Tolkien's North Island

Drive in a Southern direction this morning from Auckland to the small Western coastal village of Raglan.

This afternoon, you'll drive from Raglan to the Waitomo region for an explorative journey through the extensive cave system.

Enjoy this stop-over visit at the sensational Waitomo Caves, an extensive cave system where the local glow worm population flourish providing some very intriguing sightseeing.  A guide will accompany you over this 45 minute tour, where you can marvel at the spectacular visual effects created by the glow-worms.  Travel through the deep limestone shaft known as the Tomo, whilst your guide delivers some informative and entertaining commentary, stories, and cultural legends regarding this subterranean, natural living masterpiece.  Your visit concludes with a brief, yet remarkably boat trip through the Glow-worm Grotto.

Hop into your rental vehicle and make your way from your Farm-stay accommodations in Waikato to the small village of Hobbiton near Matamata.

Today you'll drive to visit the first filming location at "the Hobbiton Movie Set", a splendid little farmland location near Matamata. Upon arrival you'll be met by your guide whom will take you through the set area and provide insight regarding the fascinating stories and details from the movie set. Experience Middle-earth, at the bucolic setting used for "The Shire" during this "Lord of the Rings Film Location Tour". Your tour begins with a drive through the picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm, providing you with spectacular views across the Kaimai Ranges. During this exploration of this ten acre site you'll visit a number of location created for these epic films. Enjoy seeing just how "movie-magic" can transform this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland into a fantastic and magical world from one of the greatest films ever produced.

After the morning touring, you'll drive to Rotorua to check into your hotel.

This morning you'll depart your Rotorua hotel and drive towards Mount Ruapehu located with the Tongariro National Park. 

During your drive to Tongariro National Park, you`ll have the opportunity to marvel at some of New Zealand`s rugged, volcanic beauty.  As you approach the park-lands you may get that `deja-vu`sensation, almost as if you`ve seen this lively landscape before.  Well, this is in the location chosen to represent the region of "Mordor" which you will have the opportunity to breifly explore during this "Lord of the Ring Film Location Tour."  Did you recognise "Mount Doom?"

Encompassing the North Island’s central volcanic plateau, Tongaririo National Park is a huge domain for outdoor adventure.  During summer walkers and trampers traverse its ruggedly alluring landscape, while icy rivers provide challenges for white water rafting and canoeing.  In winter, when the mountains are smothered in snow, it becomes the North Island’s premier ski resort.  The park is dominated by its three active volcanoes – Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro.

Today you will recommence your exploration of the dynamic New Zealand terrain as you journey into the Mount Ruapehu area during this "Lord of the Ring Film Location Tour." During this tour you will explore the filming locations used to represent "Mordor", "Ithilien" and "the Plains of Gorgoroth" before heading back to your accommodation.

This morning you will depart the Tongariro National Park and head towards the Kiwi capital of Wellington.  En-route, you can stop for some rafting through the gorges of the Rangitikei River, which you will have the opportunity to explore during this "Lord of the Rings Film Location Tour." This location would represent the "River Anduin" from the films. Later visit Waitarere Forest, which in "Middle-Earth" represented the "Trollshaw Forest" and "Osgiliath Wood."  Before arriving in Wellington a stop at the Otaki Gorge is well worth a visit. Your "Lord of the Rings Film Location Tour" continues as you visit some of the areas where scenes were shot to represent the "Shire" and "Lothlorien" as well as parts from the "Battle of Pelennor Fields." Upon your arrival into Wellington you'll check into your hotel and have the evening at leisure to enjoy freely.

Follow in the footsteps of the characters from the Tolkiens fellowship series as you enjoy this "Lord of the Ring Flim Location Tour" where you will mimic the routing of the "Hobbits, Dwarfs, Elves and Men." Wellington is one of the many, but most complete "Lord of the Rings Film Locations" boasting some 25 different scenes in and around the greater Wellington area. This tour includes an "Orc" sized picnic lunch, a souvenir map and some thorough explainations and movie backround from a "Lord of the Rings Film Location" expert guide.  A lot of ground is covered during this tour, with plenty of time to explore.  All of the "Lord of the Ring Film Location" guides are fun, and knowledgeable and commence interactive conversations with all whom are on the tour.

Begin this footsteps tour this morning, spenting a fair bit of time exploring the city amongst the various locations used during the filming including "Mount Victoria" and the "Greenbelt."  You'll then drive into the southern suburbs of Seatoun, Miramar and the South Coast where many of the big name stars reside.  A stop at Weta Cave and Scorch-o-Rama cafe (own expense) on the Wellywood Coast is also in the schedule.

This afternoon is spent exploring the Hutt Valley making stops at the Hutt River and Harcourt Park.  This "Lord of the Rings Film Location" would represent in "Middle-Earth" as the "Great River Anduin", the "Gardens of Isengard" and the land of the famous "Orc Trees." A visit to the Kaitoke Regional Park is planned specifically to enjoy a famous picnic lunch under the elevish trees of the "Rivendell."

A private vehicle with driver will provide a transfer between the airport and hotel.