Tour 8 Day Discover Middle Earth

Guide

English commentary on tourist coaches and local guides on activities. Please note that there is no commentary on the coach journey from Rotorua to Wellington.

Accommodation

2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Rotorua. 2 nights at a 3-star hotel in Wellington. 3 nights at a 3-star hotel in Queenstown. This accommodation can be upgraded - contact us for more information.

Others

Hobbiton Movie Set from Rotorua. Maori Village Concert & Dinner. Te Puia Maori Arts & Crafts. Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. Wellington Lord of the Rings full day tour. Safari of the Scenes Glenorchy tour Real Journeys Milford Sound scenic cruise.

Meals

3 Lunches. 1 Dinner.

Transport

Coach throughout tour. Flight from Wellington to Queenstown

Not included:

Others

Tipping. Other meals, snacks and drinks. Pre and post tour accommodation. Single supplement (Mandatory).

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included.

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Auckland To Rotorua Via Waitomo Caves And Te Puia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Auckland To Rotorua Via Waitomo Caves And Te Puia

Auckland to Rotorua including Waitomo and Rotorua Experience

On this tour, you will be picked up from the hotel in a comfortable mini-bus and driven through the stunning Waikato countryside on a fully guided journey to Waitomo Caves and Te Puia Geothermal Park.

During the journey to Waitomo, you will encounter New Zealand’s longest river, beautiful mountains, and see several different farm animals along the way. Once in Waitomo, you will explore the ancient and amazing caves, with their many different cave formations including Stalactites, Stalagmites, and Lime Columns, before descending even further underground for your glowworm experience. Board your glowworm boat for a cruise on the Grotto River with thousands of glowworms glittering above your head. Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a must-see for any traveller. Arriving at your second feature destination, Te Puia, you will receive a fully guided tour to best experience the geothermal and cultural wonders including Pōhutu Geyser, Māori Architecture, The National Māori Arts School, geothermal craters, geothermal events, and even the chance to view a Kiwi bird in the Kiwi viewing house.

Continue your adventure with another fully guided journey south to Rotorua, with many more attractions to see along the way, including hydro dams, rivers, and lots more animals. Once in Rotorua, you will be guided past many of its famous and historical sites, including Lake Rotorua, The Government Gardens, Blue Baths, Thermal Springs, and Polynesian Spa.

Maori Evening Cultural Experience

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) –blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

An evening at the Maori Village will give you an awe-inspiring introduction to the indigenous Maori culture. Marvel at the beautiful bush setting and see warriors in traditional dress who paddle an ancient warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream while trout and eels swim beneath the surface. Enjoy a traditionally cooked hangi meal and round your evening off with a spectacular cultural performance that tells the story of the Maori people, their past, carvings, and ta Moko -Tattoo art. Be captivated by the displays of weaponry and combat and be amazed by the spine tingling Haka finale. Truly an experience to remember.
Day 2 Day 2: Some Free Time In Rotorua Before Heading Off To Hobbiton Village
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Some Free Time In Rotorua Before Heading Off To Hobbiton Village

Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the world’s most active volcanic regions. Relax at Hells Gate or the Polynesian Spa, or if you prefer to start your day with adrenalin pumping through your veins, you could try a jetboat ride, zipline, or one of the many mountain bike trails Rotorua is famous for.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Rotorua

Setting out from Rotorua, your Hobbiton Movie Set tour starts with a scenic drive across the Kaimai Ranges to Matamata, a small town in the Waikato region known for its thoroughbred industry and dairy farming. Along the way, your local driver guide will provide informative commentary and share stories about the region and its history.

Just outside of Matamata is the private working farm that was transformed into The Shire for the award-winning The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. The home of Tolkien’s beloved hobbits Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin has been preserved since filming wrapped, and now draws visitors from around the world.

Take a two-hour guided tour of the movie set and learn how this picturesque farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. Your guide will show you Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Party Tree, the Mill and many other structures from the movies. After your Hobbiton movie set tour, you will hop back on the GreatSights coach and retrace your steps back to Rotorua.
Day 3 Day 3: Rotorua To Wellington, The Coolest Little Capital In The World
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Rotorua To Wellington, The Coolest Little Capital In The World

Rotorua Accommodation to Rotorua Intercity Depot

You will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to Rotorua Intercity Coach Depot.

Rotorua to Wellington by InterCity Bus (approximately 9hrs)

Your coach journey from Rotorua to Wellington takes you via the township of Taupō and New Zealand’s largest lake. The lake itself is actually a gigantic volcanic caldera formed during one of the worlds largest ever eruptions. Skirting Tongariro National Park, one of New Zealand’s three world heritage sites and clouds permitting you can see the 2,500 metre peak of the still volcanically active Mt. Ruapehu. You might recognise the symmetrical shape of Mt. Ngauruhoe as this was used as the scenery of Mt. Doom in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Heading south you pass through the rural towns of Taihape, Mangaweka and Bulls before arriving on the Kapiti Coast, with its coastal seaside towns of Paraparaumu, Paekakariki and Plimmerton. The Kapiti Coast leads into Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. Wellington sits on a wonderful deep natural harbour and is surrounded by bush clad hills.

Private transfer Wellington train station to hotel

You will be met when your coach arrives into the Wellington train station and transferred to your hotel.
Day 4 Day 4: A Full Day Lord Of The Rings Focussed Tour
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: A Full Day Lord Of The Rings Focussed Tour

Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour

One of the most comprehensive Lord of the Rings tours available, the Wellington Rover full day tour encompasses the best filming locations in the Wellington Region for a truly unforgettable experience. The morning is spent exploring the city locations of Mount Victoria for spectacular views of the harbour and the Greenbelt with a short walk through the Outer Shire. You will then drive the southern suburbs, including Seatoun, Miramar and the South Coast to take in the Bree and Dunharrow locations and a stop at the incredible Weta Studios to see the amazing behind the scenes magic. Later In Kaitoke Regional Park you will enjoy a picnic lunch under the elvish trees of the Rivendell filming location.
Day 5 Day 5: Today You Fly To Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Today You Fly To Queenstown

Private transfer Wellington hotel to Airport

You will be collected from your Wellington hotel and transferred to the airport.

Flight from Wellington to Queenstown (Included)

PLEASE NOTE: Domestic air travel in New Zealand is in economy class. Baggage limits are typically 1 7kg carry on item and 1 x 23kg item per person and excess baggage charges may apply. Domestic airfares once issued are non refundable. Changes can be made to the flight time and date by paying a service fee and the difference in the original airfare cost and the new airfare cost. These terms and conditions are stipulated by Air New Zealand and a full copy will be attached to your electronic air tickets. Please check with us at the time of booking if you have concerns.

Private Transfer Queenstown Airport to Accommodation

On arrival into Queenstown domestic airport you will be met from your flight and a transfer will deliver you to your accommodation.
Day 6 Day 6: Full Day Tour Into Milford Sound Including Cruise
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Full Day Tour Into Milford Sound Including Cruise

Milford Sound Nature Cruise with return luxury coach transfers from Queenstown

Onboard a Real Journeys luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown, you will enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. After a morning tea break in Te Anau, where you have the option of purchasing refreshments, the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. On reaching Milford Sound, you board the Milford Mariner for a leisurely two-hour cruise of the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife with extensive commentary by the onboard nature guide.
Day 7 Day 7: Take A 4Wd Lord Of The Rings Safari Than Free Time In Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Take A 4Wd Lord Of The Rings Safari Than Free Time In Queenstown

Safari of the Scenes

For those keen on the Hobbit and Lord of The Rings films, come with us for an unexpectedly delightful journey. In safari-equipped 4WD vehicles, you will be taken on a true off-road adventure. Experienced guides will take you on a breathtaking excursion through diverse scenery around the Wakatipu Basin. See historic Arrowtown and go over the Arrow River, as well as experiencing the truly remarkable views of the lake and mountain surround from the Skippers Canyon Saddle.
Day 8 Day 8: Today Return To Christchurch Via Mt Cook National Park And Lake Tekapo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Today Return To Christchurch Via Mt Cook National Park And Lake Tekapo

Queenstown to Christchurch via Mount Cook

This small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with the famous Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and Tasman Glacier. The ultimate way to get from Queenstown Christchurch. Led by famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

8 days tour

8 Day Discover Middle Earth

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 8 Day Discover Middle Earth

Day 1: Auckland To Rotorua Via Waitomo Caves And Te Puia

Day 2: Some Free Time In Rotorua Before Heading Off To Hobbiton Village

Day 3: Rotorua To Wellington, The Coolest Little Capital In The World

Day 4: A Full Day Lord Of The Rings Focussed Tour

Day 5: Today You Fly To Queenstown

Day 6: Full Day Tour Into Milford Sound Including Cruise

Day 7: Take A 4Wd Lord Of The Rings Safari Than Free Time In Queenstown

Day 8: Today Return To Christchurch Via Mt Cook National Park And Lake Tekapo

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