shotover Jet). There are some wooden benches to wait next to where the tour buses stop.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
On the Corner of Camp and Shotover Street, the Station Building (AJ Hackett, Shotover Jet). There are some wooden benches to wait next to where the tour buses stop.
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
- Southern Trails - Independent Lord of the Rings Sightseeing Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Travel time between locations is included on the total tour duration.
- Maximum 9 people on Tour
- Children 6 years and under require a child seat by NZ law. Please let us know if you have your own or would like to rent one from us (fees apply).
- Not recommended for travelers who cannot walk more than 20mins on uneven ground. There is 1 walk where people unable to walk may have to wait for up to 20 mins.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Private Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing!
Francesco was an amazing tour guide and driver, super considerate, kind and knowledgeable. The best tours are always those run by subject matter nerds, we learned so much! He was super easy to book and picked us up right from our accommodation. Will definitely be booking again next time we’re in the area!
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the kind words. Francesco will love this, he genuinely enjoys sharing the stories behind these places. Glad booking was easy and we could pick you up from your accommodation. Hope to see you again for another adventure, there is always more of Middle Earth to explore.
via Tripadvisor
Lord of the rings reality come true
Fantastic full day tour with the family . We loved the props and the dress up part at the end using the Authentic Lord of the Rings swords and out fits . Our guide Shane was very knowledgeable and the scenery was stunning . Highly recommended.
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the kind words, I am glad the family had such a great day and embraced the props and dress ups, those swords always bring out a bit of Middle earth magic, the scenery does the rest, hope to see you again for another adventure, maybe second another breakfast next time
via Tripadvisor
Eddy and Tristan guides of our tour.
Edgy and Tristan were very knowledgable on Lord of The Ring film and about the director. They both were very passionate and made the trip fun by having a quiz. Both were friendly and interested about knowing about us.
Response from the operator: Thanks for the lovely review. Eby and Tristan enjoy sharing the stories behind the films and a bit of Middle earth lore. Glad the quiz and good chats along the way made the trip fun.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour. Benji was...
Great tour. Benji was gregarious and a great host. Very knowledgeable on LOTR. He tailored the tour to also include the general Queenstown history and surrounds. Got to see all the postcard locations and had a great time.
via Viator
Lord of the Rings fans, choose it, choose it, choose it!
Shane was very patient and knowledgeable, and told us a lot of behind-the-scenes stories about the movie! We visited many filming locations, and Shane took out the corresponding stills to explain and take photos at each location! At the end, there were even replicas of the original props that you could cosplay and take photos with! You can even see the original script and filming schedule! The experience was very good! In addition, if you are not a fan of the Lord of the Rings, you can still enjoy a lot of scenery, and Shane will also recommend delicious restaurants in Queenstown. All in all, if your English is good, you can go for this tour
Response from the operator: I'm absolutely thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing time on the tour! It was my pleasure to share all those behind-the-scenes stories and guide you through the stunning filming locations. I'm glad you enjoyed the stills and replicas – it's always fun to bring a bit of Middle Earth to life! And Queenstown has so much to offer, doesn't it? I'm glad I could help enhance your experience with restaurant recommendations. Thank you so much for your kind words and for choosing the tour. It means a lot to me. I hope to see you again soon for another adventure!
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $2000 to $2300
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Southern Trails - Independent Lord of the Rings Sightseeing Tours, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.5.
See everything Southern Trails - Independent Lord of the Rings Sightseeing Tours runsWhy this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Queenstown.
How much does Private Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour cost?
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Prices start at $2000 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Queenstown usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour take?
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Plan for about 10 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 Queenstown is not rushed.
Is Private Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Queenstown, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Lord of the Rings Full Day 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 Private Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour?
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Around 2 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 Queenstown 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 Queenstown and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Lord of the Rings Full Day 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 Queenstown 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 Queenstown?
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On Outty we rank every Queenstown experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown, Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 Wineries. 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 Queenstown?
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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 Queenstown?
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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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