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Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch

454 Reviews 4.83 out of 5 stars Based on 454 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 98% of reviewers
98% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Wellington, New Zealand
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from US$201.32 per person

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Elves, Hobbits, Dwarfs
Silver fern. National symbol of NZ
Here comes Gandolf.
Living the dream
Ready to see the Hobbit hide-a-way. Follow us.

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8 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

Enjoy a full day, all-inclusive adventure in Wellington, the home of middle-Earth. Visit some amazing locations from the Lord of the Rings movies, enjoy a delicious lunch and visit the famous Weta Workshop, where the films were created.

We are Wellington's original Lord of the Rings tour and have been operating since 2002. Formerly Rover Rings Tours [before Covid], Welly Rings Tours is proud to show you Wellington as Middle-earth. Our fans-turned-guides will share with you fascinating stories of the making of these movies that you likely won't hear anywhere else - mainly because some of our guides were actually there!

What's Included

  • Weta Workshop tour and a lunch feast fit for a Hobbit included in tour price
  • Pick up and drop off available direct from cruise ships - we've never missed a drop off
  • Owned and operated by genuine fans, several of whom worked on the films
  • Gratuities
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Be aware that pick up may be arranged up to 15mins before or after the scheduled departure time. This will be communicated to you 24-48 hours before your tour.For anyone arriving by cruise ship, we can pick-up and drop-off directly from the port. Please select Cruise Ship Port when booking and advise your ship name.Please be ready at the main entrance of your hotel unless otherwise informed - some hotel pick ups will involve meeting a few meters away so we can stop safely.Please note that we can't pick up from every hotel or AirBnBs around the suburbs. If your hotel is not listed, enter your own pick up location and we will contact you to advise the best place to meet. If you are staying outside Wellington City and plan to drive into town, we recommend parking at 230 Wakefield Street or at Te Papa Museum.

What To Expect

Weta Workshop

Delve into the heart of Wellywood and visit the Weta Workshop, a physical effects workshop who created all the props, armour, weapons, costumes, miniatures and prosthetics for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies.Learn the secrets of movie magic on a behind-the-scenes tour by a Weta employee, who will explain the creative process behind bringing these films to life.You'll also have chance to take photos with various characters and weapons, as well as treating yourself to a souvenir or two, if desired.
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1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Mount Victoria Lookout

Enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the harbour and city from the Mt Victoria lookout. Your guide will talk about the landmarks you can see from the top and help you take photos.Mt Victoria is always on the list of things to do in Wellington, so we thought we'd save you the trouble of walking up the hill to get there!
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Embassy Theatre (Pass By)

Drive past the Embassy Theatre that was used to host two world premieres of the Middle-earth movies - The Return of the King and An Unexpected Journey. Your guide will share stories and pictures of how Wellington was transformed literally into the middle of Middle-earth.
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Mount Victoria

Descend into the forested slopes of the nearby Outer Shire, where our expert guides will explain the process of film making and entertain you with stories of how the Lord of the Rings movies were brought to life. You will follow in the footsteps of Frodo and the Hobbits as they began their quest to destroy the One Ring. You will see the "shortcut to mushrooms", "get off the road" and hide from the Black Riders before fleeing to the Buckleberry Ferry. You will have the chance to recreate some of the most famous scenes from The Fellowship of the Ring and make your social media streams go crazy!
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Aston Norwood Gardens

Enjoy a feast fit for a Hobbit to recharge your batteries for more film locations in the afternoon
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Poet's Park

See a section of the Great River Anduin as the Fellowship make their way to Parth Galen
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Harcourt Park Disc Golf Course

Harcourt Park aka The Gardens of Isengard. Here you will see how this normal, everyday park was transformed into the scenes where Gandalf rode to Saruman seeking council and the wizards walked through the gardens discussing their situation. This is also where the orcs began felling the trees once it was revealed Saruman had turned to the dark side...
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kaitoke Regional Park

Kaitoke Regional Park, a stunning, thousand year old, temperate rain forest. This was used as the location for the beautiful Rivendell, the last homely house east of the sea. Here you will immerse yourself in the magical setting and learn how the area was transformed into Elrond's house, Frodo's bedroom and the bridge where Arwen and Aragorn share a kiss. You can release your inner Elf and snap a photo reenacting a famous Legolas image and then recreate the scene where Frodo leads the newly formed Fellowship towards Mordor by posing in front of the Rivendell gate tower which is the only Lord of the Rings replica structure in the whole of New Zealand outside of Hobbiton.You will also see a scene from the Fords of Isen, where Eomund was found by Eomer at the start of The Two Towers, and have a chance to cross a swing bridge and visit a giant 800-year-old native Rimu tree and learn something of New Zealand's flora and fauna.
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Not recommended for participants with walkers or limited mobility
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Wellington’s Original LOTR Experience – includes Weta and Lunch?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-2964001RRT

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.83
454 reviews

Average 4.83 out of 5 stars based on 453 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
390
4 stars
54
3 stars
6
2 stars
2
1 star
1

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Frequently Asked Questions (6)

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Wellington’s Original LOTR Experience – includes Weta and Lunch?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Weta Workshop tour and a lunch feast fit for a Hobbit included in tour price.
  • Pick up and drop off available direct from cruise ships - we've never missed a drop off.
  • Owned and operated by genuine fans, several of whom worked on the films.
  • Guaranteed drop off back to Cruise Ship on time. We haven't missed a drop off in 15 years.
  • Visit the best LOTR filming locations.
  • Bonus native forest walk in a 1000-year-old temperate rainforest.
  • Central Wellington pick up.
  • Expert guides with film industry experience.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 3..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Weta Workshop tour and a lunch feast fit for a Hobbit included in tour price
  • Pick up and drop off available direct from cruise ships - we've never missed a drop off
  • Owned and operated by genuine fans, several of whom worked on the films
  • Guaranteed drop off back to Cruise Ship on time. We haven't missed a drop off in 15 years
  • Visit the best LOTR filming locations
  • Bonus native forest walk in a 1000-year-old temperate rainforest
  • Central Wellington pick up
  • Expert guides with film industry experience
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for participants with walkers or limited mobility
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Lowest Price Guarantee

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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  • If you find a lower retail or prepaid rate for the same tour, offered on the same date, time and priced in the same currency as your original purchase, on any other website between the time you book on City Boat Tours and 48 hours before your trip starts, we will refund the difference.
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Free Cancellation

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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