10-Hour Full Day, Lunch Not Included

Full Day Arrowtown and Glenorchy Lord of the Rings Film Locations

★ 5.0 111 reviews

from $231.50 per person

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Duration: 10 hours
Meeting point: Camp Street, Queenstown
Cancellation: Cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
Run by: Southern Trails - Independent Lord of the Rings Sightseeing Tours

Overview

This ten-hour day trip pairs the Queenstown area's Lord of the Rings locations with a run out to Glenorchy and Paradise, using a meeting point at 43 Camp Street in central Queenstown. The route stitches together stops around Arrowtown, Skippers Canyon lookout territory, Gibbston, Lake Hayes and Twelve Mile Delta, then follows the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road to Glenorchy itself and on to Paradise. Along the way the guides match scenes from the films to the actual landscapes, holding up stills at the spots where they were shot.

A large part of the appeal is the prop collection. Southern Trails carries replica swords, axes, daggers and helmets, plus costumes to dress up in, and copies of original scripts and production call sheets that travellers can look through. Reviews frequently mention these props and paperwork as the thing that sets the tour apart.

It works best for moderate fans rather than purists only. Several reviewers describe themselves as casual viewers or non-fans and still enjoyed the day, since the scenery carries the trip on its own. One limit appears in the feedback. The day is effectively two half-day tours joined end to end, so some commentary and prop photo stops repeat. Travellers with children under 5 cannot join; families with younger kids are directed to a private tour instead.

Where this tour sits among 5 tours in Lord Of The Rings Scenic Tours listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Morning Tea Picnic, Optional Costumes$105.28
Mercedes Van, Wi-Fi and Maori Stories$107.24
Small Group, Twelve Mile Delta First$116.42
Isengard Finish, Tea and Costumes$124.26
10-Hour Full Day, Lunch Not Included (this tour)$231.50

What's Included

Included

Photos with authentic props, plus costumes to dress up in
Coffee and/or Tea

Not Included

Lunch

Itinerary

Meet in QueenstownMeet at 43 Camp Street, on the corner of Camp and Shotover Street at the Station Building, by the wooden benches where the tour buses stop. Start time is 08:00, and the day runs about 10 hours total, ending back at the same point.
Skippers CanyonA 20-minute stop, free to enter, opening the day with canyon country.
Arrowtown and GibbstonOne hour in Arrowtown and 15 minutes in Gibbston.
Lakes and Bob's CoveLake Hayes for 25 minutes, a Lake Wakatipu viewpoint for 10 minutes, then 40 minutes on the Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove track. There is one walk on uneven ground where those unable to walk may wait up to 20 minutes.
Queenstown lunch breakAn hour and 30 minutes back in Queenstown, which reviews describe as a well-timed lunch stop. Lunch is not included.
Glenorchy Road and GlenorchyOne hour and 40 minutes travelling the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, then 20 minutes in Glenorchy itself.
Paradise and return45 minutes in Paradise, the final film location stop, before the return to Queenstown.

What To Expect From The Tour

The day is long, outdoors in variable weather, and built around photo stops, short walks and prop fun rather than hiking.

$231.50from, per person

10 hoursduration

5.0across 111 guest reviews

11guests at most

Fitness and walking. Moderate physical fitness is required, and the tour is not advised for anyone who cannot manage more than 20 minutes on uneven ground. There is one walk where less mobile travellers may wait up to 20 minutes. Otherwise the pace is stop-and-go rather than strenuous.
Props and scripts. Expect the replica swords, axes, daggers, helmets and costumes to come out at photo stops. Several reviewers also singled out the original scripts and production call sheets as a highlight, so allow time to look through them.
Fan or not. Reviewers who were not Lord of the Rings fans still enjoyed the scenery and the guides. That said, several said you get more from the day if you know the films, and the extended cuts help you recognise locations like Rohan, Isengard and the Misty Mountains.
Food and drink. Coffee or tea is included. Lunch is not, and the tour breaks for about an hour and 30 minutes in Queenstown around midday, so plan to buy lunch there.
Group size. The group is capped at 11 travellers. Reviews mention trivia games used to get the group interacting, so expect a social, small-bus feel rather than a silent coach ride.
Weather and photos. The tour runs in whatever weather the day brings. One reviewer noted morning cloud that later cleared, improving photo opportunities over the course of the day.

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Common issues. The most consistent complaint is repetition: the full day combines two half-day tours run with different guides, and several reviewers said the commentary and prop photo sessions overlapped between the halves. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, children under 5 are not permitted, and under-7s need a child seat brought along or arranged in advance at an extra charge. Lunch is excluded. A minimum number of travellers is required, and if it is not met the operator offers a different date or a full refund.

Common Questions

Where Does The Tour Meet And What Time Does It Start?

The meeting point is 43 Camp Street in Queenstown, at the Station Building on the corner of Camp and Shotover Street, next to the wooden benches where the tour buses stop. Start time is 08:00 and the tour ends back at the same spot after roughly 10 hours.

Is Lunch Included?

No. Lunch is listed as not included. There is a break of about an hour and 30 minutes in Queenstown around midday, which reviewers found well timed for buying food. Coffee and tea are included.

Is This Tour Suitable For Children?

Children under 5 are not permitted, and a private tour is suggested for families with younger children. Children under 7 need a child seat, which you can bring yourself or arrange with the operator at an additional charge.

Can I Join If I Have Limited Mobility?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Travellers should have moderate physical fitness, and the tour is not advised for anyone who cannot walk more than 20 minutes on uneven ground, since there is one walk where those unable to join may wait up to 20 minutes. Service animals are allowed.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

A full refund requires cancelling at least 24 hours before the 08:00 start, based on local time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted. The tour also needs a minimum number of travellers; if it is cancelled for that reason, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Do I Need To Be A Lord Of The Rings Fan To Enjoy It?

No, though it helps. Reviewers who described themselves as casual fans still enjoyed the day for the scenery and guiding, and guides reportedly adapt for people with little knowledge of the films. Recognising locations from the films does add an extra layer.