Isengard Finish, Tea And Costumes

Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

★ 4.9 1,543 reviews

from $124.26 per person

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Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point: Marmolada Cafe, Camp Street, Queenstown
Cancellation: Cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
On board: Morning or afternoon tea included
Run by: Pure Glenorchy Scenic Lord of the Rings Tours

Overview

This half day tour runs from Queenstown to Glenorchy and back over four hours and thirty minutes. The route follows the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road with stops at Bennets Bluff Lookout, the Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove track, Glenorchy Wharf, Mount Aspiring country and the Isengard Lookout. National park entrance fees are already covered in the ticket price.

Along the way the guide gives live commentary on the films and the local landscape, and the operator brings costumes and replica swords so travellers can dress up as a favourite character. A light morning or afternoon tea with cake, biscuits, hot tea and coffee is included, and umbrellas are provided if the weather turns.

The tour departs from outside Marmolada Cafe at 43 Camp Street, at 7:50am or 1:25pm, and returns to the same point. Groups are capped at eleven travellers. Reviewers praised the guides' knowledge of the films and the scenery along the drive, and some said the half day packed in a lot of filming locations.

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 (this tour)$124.26
10-Hour Full Day, Lunch Not Included$231.50

What's Included

Included

A light morning or afternoon tea, with cake, biscuits and hot tea & coffee
Umbrellas provided
Professional, friendly & local guides
Live Commentary
Dress up as your favourite character, LOTR costumes/ replica swords
Coffee and/or Tea
Entrance fee - National Park fees included
Booster seat

Itinerary

Meet at Camp StreetWait outside Marmolada Cafe, 43 Camp Street, Queenstown. Departures are at 7:50am and 1:25pm, and the tour leaves on time, so arrive early.
Glenorchy-Queenstown RoadFree admission.
Bennets Bluff LookoutA 10 minute photo stop at the lookout. Free admission.
Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's CoveA 15 minute stop on the track. Admission is included in the tour price.
Glenorchy Wharf & ViewpointThirty minutes at the wharf and viewpoint. Free admission.
Mount Aspiring areaForty five minutes in the Mount Aspiring area.
Isengard LookoutTwenty minutes at the lookout.
Return to QueenstownThe tour ends back at the meeting point on Camp Street, roughly four hours and thirty minutes after departure.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most from the morning or afternoon.

$124.26from, per person

4 hours 30 minutesduration

4.9across 1,543 guest reviews

11guests at most

Be on time. The operator states clearly that the tour departs on time and does not refund no shows or late arrivals. Plan to reach the meeting point with time to spare.
Weather ready. Umbrellas are provided for a reason. Check the forecast before you go and dress for the conditions on the day.
Fitness level. A moderate level of physical fitness is required. Travellers who use a walking frame or stick are asked to contact the operator first.
Food and drink. Morning or afternoon tea is included, with cake, biscuits and hot drinks served during the tour. Coffee and tea are also included, so hot drinks are clearly covered.
Photos and props. Costumes and replica swords are carried on board for dress-up photos.
Group feel. The maximum group size is eleven travellers. A reviewer found the van comfortable and noted that a smaller vehicle can reach places larger tour buses cannot.

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Common issues. One reviewer felt the stops went by quickly, noting that timing depends partly on the group. Hotel pickup is not listed, so travellers make their own way to Camp Street. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, children under five are not permitted, and the operator can cancel if a minimum number of bookings is not met, though a different date or a full refund is offered in that case. Anyone with mobility aids should contact the operator before booking.

Common Questions

Where Does The Tour Start And Is There Hotel Pickup?

The meeting point is outside Marmolada Cafe, 43 Camp Street, Queenstown, with departures at 7:50am and 1:25pm. Hotel pickup is not listed on this product, so travellers should plan to arrive at the meeting point on time. The tour ends back at the same spot.

What Is Included In The Price?

The price covers live commentary from a local guide, a light morning or afternoon tea with cake, biscuits, tea and coffee, umbrellas, national park entrance fees, and the costumes and replica swords used for photos. A booster seat is available for children between five and seven if you message the operator at the time of booking.

Do I Have To Pay Entry Fees At The Stops?

No. National park entrance fees are included in the tour price. The stops at Bennets Bluff Lookout and Glenorchy Wharf are free anyway, and the paid entries on the route are covered.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children And People With Limited Mobility?

Children under five are not permitted, and kids between five and seven can be provided a booster seat if requested when booking. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Travellers who use a walking frame or stick should contact the operator before booking.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, based on local time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. If the operator cancels because the minimum number of travellers is not met, you are offered a different date or experience or a full refund.

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

The tour is built around the films, with guides sharing behind the scenes detail at each location, but the drive and the viewpoints are attractions in their own right. Several reviewers highlighted the scenery alongside the film commentary. The props and dress-up also add entertainment beyond the films themselves.