Overview

Your Middle Earth journey begins in Christchurch where you join a full day tour to Edoras & the Misty Mountains. Handle movie replicas including Aragorn's Sword, Gandalf's Staff & Gimli's Axe. Then, drive to Lake Tekapo to explore the Mt Cook region before driving to picturesque Queenstown to join a full day tour visiting filming locations around Glenorchy & the Wakatipu Basin.

Itineraries

All itineraries can be amended or combined with other itineraries. Please advise amendments when requesting a quote.

Christchurch - Lake Tekapo - Queenstown

Map of 7 Day Southern Scenes Self Drive Tour
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Arrive Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch - Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo - Queenstown
At Queenstown
Full Day Safari of the Scenes Tour
Depart Queenstown

Day 1

Arrive Christchurch

Day 2

Christchurch

Day 3

Christchurch - Lake Tekapo

Travel Time: 3 hrs 10 mins

Distance: 256 kms

Day 4

Lake Tekapo - Queenstown

Travel Time: 4 hrs 40 mins

Distance: 365 kms

Day 5

At Queenstown

Day 6

Full Day Safari of the Scenes Tour

Day 7

Depart Queenstown

On your arrival in Christchurch you will be met by our representative and provided with your chosen car and documentation.

Two nights accommodation in Christchurch

Enjoy a tour to Lord Of The Rings filming locations in the Canterbury region. Visit the beautiful Mt Potts high country station, home of Mt Sunday. See how this peaceful mountain was transformed into Edoras in the film. Take a short walk to stand on the summit of Edoras as Eowyn did, and take in the breathtaking views. See exclusive behind the scenes photos of Edoras under construction, and the Misty Mountains area that formed the backdrop to Helms Deep. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch whilst on the tour, and handle movie replicas including Aragorn's Sword, King Theoden's Sword, Gimli's Axe, Gandalf's Staff & the Flag of Rohan.

Today travel the scenic route through Darfield, Rakaia Gorge and Geraldine; across the Canterbury Plains  to the picturesque town of Lake Tekapo. This afternoon is at leisure - visit the Earth & Sky Observatory, take a scenic flight over Mt Cook, or visit the Church Of The Good Shepherd & Collie Dog Memorial. 

Overnight accommodation in Lake Tekapo

Depart Lake Tekapo this morning and drive along the shores of Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook. Take a short walk in the area or join one of the sightseeing activities at the Hermitage Hotel. Choose from a Glacier Explorers boat cruise on the Tasman Lake to see the Tasman Glacier, ski plane flights, helicopter flights, or spend some time exploring the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Continue to Queenstown via the scenic Lindis Pass. 

Three nights accommodation in Queenstown

Two free days to enjoy the alpine resort of Queenstown. It's the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, Shotover Jet Boat ride, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It's also a destination for luxury experiences - gourmet food and wine, spa treatments and leisurely games of golf. Nearby is the former gold mining town of Arrowtown is a living, historic holiday destination, nestled beside the Arrow River.

Join a full day tour to Lord Of The Rings scenes in Queenstown today and discover why this beautiful region was chosen as one of the locations to portray Middle Earth. 

Option: Stay an Extra night in Queenstown

Take a full day tour to Fiordland National Park and Milford for a Scenic Cruise on magnificent Milford Sound. Picnic lunch included

This morning you are free to explore Queenstown before dropping off your car in the afternoon at Queenstown Airport and catching your flight home.

Day 1, Arrive Christchurch

Arrive Christchurch

On your arrival in Christchurch you will be met by our representative and provided with your chosen car and documentation.

Two nights accommodation in Christchurch

Day 2, Christchurch

Christchurch

Enjoy a tour to Lord Of The Rings filming locations in the Canterbury region. Visit the beautiful Mt Potts high country station, home of Mt Sunday. See how this peaceful mountain was transformed into Edoras in the film. Take a short walk to stand on the summit of Edoras as Eowyn did, and take in the breathtaking views. See exclusive behind the scenes photos of Edoras under construction, and the Misty Mountains area that formed the backdrop to Helms Deep. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch whilst on the tour, and handle movie replicas including Aragorn's Sword, King Theoden's Sword, Gimli's Axe, Gandalf's Staff & the Flag of Rohan.

Day 3, Christchurch - Lake Tekapo

Christchurch - Lake Tekapo

Travel Time: 3 hrs 10 mins

Distance: 256 kms

Today travel the scenic route through Darfield, Rakaia Gorge and Geraldine; across the Canterbury Plains  to the picturesque town of Lake Tekapo. This afternoon is at leisure - visit the Earth & Sky Observatory, take a scenic flight over Mt Cook, or visit the Church Of The Good Shepherd & Collie Dog Memorial. 

Overnight accommodation in Lake Tekapo

Day 4, Lake Tekapo - Queenstown

Lake Tekapo - Queenstown

Travel Time: 4 hrs 40 mins

Distance: 365 kms

Depart Lake Tekapo this morning and drive along the shores of Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook. Take a short walk in the area or join one of the sightseeing activities at the Hermitage Hotel. Choose from a Glacier Explorers boat cruise on the Tasman Lake to see the Tasman Glacier, ski plane flights, helicopter flights, or spend some time exploring the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Continue to Queenstown via the scenic Lindis Pass. 

Three nights accommodation in Queenstown

Day 5, At Queenstown

At Queenstown

Two free days to enjoy the alpine resort of Queenstown. It's the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, Shotover Jet Boat ride, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It's also a destination for luxury experiences - gourmet food and wine, spa treatments and leisurely games of golf. Nearby is the former gold mining town of Arrowtown is a living, historic holiday destination, nestled beside the Arrow River.

Day 6, Full Day Safari of the Scenes Tour

Full Day Safari of the Scenes Tour

Join a full day tour to Lord Of The Rings scenes in Queenstown today and discover why this beautiful region was chosen as one of the locations to portray Middle Earth. 

Option: Stay an Extra night in Queenstown

Take a full day tour to Fiordland National Park and Milford for a Scenic Cruise on magnificent Milford Sound. Picnic lunch included

Day 7, Depart Queenstown

Depart Queenstown

This morning you are free to explore Queenstown before dropping off your car in the afternoon at Queenstown Airport and catching your flight home.

Additional Information

Pricing

Cost per person

May to September 2019

 Twin/Double
Standard 3-3.5 Star Accommodation From AU$2,484* per person

* PLEASE NOTE *

Prices are estimates only, and are subject to availability and exchange rates when booking, seasonal or holiday price surcharges (such as Christmas/New Year and Easter); as well as special events that may be on. Please forward a request and we will be happy to forward a quote.

Car Hire

  • Car hire excess fees of up to NZ$3500 + GST applies. This will be imprinted on a credit card upon collecting the vehicle. Excess reduction options are available at an additional cost per day. 
  • Airport/Ferry pick up fee applies in some locations. This must be paid direct in New Zealand. 
  • Car parking fees may apply in some locations.

Payment

  • Deposit: $200 per person at time of booking
  • Full Payment: 60 Days before travel
  • Airfares (if applicable): Paid in full no more than 6 days after booking

Cancellation Charges

  • Cancellation Fees up to 100% can apply after booking. Extra deposits or full payment may be requested to cover these charges prior to booking.
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Includes

Includes:

6 nights accommodation

  • 2 Nights Christchurch
  • 1 Night Lake Tekapo
  • 3 Nights Queenstown

6 days car hire (CDAR Compact Auto: Toyota Corolla or Similar)

Lord Of The Rings Edoras tour

Full day Safari Of The Scenes tour

Options

Airfares

International flights can be included from Australia for all Australian residents.

Optional Extras

Explore Queenstown

Full Day tour to Milford Sound

From Queenstown around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Kingston, cross fertile farmlands to Fiordland with an interesting commentary on the many highlights. A break in Te Anau, through the Eglinton Valley, mountains tower above with dense beech forest in the valley, cross The Divide to the spectacular Hollyford Valley, through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound. Enjoy Milford Sound on this extended 2.5 hour nature cruise along the full length of the fiord on board either the Milford Mariner or Milford Wanderer. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and the wildlife. A nature guide provides fascinating interpretation throughout the cruise. Later return to Queenstown.

Shotover Jet

Shotover Jet is New Zealand’s most popular and instantly identified visitor activity. Nothing you have experienced will have you prepared for the excitement of a Shotover Jet ride. From the moment the accelerator hits the floor your adrenaline hits the roof as you speed through the towering, rocky canyons of the famous Shotover River. Your driver skillfully whips the boat past rocky outcrops, and skims around crags and boulders, rock faces blur in your peripheral vision, white crystals of water spray with every turn, you grip the safety rail for reassurance and let out a whoop of excitement as the driver spins the boat around in its own length and you experience the 'trademark' Shotover Jet 360° spin.

Glacier Explorer Cruise, Mt Cook

Accessing a part of the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, previously not visited by travelers, Glacier Explorers gives you an up close and amazing encounter with the Tasman Glacier icebergs on a glacial terminal lake. The ever changing ice face provides not only just a glacier tour but shows you a different perspective of the Alpine Backbone of the Southern Alps. You have a pleasant bus trip to the Tasman Valley, followed by an easy 1/2 hour walk through the National Park before boarding your MAC boat.

Scenic Helicopter Flight, Lake Tekapo

A “once in a lifetime” flight covering 200 kilometres of absolutely breathtaking scenery, the milky blue waters of Lake Tekapo, the Godley River, New Zealand’s highest mountains and snowfields with 12 major glaciers. Cross the Southern Alps, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, pass close by Mt Cook and the Caroline Face then over the Tasman Glacier and Lake Pukaki before returning to Lake Tekapo.

Highlights

Lord of the Rings Locations

Includes tours to the following filming locations:

  • Christchurch / Canterbury region:
    • Edoras
    • Helms Deep
    • Misty Mountains
  • Queenstown region:
    • Argonath / Pillars of the Kings
    • Battle of the Wargs
    • Ford of Bruinen
    • Forest of Lothlorien
    • Gladden Fields / Loss of The One Ring
    • Isengard
    • Ithilien Camp
    • Misty Mountains
    • Rohan

Lord of the Rings Edoras Tour

Journey to the remote & beautiful Mt Potts high country station, home of Mt Sunday. See how this peaceful mountain was transformed into Edoras, the capital city of the Rohan people in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Immerse yourself in the natural, unspoilt beauty of this breathtaking area with its sparkling clear lakes, glistening blue rivers and fresh, crisp mountain air.

Full Day Safari of the Scenes Tour

Join a scenic safari with breathtaking mountain & forest views along the shore of Lake Wakatipu towards Glenorchy & the Paradise Valley. Visit the filming locations for Isengard, the Ithilien Camp, Lothlorien forest and the Seat of Seeing / Battle of Amon Hen, plus filming locations from the Hobbit trilogy. This afternoon, travel across thrilling 4WD river crossings to the Wakatipu Basin and visit filming locations of Minas Tirith, the Misty Mountains, the Pillars of the Kings, the site of Isildur's Fall & the Ford of Bruinen.

Book now, pay later No credit card required

7 Day Southern Scenes Self Drive Tour

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