The 10 Best Movie & TV Tours in South Island, New Zealand

Dive into the history of our filming of the Lord of the Rings movie and subsequently The Hobbit. Some of our pilots were involved in the actual shoot. A must-do for fans of the books and movies.

Inclusions: Headsets, GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Exclusions:

As you journey from Christchurch, courtesy of Maossie Tour's extremely comfortable 4x6WD luxury bus, on your way to your destination - a fully-fledged working sheep station in New Zealand's high-country - take in the breath-taking scenery of the Southern Alps including sites from "Lord of the Rings" Middle Earth. Braided rivers, green pastures, forests, deer, horses, sheep, hidden tracks, and absolutely remarkable mountain scenery. Fully inclusive price includes pick up from major Christchurch city hotels, scrumptious special lunch, morning and afternoon tea, luxury coach travel including onboard WIFI and USB - and a lively, entertaining and highly knowledgeable tour guide who can relate all the history, myths and legends! As an option, be transported back in time enjoying enjoy a truly unique experience: a nostalgic but comfortable wagon ride pulled by some “gentle giants” - a team of Clydesdale horses - into the spectacular Aotearoa back-country highlands.

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), Lunch, Morning & Afternoon tea, coffee, snack, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Hotel drop-off and pick up (selected hotels only), Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities, Clydesdale Horse Wagon ride (optional extra)

• Take in the diverse landscape of an ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier-carved valleys. • Explore the unique flora and fauna and get up close to animals and birdlife. • Explore Gladden Fields, Ford of Bruinen and Argonath, Isengard, Amon Hen, the Misty Mountains and Ithilien in one day • Handle and photograph $15000 worth of weapon and costumes • View "Top Secret" items from the movies • Entertaining and Knowledgeable guides. Your guide will help you relive the action for your camera • Travel in small groups for a personal and interactive experience

Inclusions: Lunch, GST (Goods and Services Tax), Air-conditioned vehicle, Guided Tour

Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages, No Smoking

No visit to Queenstown is complete without a trip to picturesque Glenorchy, located about 50 minutes away, nestled on the northern shores of Lake Wakatipu, home to some of New Zealand’s best scenery and not to mention Middle‑earth magic. Whether you’re a Lord of the Rings fan or just want to see the absolutely amazing scenery Glenorchy has to offer. The tour visits numerous scenic locations and shares facts, stories and history about the region including Maori history. On tour enjoy time at the Glenorchy wharf and a drive through the quaint township before continuing on to beautiful Paradise, passing Diamond Lake and viewing Lord of The Rings film locations. A delicious kiwi style morning or afternoon tea is included and the opportunity to pose as a Lord of the Rings character while you’re there! Travel in style in luxury Mercedes vans with unique onboard videos and complimentary water and wifi.

Inclusions: Kiwi-style morning tea at a scenic location, Professional guide & live commentary onboard, Complimentary central Queenstown transfers, On board Kiwi music (download our Spotify playlist!), Complimentary NZ Greenstone, Maori storytelling and history, WiFi on board, Bottled water

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Take a journey with us deep into Middle Earth and explore unique Lord of the Rings filming locations from Queenstown to Glenorchy and Mt Aspiring World Heritage N.P. Feel the trilogy come to life as you visit the breathtaking and magical landscape that inspired Peter Jackson’s film locations for The Lord of the Rings movies. We are the only company with EXCLUSIVE ACCESS to the filming locations on Arcadia Station, where scenes from the Hobbit & Wolverine were filmed. Travel in small groups with 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 the New Zealand animals and birdlife. We are a Local family owned & operated tour company that offer the real experience. Operating since 2005! We are one of the few companies that hold Department of Conservation Concessionaire permits to access Mt Aspiring National park.

Inclusions: Free Delicious morning or afternoon picnic to satisfy a hungry hobbit!, Central Queenstown hotel pick up/ drop off, Umbrellas provided, Professional, friendly & local guides, Live Commentary, Optional Lord of the Rings costumes/ replica swords, Coffee and/or Tea, Snacks, Exclusive access to the Arcadia Station Filming locations in the Paradise valley!

Exclusions:

Our full one day tour of Lord of the Rings location visiting 12 Mile Delta, Glenorchy and Paradise Valley. Visit Ithilien, Amon Hen, Beorn's House, Fangorn Forest and Isengard. Enjoy a restaurant meal for lunch with view on Mt Earnslaw. Have fun with costumes and weapons from both movie trilogies and listen as the guides share behind the scenes knowledge!

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), Lunch, Driver/guide, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks, NO Smoking in National Parks

See the land where The Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed. After a complimentary hotel pickup, you will arrive and meet your helicopter pilot, who was the actual film pilot for the movies. You will fly along the Shotover River, over the mountain range from the opening scene of The Two Towers on the way to landing on a glacier alongside the Misty Mountains and get a sense of what it might be like to cross The Redhorn Pass. You will head across to Glenorchy via the Dart Valley and Mt Earnslaw to see the natural features you may better recognize as Isengard, Amon Hen and Lothlorien. This 70 min excursion will conclude with a drive back to your hotel in Queensland. 

Inclusions: Landing and facility fees, Hotel pickup and drop-off, 70 minutes of flight time, GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Exclusions: Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Immerse yourself in the magic of the Lord of the Rings trilogy on this 9-hour adventure to Edoras (Mount Sunday) from Christchurch. Explore with your guide and soak up breathtaking views from the peak of Edoras. Look over exclusive behind-the-scenes photographs of Edoras under construction. Pose for photographs with movie replicas such as Aragorn’s sword, Gimli’s axe and the flag of Rohan. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch with a glass of New Zealand sparkling wine. See for yourself how this tranquil mountainside was transformed into mysterious Edoras — the capital city of the Rohan people.

Inclusions: Picnic lunch with sparkling wine, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Gratuities

An adventure safari packed with breathtaking scenery, thrilling 4WD action whilst discovering LOTR filming locations. Visit the filming locations of Minas Tirith, Misty Mountains, the Pillars of the Kings (Argonath), Gladden Fields, the Ford of Bruinen and more. Travel an historic gold mining road, following the Arrow River, stop for an opportunity to try your hand at gold panning. Take in the spectacular panoramic views over the Wakatipu Basin.

Inclusions: Transport by 4WD vehicle with your driver/guide, Gold panning, Selected Queenstown Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Lunch

If you’re a movie fan or lover of beautiful landscapes, take the opportunity to see film locations from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ films on this Middle-earth tour from Queenstown. You’ll tour the countryside by 4WD and visit the locations where the Fortress of Isengard, Forest of Lothlorien and other famous Peter Jackson scenes were filmed. Discover why New Zealand is the movie directors’ choice for film locations, and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour.

Inclusions: Transport by 4WD vehicle, Driver/guide, Light refreshments (including tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cake and cookies), Selected Queenstown Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Gratuities