Overview
Discover the magical side of New Zealand and find out why this magnificent country was chosen to portray Middle-earth. The Queenstown region featured prominently in the filming of the incredibly popular Lord of the Rings trilogy. Nomad Safaris operate two different Lord of the Rings tours.
Queenstown Lord of the Rings
The Queenstown Lord of the Rings tour combines a true 4WD tour with film locations from the LOTR trilogy.
Highlights
- See LOTR filming locations
- Travel the Skippers Canyon Road to Lighthouse Rock
- See spectacular views over the Queenstown area
- River crossing & gold panning in the Arrow River
Glenorchy Lord of the Rings
The Glenorchy Lord of the Rings tour is the perfect sightseeing trip with a spectacular scenic drive around Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy and through Paradise Valley, encompassing pivotal Lord of the Rings Scenes.
Highlights
- See filming locations from LOTR, The Hobbit, X-men Origins: Wolverine, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and others
- Bring the films to life - dress up and take photos in our replica props
- Visit Paradise Forest - the Forest of Middle-earth
Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour
Both Safaris of the Scenes can be done in one day for a truly exciting experience.
Highlights
- Visit filming locations from LOTR, The Hobbit, X-men Origins: Wolverine, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and others
- Bring the films to life – dress up and take photos in our replica props
- Visit Paradise Forest – the Forest of Middle-earth
- Travel the Skippers Canyon Road to Lighthouse Rock
- See spectacular views of Queenstown
- Gold pan in the Arrow River
Details
Departures Daily
Queenstown
- Start: Queenstown 8:15am or 1:30pm
- Duration: 4 hrs
Glenorchy
- Start: Queenstown 8:00am or 1:30pm
- Duration: 4.25 hrs
Full Day Lord of the Rings
- Start: Queenstown 8:00am
- Duration: 9.5 hrs
Start: Queenstown
Finish: Queenstown
Includes:
Queenstown Tour
- 6 seater 4WD Land Rover or Land Cruiser
- Gold Panning
- Refreshments
Glenorchy Tour
- 6 seater 4WD Land Rover or Land Cruiser
- Props & Costumes
- Refreshments
Pricing:
Cost per person
Half Day Queenstown or Glenorchy
6 Seater
- Adult: NZ$270
- Child: NZ135
4 Seater (Guaranteed forward facing seats)
- Adult: NZ$405
- Child: NZ$210
Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour
6 Seater
- Adult: NZ$550
- Child: NZ$280
4 Seater (Guaranteed forward facing seats)
- Adult: NZ$820
- Child: NZ$399
Private vehicle charter*
- Full-day: NZ$2,750/vehicle
- Half-day: NZ$1,350/vehicle
Child Age: 4-14 years inclusive
0-3 yrs free of charge
*Max 6 passengers/vehicle
Currency ConverterOverview
Discover the magical side of New Zealand and find out why this magnificent country was chosen to portray Middle-earth. The Queenstown region featured prominently in the filming of the incredibly popular Lord of the Rings trilogy. Nomad Safaris operate two different Lord of the Rings tours.
Queenstown Lord of the Rings
The Queenstown Lord of the Rings tour combines a true 4WD tour with film locations from the LOTR trilogy.
Highlights
- See LOTR filming locations
- Travel the Skippers Canyon Road to Lighthouse Rock
- See spectacular views over the Queenstown area
- River crossing & gold panning in the Arrow River
Glenorchy Lord of the Rings
The Glenorchy Lord of the Rings tour is the perfect sightseeing trip with a spectacular scenic drive around Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy and through Paradise Valley, encompassing pivotal Lord of the Rings Scenes.
Highlights
- See filming locations from LOTR, The Hobbit, X-men Origins: Wolverine, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and others
- Bring the films to life - dress up and take photos in our replica props
- Visit Paradise Forest - the Forest of Middle-earth
Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour
Both Safaris of the Scenes can be done in one day for a truly exciting experience.
Highlights
- Visit filming locations from LOTR, The Hobbit, X-men Origins: Wolverine, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and others
- Bring the films to life – dress up and take photos in our replica props
- Visit Paradise Forest – the Forest of Middle-earth
- Travel the Skippers Canyon Road to Lighthouse Rock
- See spectacular views of Queenstown
- Gold pan in the Arrow River
Queenstown Tour
The ideal trip for people that desire the excitement of an off road adventure but also feel like discovering exciting Lord of the Rings film sites. The Wakatipu Basin tour takes you to The Remarkables, which were used as a range of mountains right through the trilogy including the Misty Mountains. Travelling part way up this stunning mountain range you get a bird’s eye view onto Deer Park Heights, which was used for the refugees of Rohan and the Battle of the Wargs scenes.
Travelling from The Remarkables we drive to Kawarau Gorge where the filming took place for the Argonath, or Pillars of the Kings. Leaving Kawarau Gorge the tour continues on to Arrowtown where the loss of The One Ring at Gladden Fields was filmed. Near Arrowtown you will experience some real off road adventure. Following a historic gold mining road up the Arrow River you will cross the river to get to the Ford of Bruinen. At this point you can treat yourself to morning or afternoon tea and try your hand at a spot of gold panning.
From Arrowtown you journey to the entrance of Skippers Canyon where you will see amazing panoramic views of Wakatipu Basin and Skippers Canyon.
Glenorchy Tour
For Lord of the Rings enthusiasts, this is the trip that really takes you There and Back again. This scenic sightseeing tour includes recognisable film locations and spectacular natural scenery. The Glenorchy Safari of the Scenes takes you from Queenstown to Glenorchy stopping at breath-taking viewpoints along the route.
Past Glenorchy follow the Dart River to the magnificent filming site for Isengard. This setting presents dramatic views of Mt Earnslaw. Heading to Paradise you will discover the setting for the Forest of Lothlorien. Leaving Glenorchy and returning towards Queenstown you stop at 12 Mile Delta to discover the site of the Ithilien Camp.
The Safari of the Scenes - Glenorchy also includes scenes from Xmen Origins: Wolverine, and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
Cost per person
Half Day Queenstown or Glenorchy
6 Seater
- Adult: NZ$270
- Child: NZ135
4 Seater (Guaranteed forward facing seats)
- Adult: NZ$405
- Child: NZ$210
Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour
6 Seater
- Adult: NZ$550
- Child: NZ$280
4 Seater (Guaranteed forward facing seats)
- Adult: NZ$820
- Child: NZ$399
Private vehicle charter*
- Full-day: NZ$2,750/vehicle
- Half-day: NZ$1,350/vehicle
Child Age: 4-14 years inclusive
0-3 yrs free of charge
*Max 6 passengers/vehicle
Queenstown Tour
The ideal trip for people that desire the excitement of an off road adventure but also feel like discovering exciting Lord of the Rings film sites. The Wakatipu Basin tour takes you to The Remarkables, which were used as a range of mountains right through the trilogy including the Misty Mountains. Travelling part way up this stunning mountain range you get a bird’s eye view onto Deer Park Heights, which was used for the refugees of Rohan and the Battle of the Wargs scenes.
Travelling from The Remarkables we drive to Kawarau Gorge where the filming took place for the Argonath, or Pillars of the Kings. Leaving Kawarau Gorge the tour continues on to Arrowtown where the loss of The One Ring at Gladden Fields was filmed. Near Arrowtown you will experience some real off road adventure. Following a historic gold mining road up the Arrow River you will cross the river to get to the Ford of Bruinen. At this point you can treat yourself to morning or afternoon tea and try your hand at a spot of gold panning.
From Arrowtown you journey to the entrance of Skippers Canyon where you will see amazing panoramic views of Wakatipu Basin and Skippers Canyon.
Glenorchy Tour
For Lord of the Rings enthusiasts, this is the trip that really takes you There and Back again. This scenic sightseeing tour includes recognisable film locations and spectacular natural scenery. The Glenorchy Safari of the Scenes takes you from Queenstown to Glenorchy stopping at breath-taking viewpoints along the route.
Past Glenorchy follow the Dart River to the magnificent filming site for Isengard. This setting presents dramatic views of Mt Earnslaw. Heading to Paradise you will discover the setting for the Forest of Lothlorien. Leaving Glenorchy and returning towards Queenstown you stop at 12 Mile Delta to discover the site of the Ithilien Camp.
The Safari of the Scenes - Glenorchy also includes scenes from Xmen Origins: Wolverine, and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
