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Lord of the Rings 4WD Tours

Full Day Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour

Experience the ultimate Lord of the Rings adventure, combining Queenstown, Glenorchy and Paradise in one unforgettable day. Discover iconic Middle-earth filming locations, explore ancient forests, dress up with replica props, tackle 4WD river crossings and try your hand at gold panning.

Key Information

Duration

9.5 hours

Time

8:00am

Operates

Year-round, conditions permitting

Walking

Easy 15 minute walk

Highlights

  • Combines the Queenstown and Glenorchy LOTR tours in one epic day
  • Visit locations Isengard, Lothlórien, Fangorn Forest, Misty Mountains, Pillars of the Kings and more
  • Spectacular Glenorchy and Paradise scenery
  • Dress up with replica costumes and props
  • Off-road 4WD adventure and Arrow River crossings
  • Traditional gold panning
  • Skippers Canyon Road and Lighthouse Rock
  • Morning and afternoon tea plus lunch voucher
  • Behind-the-scenes filming stories throughout the day

What You’ll Experience

Travel in 4WD from Queenstown along the shores of Lake Whakatipu on one of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenic drives, surrounded by the Southern Alps, glacial valleys, braided rivers and native beech forest. Visit 12 Mile Delta then enjoy a 15 minute scenic walk. Journey through Glenorchy and Paradise to discover filming locations associated with Isengard, Fangorn Forest, Ithilien Camp and the Battle of Amon Hen. Travel towards Paradise with views of Mt Earnslaw, and venture into the Forest of Lothlórien. Stop for morning tea and dress up in replica cloaks, pose with movie props and let your local guide connect the landscapes to the movies with film imagery, behind-the-scenes stories and filming insights. Enjoy lunch and a short break back in Queenstown then head off for your afternoon adventure. View The Remarkables from Queenstown Hill, featured as the Misty Mountains, and look across to Deer Park Heights. Continue to Kawarau Gorge, filming location for the Pillars of the Kings (Argonath), before travelling towards Arrowtown and Gladden Fields, where the loss of the One Ring was filmed. Then it’s time to head off-road. Follow a historic gold-mining road alongside the Arrow River, crossing the river as you make your way towards the Ford of Bruinen. Stop for afternoon tea and try your hand at traditional gold panning. Then journey up Coronet Peak and travel along the famous Skippers Canyon Road towards Lighthouse Rock and take in spectacular panoramic views. For dedicated fans wanting the best possible Middle-earth experience in one day, this is The One.

Tour Options

Standard

Maximum 6 guests per 4WD vehicle.

Shared 4WD

Upgrade

Guaranteed window seat with maximum of 4 guests.

Guaranteed Window Seat

Private

Exclusive use of vehicle and guide for your group of up to 6 guests.

Exclusive 4WD + Guide

Private Tours

Looking for a More Personalised Experience?

Book this experience as a Private Tour and enjoy exclusive use of the 4WD vehicle and guide, private accommodation pick-up and a more personalised experience for up to 6 guests.

Book a Private Tour

Good to Know

What’s Included

Travel in a 6-seater 4WD Land Cruiser or Land Rover, experienced local guide, Queenstown and Glenorchy Lord of the Rings filming locations, replica props, 15 minute walk, off-road driving and river crossings, gold panning, morning and afternoon tea and a $20 cafe lunch voucher.

What to Bring

Water, camera or phone, sun protection, comfortable shoes and suitable clothing

Meeting Point

The main departure point is Nomad Safaris, 37 Shotover Street, Queenstown, with complimentary pick-up and drop-off also available from selected central Queenstown accommodation.

 

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This tour visits filming locations rather than movie sets. The original sets were removed after filming, but many of the landscapes featured in the trilogy remain instantly recognisable. The tour includes an easy 15 minute return nature walk on a formed trail; guests who prefer not to walk can remain in or near the vehicle. Itineraries may change due to weather, river levels, road or track conditions which may affect river crossings or access to some locations.

Please review our Disclosure of Risks and Weather Cancellation Policy and Terms & Conditions before booking.

Itinerary

  • Depart Queenstown at 8:00am and travel alongside Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy and Paradise, with scenic photo stops along the way.
  • Explore filming locations including Isengard, Lothlórien, Fangorn Forest and Ithilien Camp, with short walks on formed forest tracks.
  • Return to Queenstown for a one-hour lunch break, with a $20 café voucher included.
  • Continue through the Gibbston Valley and Arrowtown to visit the Pillars of the Kings, Gladden Fields and Ford of Bruinen.
  • Head off-road for Arrow River crossings when conditions allow, try traditional gold panning and enjoy afternoon refreshments.
  • Finish with dramatic views from the Skippers Canyon Road before returning to Queenstown.


Private Charters
If you’d like a more private trip, you can book a whole vehicle for your group, our maximum group size is 6.
4 Pax max
Choose this option to guarantee everyone a window seat. A maximum of four passengers per vehicle, each guest enjoys their own window seat. This differs from our standard tours, which accommodate up to six passengers per vehicle, and do not guarantee a window seat throughout the experience. Please note, our guides always encourage seat rotation so everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a different window view during the tour.
Will I see sets from Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit?
No. As part of gaining permission to film in the spectacular locations, the producers were required to dismantle all sets except for Hobbiton.
We specialise in showing you where specific scenes were filmed. Many of the movie locations are recognisable on our trips and your guide will give you insights into the stories behind them.
How long is the trip?
9.5 hours (1 hour for lunch in Queenstown).
Where will you pick up and drop off?
We will pick you up and drop you at any central accommodation or information centres.
Where will we have lunch?
A local café – Balls and Bangles ($20 voucher), 62 Shotover St
Is any walking involved?
Our Glenorchy trips include an easy 15 minute (return) nature walk to a LOTR scene over a formed trail. Clients have the option of staying in or near the vehicle if they wish at any of the stops on any of our tours.
What type of vehicles do you use?
6 seater 4WD Land Rover or Land Cruiser.
What are your child rates/ Child ages?
We do have child rates available. Infants (0-3 years) travel for free and children (4-14 years) travel at a discounted price.

LOTR Safaris Scenes
This was an amazing tour and very informative on some of the locations for the Lord of the Rings. Our tour guide, Justin, was excellent. He was funny and our little tour of five people had the best time. We got to dress up as hobbits and play with props from the movies. There was so much to see with beautiful scenery, babbling creeks, small waterfalls (it had rained a lot prior to our tour). We had a lovely morning tea at Chinamans Bluff. It was breathtaking. Thank you, Justin and Nomad Safaris for an unforgettable 50th birthday. -Deluwiel, Sydney, Australia via Trip Advisor
A Unique NZ adventure
Nomad's Safari of the scenes adventure around the Queenstown hinterland was a trip to remember. Don our very capable driver guided us through location scenes for Lord of the Rings with in-depth descriptions of set locations as well as taking us to spots inaccessible via our normal rental vehicles. Driving through Arrowtown river was a great highlight. The drive into the Skippers canyon wilderness was amazing. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wishes to experience something unique to this part of New Zealand. And again a big thanks to Don our driver and guide. - Con M, North Parramatta, Australia via TripAdvisor