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Locally Family Owned & Operated

Trusted LOTR Experts Since 2005

Access to Exclusive Filming Locations

Epic movie locations.

Lord of the Rings Tours, Queenstown & Glenorchy

Journey with our expert guides deep into Middle Earth and explore unique Lord Of The Rings locations around Queenstown and Glenorchy.

Feel the LOTR trilogy come to life as you visit the jaw-dropping landscapes that inspired Peter Jackson’s film locations for The Lord Of The Rings movies & Hollywood blockbusters like X-men Origins, Wolverine & The Chronicles of Narnia.

You’ll be granted exclusive access to the awe inspiring scenery of Arcadia Station & Paradise, right in the heart of the Southern Lakes region.

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Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour

Journey deep into middle earth and explore lord of the rings locations from queenstown to glenorchy. on your lotr guided tour, you will discover breathtaking and iconic lotr scenery from isengard, amon hen, lothlorien forest, the misty mountains and ithilien.

Encounter stunning ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier carved valleys as you roam through UNESCO World Heritage Listed – Mt Aspiring National Park.

Explore the unique flora and fauna and get up close to birdlife and animals. Discover the staggering beauty of the Dart River Valley, Paradise and Arcadia Station.

Take the opportunity to dress up in Lord of the Rings costume in Lothlorien Forest. Come away with amazing photos and lasting memories from this unforgettable experience.

Tour Details

Morning or afternoon tea included.

BOOK ONLINE NOW

LORD OF THE RINGS TOUR INCLUSIONS

We are the only company with access to the actual filming locations on private land for; the hobbit, lord of the rings, x-men origins: wolverine and the chronicles of narnia: prince caspian. don’t miss out, book today .

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

As a local family we take pride in each and every tour.

Light morning/ afternoon tea inc.

This is morning or afternoon tea normally around 10.15am or 3.30pm.

SMALL GROUPS IN COMFORT

Small personalised groups per guide / vehicle – our vehicles are 4WD with forward seats

AWESOME  VALUE

One of the very best value tours you’ll find.Adult $189 Child $99 (5-14yrs)

OPTIONAL COSTUME DRESS UP

Pretend you are a LOTR star, dress up in capes and re-enact sword play in Lothlorien forest.

INTERPRETATION BOOKLET

We have a booklet with our full commentary in both English and Chinese

ACCOMMODATION PICK UP

We pick up at some central Queenstown accommodation locations.

DEPARTS QUEENSTOWN

Our tour departs Queenstown at 8.00am and 1.30pm

Intimate Tour Groups

Travel in small intimate groups with our local guides, who have a real passion and knowledge of the area.

Take in the diverse landscape of ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier carved valleys. Explore the unique flora and fauna and get up close to New Zealand’s unique birdlife.

BOOK YOUR TOUR

World Heritage Park

Experience some of the world’s most spectacular scenery in the Mt Aspiring World Heritage Park and along NZ’s most scenic highway; the Glenorchy Road.

You will come away with the most breathtaking scenic photos and magical memories. We are one of the few tour companies approved by the Department of Conservation to enter the World Heritage Park.

LET US SHOW YOU

Exclusive access to film locations in Arcadia Station

That’s right… Middle Earth is right on our doorstep and we have exclusive access to its heart. Join us in exploring filming locations on private land for; The Hobbit, Lord Of The Rings, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Stories and secrets will be shared by our guides who have great insight into the filming and the local areas involved.

TAKE ME THERE!

Travellers’ Choice 2022

Pure Glenorchy have always received fantastic ratings on Tripadvisor, thanks to our enthusiastic customers and passionate tour guides.

This year we are delighted to have been awarded the Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Award. Our Lord Of The Rings Tour was voted #8 in the Top Experiences category for the whole of New Zealand! The perfect reason to experience it for yourself…

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Pure Glenorchy – Pure New Zealand

Pure Glenorchy is one of the few companies to have DOC Concession and to be also Qualmark Silver Endorsed, meaning we deliver a genuine, constantly improving sustainable experience.

We are committed to keeping our environment pristine. We feel privileged to operate in such an untouched environment and adhere to strict environmental guidelines.

Explore the unique flora and fauna and get up close to birdlife and animals. Discover the absolute beauty of the Dart River Valley, Paradise and The Mt Aspiring National Park.

From Our Guests...

Talking to the guides joel and kate about the area, watching the dress up and having sword fights was my favourite part and the views were awesome – brilliant tour would have given it 7 stars if i could – thanks for the great time..

R Waugh, Tripadvisor

“Fantastic tour! Our guide picked us up from our hotel and made us feel at home immediately, James is a very entertaining guy full of heaps of info, enjoyed every moment with him. The tour and scenery is breathtaking it makes you remember parts of the movie and you can picture the scenes right where you’re standing. Dressing up in the costumes was great fun. Thank you James for a wonderful tour and for being a great host!”

Miranda, Australia

“Well worth the time. Our guides were well versed in the geography of the Lord of the Rings and were able to put what we saw into context. The natural beauty seen on the trip was an added bonus. 5 stars!”

Michael, TripAdvisor

“Thank you for taking our little group of six on an adventure. Being Lord of the Ring’s enthusiasts it was wonderful being part of where a lot of the scenes took place. As soon as I get home I am watching it again just knowing I was there. Loved getting dressed as Gandalf. Thank you for helping me personally as it was a little difficult for me to get around.”

Mary, Sydney

“Booked last minute with my partner and we had a GREAT time! Very knowledgable on LOTR and New Zealand landscape, culture etc. I recommend taking this tour even if you are not a huge LOTR fan since it is a smaller group, but the guides can answer any questions you have, so be ready to nerd out if you want to 🙂 ”

mnovasel, TripAdvisor

“Queenstown based tours are more heavenly than one can imagine. On the way to Glenorchy we come across the million dollar scene of the mountains and the blue water lake. You can spend a whole day photographing in Glenorchy. As we go to explore the various spots where Lord of the Rings was shot you get to reach Paradise too, a truely remarkable spot aptly named so. Overall experience was excellent.”

Aapen, India

Pure Glenorchy Scenic Lord of the Rings Tours

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Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

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Pure Glenorchy Scenic Lord of the Rings Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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• Lord Of The Rings Tour Full Day In Middle Earth

Lord of the Rings Tour - Full Day in Middle Earth

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Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour in Queenstown

• Ask a Question
• Half day Lord of the Rings tour in Queenstown
• Visit filming locations in Arrowtown, Gibbston, Glenorchy & Paradise
• Pose with authentic props & replicas
• Passionate and knowledgeable guides

Description

Enter the magical world of Middle Earth on a full day Lord of the Rings tour in Queenstown with Trails of Middle Earth. This (un)expected journey stands out as one of the best ways to discover Lord of the Rings locations in Queenstown, meticulously designed to cover the most iconic Middle Earth Queenstown filming sites. The full day adventure combines the Half Day in Middle Earth tour with an additional afternoon itinerary, led by expert guides with an in-depth knowledge of the Lord of the Rings Queenstown universe.

Your morning tour starts with breathtaking views at Skippers Canyon Lookout (weather permitting) followed by visits to Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley. Explore key LOTR locations such as the Ford of Bruinen, the Gladden Fields and the Pillars of the Kings. After a 1-1.5 hour lunch break in Queenstown, your afternoon adventure departs in a different bus, taking you on a scenic drive to Glenorchy and Paradise. Here, your Middle Earth Queenstown guide will point out iconic sites like Ithilien, Isengard, Beorn’s House, Lothlorien and Amon Hen.

The inclusion of morning and afternoon tea with snacks ensures a comfortable journey on both parts of this full day Lord of the Rings tour in Queenstown. Along the way, there will be plenty of opportunities to pose for photos using authentic, licensed replica props, with Trails of Middle Earth boasting the largest selection available. The full day Lord of the Rings tour also offers exclusive access to copies of original scripts and production call sheets, making this one of the best Lord of the Rings tours in Queenstown.

Trip Includes

• Full day guided Lord of the Rings tour
• Knowledgeable tour guides
• Morning & afternoon tea with snacks
• 1-1.5 hour lunch break in Queenstown (lunch not included)
• Authentic replica props for photo opportunities
• View copies of original scripts & production call sheets
• Allow a full day (approx 10 hours)
• 8:00am (returns by 6:00pm)
• Pick up from outside the Station building in central Queenstown (corner of Shotover and Camp Street)
• Operates daily all year

Other Information

• Child rates apply (5-14yrs)
• Please dress according to the weather and bring shoes suitable for walking, comfortable clothes, camera, sunscreen and sunglasses
• Unfortunately, these tours are not wheelchair accessible as the buses do not have a specialised lift
• This tour includes a 1-1.5 hour lunch break in Queenstown (lunch not included) before switching buses for the afternoon tour
• Please note, order of locations visited can be changed due to availability or weather conditions

Normal Retail Prices

• Adult: NZD$358.00
• Child (5-14yrs): NZD$188.00

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All prices shown in NZD$.

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Trails of Middle Earth

The Lord of the Rings Sightseeing Experts/ NERDS!

Queenstown, New Zealand

Epic Adventures to the Real Middle Earth and Back Again

We’ll take you to the original film locations and put YOU in the scene while narrating humorous and intriguing tales from the time of filming. Join us for your personalised journey through the real Middle Earth.

Epic Scenery

Experience in person the panoramic wonders that were used to portray Middle Earth in the movies. From mountain ranges to green pastures and bush walks. Discover New Zealand at its best.

Knowledgeable Guides

Our superior knowledge and passion are unsurpassed. In fact we call ourselves “ NERDS ” because of our obsession with everything “Rings”. We will wow you with stories, anecdotes and a wealth of background information of all things Lord of the Rings.

Authentic Props

We have the largest range of authentic licensed replica props including swords, axes, daggers, helmets and much more. We also have copies of the original scripts and production call sheets, adding so much more depth to your Middle Earth experience!

An introduction to Lord of the Rings Tours

Half Day in Middle Earth

Join us for our captivating half-day Lord of the Rings tour. Travel to locations used for filming the Lord of the Rings trilogy around the Queenstown region. See and experience spectacular landscapes featured in the films.

Full Day in Middle Earth

Gift Voucher

Give your friends and family an experience they’ll never forget! Purchase one of our Tour gift vouchers for them to redeem at their convenience. They then have the flexibility to choose a date that suits their schedule.

Private Tour – Half Day in Middle Earth

Your very own personal half-day Lord of the Rings tour. Travel to locations used for filming the Lord of the Rings trilogy around the Queenstown region. See and experience spectacular landscapes featured in the films.

Private Tour – Full Day in Middle Earth

Your very own personal tour that combines our Half Day in Middle Earth tour with a second half day adventure that explores even more epic Middle Earth landscapes and film locations. A must-have experience for die-hard LOTR fans.

Phone +64-3-428 2192

[email protected]

Lord of the Rings Full-Day 4WD Safari from Queenstown

Visit some of the most stunning filming locations featured in the lord of the rings movies as you embark on the lord of the rings full-day 4wd safari from queenstown. the misty mountains, the pillars of the king, isengard, lothlórien forest and the gladden fields are just a handful of the scenes you’ll experience along the way..

This is an adventure safari packed with breathtaking Lord of the Rings filming locations and thrilling 4WD action. Our guides will rediscover the magic of Tolkien’s Middle-earth and bring it to life with rare facts and thrilling tales.

• 4WD vehicle

Hobbit , Lord of the Rings

• Private tour , Public tour

From € 287 per person

• Pick-up area: Queenstown city centre
• Bennetts Bluff
• Dart River Valley / Isengard
• Paradise / Lothlórien
• 12 Mile Delta / Ithilien
• Kawarau River / Pillars of the Kings
• Arrowtown / Gladden Fields
• Arrowtown / Ford of Bruinen
• Skippers Canyon
• 4WD off-road adventure in a 6-seater Toyota Land Cruiser or a Land Rover Defender
• Visit filming locations from The Lord of the Ring, 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
• Travel the Skippers Canyon Road to Lighthouse Rock
• See spectacular views over Queenstown and the Wakatipu Basin
• River crossing & gold panning in the Arrow River

Tour details

Meeting point.

Queenstown city centre pick-up

Tour departs

Daily at 8:00 am (Jan – Dec)

Queenstown city centre drop-off

Live guide speaks

Max group size.

4 persons, 6 persons

Tour operator

Nomad Safaris

Cancellation policy

24 hours  or more before start: full refund less 5% booking fees. After that time or no-show: no refund .

Lunch Refreshments Costumes & Props Hotel pick-up Hotel drop-off

Things to bring

Bottle of water

Film series

Full description.

The Lord of the Rings Full-Day 4WD Safari from Queenstown covers much ground to deliver the signature scenes shot around the Queenstown region. Commencing at 8:00 am, the tour first travels west to Glenorchy and Paradise. We’ll return to Queenstown for lunch followed by Arrowtown and Gibbston before finishing in Skippers Canyon .

Refreshments of tea, coffee, hot chocolate accompanied by biscuits and cake are served both morning and afternoon and a light lunch is supplied in one of the Queenstown cafés.

The morning tour takes you on a scenic drive with many photo stops along the Wakatipu Lake to the small hamlet of Glenorchy . In the Paradise region of Mount Aspiring National Park, short walks on flat forest track are easy and the road is a mixture of seal and gravel.

On this part of the tour, we’ll visit filming locations including the Ithilien Camp, Oliphaunts, Caradhras, Lothlórien Forest, the Gap of Rohan, Isengard, Dunharrow and many backgrounds to the scenes.

The afternoon section is more rugged with short periods of rough ground and river crossings.  The tour visits Gibbston and Arrowtown and the Skippers Canyon Road which is high and windy. Short walks are on well-managed surfaces and the opportunity to pan for gold is beside the river on uneven ground.

On this section of the tour, you’ll discover where the Ford of Bruinen, the Gladden Fields, the Pillars of the Kings, the Exodus from Edoras, the Ambush of the Wargs and the Misty Mountains were filmed.

The Lord of the Rings Full-Day 4WD Safari from Queenstown will draw to a close as you depart Arrowtown to travel to Skipper’s Canyon and experience incredible views of the Wakatipu Basin and into the Canyon. Here you will see natural beauty, offering fantastic opportunities to capture some photos.

Locations (10)

1. pick-up area: queenstown city centre, 2. bennetts bluff.

3. Glenorchy

4. Dart River Valley / Isengard

5. Paradise / Lothlórien

6. 12 Mile Delta / Ithilien

7. Kawarau River / Pillars of the Kings

8. Arrowtown / Gladden Fields

9. arrowtown / ford of bruinen.

10. Skippers Canyon

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Lord of the Rings Day Tours From Queenstown

Many of the most iconic scenes in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy were shot in the Queenstown region.  We've picked out the best LOTR Tours to be found in Queenstown.

Pure Glenorchy

Pure Glenorchy, established 2005,  is a family owned and operated business taking visitors deep into Middle Earth. They are Department of Conservation concessionaires and is a Qualmark Endorsed Activity. Explore the stunning scenery of Mt Aspiring World Heritage National Park, the Dart River Valley and Paradise, and travel along the stunning Glenorchy Road - voted in the top 10 most s... Read More

Eco Wanaka Adventure's 'Misty Mountains' Heli Hike is a must for Lord of the Rings fans, and anyone wanting to admire panoramic views of the stunning scenery around Wanaka. The 4.5 hour guided tour includes three helicopter flights. The first landing on Fog Peak, allows visitors the chance to admire the views, which include Mount Aspiring and the Southern Alps as well as several sites used as l... Read More

Private Discovery Tours

Private Discovery Tours are small group specialists that offer wildlife and scenic tours in the stunning South Island scenery, with a more personalised service. Run by Charles Fraser and his team, visitors have the opportunity to get off the beaten track and explore the stunning landscapes around Queenstown, Glenorchy, The Catlins and Milford Sound. From the comfort of luxury four wheel driv... Read More

More 'Mini Guides' to Queenstown

Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour (Half Day)

Journey with us deep into middle earth and explore lord of the rings locations from queenstown to glenorchy.  on your lotr guided tour, you will discover breathtaking and iconic lotr scenery from isengard, amon hen, lothlorien forest, the misty mountains and ithilien.

Stories and secrets will be shared by local guides who have  great insight into the filming of LOTR  in Glenorchy and Queenstown.

Encounter stunning ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier carved valleys as you roam through World Heritage Listed –  Mt Aspiring National Park .

Explore the unique flora and fauna and get up close to birdlife and animals. Discover the absolute beauty of the Dart River Valley, Paradise and The Mt Aspiring National Park.

Take the opportunity to dress up in Lord of the Rings costume in Lothlorien Forest. Come away with amazing photos and lasting memories from this unforgettable experience.

Tour Details

Morning or afternoon tea included.

BOOK ONLINE NOW

NEW: EXCLUSIVE LOCATIONS ACCESS

We are the only company with access to the actual filming locations on private land for; the hobbit, lord of the rings, x-men origins: wolverine and the chronicles of narnia: prince caspian. don’t miss out, book today .

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

As a local family we take pride in each and every tour.

FREE DRINKS & SNACKS

This is morning or afternoon tea normally around 10.15am or 3.30pm.

SMALL GROUPS IN COMFORT

Small personalised groups per guide / vehicle – our vehicles are 4WD with forward facing seats

AWESOME  VALUE

One of the very best value tours you’ll find.Adult $180 Child $99 (ages 5 – 14)

OPTIONAL COSTUME DRESS UP

Pretend you are a LOTR star, dress up in capes and re-enact sword play in Lothlorien forest.

INTERPRETATION BOOKLET

We have a booklet with our full commentary in both English and Chinese

ACCOMMODATION PICK UP

We offer picks up from some Queenstown accommodation locations. Get in touch

DEPARTS QUEENSTOWN

Our tour departs Queenstown at 8.00am and 1.30pm Corner of Shotover & Camp streets – Pls wait on the bench seats down from Marmolada Cafe

Pure Glenorchy – Pure New Zealand

Pure Glenorchy is one of the few companies to have DOC Concession and to be also Qualmark Silver Endorsed, meaning we deliver a genuine, constantly improving sustainable experience.

We are committed to keeping our environment pristine. we feel privileged to operate in such an untouched environment and adhere to strict environmental guidelines., from our guests..., talking to the guides joel and kate about the area, watching the dress up and having sword fights was my favourite part and the views were awesome – brilliant tour would have given it 7 stars if i could – thanks for the great time..

R Waugh, Tripadvisor

“Fantastic tour! Our guide picked us up from our hotel and made us feel at home immediately, James is a very entertaining guy full of heaps of info, enjoyed every moment with him. The tour and scenery is breathtaking it makes you remember parts of the movie and you can picture the scenes right where you’re standing. Dressing up in the costumes was great fun. Thank you James for a wonderful tour and for being a great host!”

Miranda, Australia

“Well worth the time. Our guides were well versed in the geography of the Lord of the Rings and were able to put what we saw into context. The natural beauty seen on the trip was an added bonus. 5 stars!”

Michael, TripAdvisor

“Thank you for taking our little group of six on an adventure. Being Lord of the Ring’s enthusiasts it was wonderful being part of where a lot of the scenes took place. As soon as I get home I am watching it again just knowing I was there. Loved getting dressed as Gandalf. Thank you for helping me personally as it was a little difficult for me to get around.”

Mary, Sydney

“Booked last minute with my partner and we had a GREAT time! Very knowledgable on LOTR and New Zealand landscape, culture etc. I recommend taking this tour even if you are not a huge LOTR fan since it is a smaller group, but the guides can answer any questions you have, so be ready to nerd out if you want to 🙂 ”

mnovasel, TripAdvisor

“Queenstown based tours are more heavenly than one can imagine. On the way to Glenorchy we come across the million dollar scene of the mountains and the blue water lake. You can spend a whole day photographing in Glenorchy. As we go to explore the various spots where Lord of the Rings was shot you get to reach Paradise too, a truely remarkable spot aptly named so. Overall experience was excellent.”

Aapen, India