Private Full Day, 10 Hours

Private Full Day Queenstown Lord of the Rings Film Locations

6 reviews

from $1,134.82 per group

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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 is a private, full day Lord of the Rings locations tour out of Queenstown, run by Southern Trails, and it runs about 10 hours from an 08:00 start at 43 Camp Street, on the corner of Camp and Shotover Street outside the Station Building. Only your group takes part, with a maximum of 9 people. The day loops out towards Glenorchy and Paradise and back, mixing film locations with the wider Queenstown region.

The route takes in Skippers Canyon, Arrowtown, Gibbston, Lake Hayes, a Lake Wakatipu viewpoint, the Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove track, the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, Glenorchy itself and Paradise, with time back in Queenstown along the way. Travel between stops counts toward the total duration. One reviewer described their guide as very knowledgeable on Lord of the Rings and said the day also covered general Queenstown history and scenery, with the guide tailoring content to the group.

The prop collection is the differentiator here. The operator says it carries the largest selection of authentic replica swords, axes, daggers and helmets on its tours, along with costumes for dressing up, copies of original scripts and production call sheets. Coffee and tea are provided, lunch is not, and one percent of proceeds goes to the Love Queenstown Community Fund.

A small private van on the Glenorchy road beside Lake Wakatipu.

What's Included

Included

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

Not Included

Lunch

Itinerary

Meet at 43 Camp StreetMeet at 08:00 on the corner of Camp and Shotover Street at the Station Building, next to the wooden benches where the tour buses stop. The tour ends back at the same point.
Skippers CanyonA 20 minute stop.
Arrowtown and GibbstonOne hour in Arrowtown and 15 minutes in Gibbston, both free to enter.
Lake HayesA 25 minute stop at Lake Hayes, followed by 10 minutes at a Lake Wakatipu viewpoint.
QueenstownOne hour and 30 minutes in Queenstown.
Bob's Cove trackThe Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove track, 40 minutes.
Glenorchy and ParadiseThe Glenorchy-Queenstown Road section runs 1 hour 40 minutes, followed by 20 minutes in Glenorchy and 45 minutes in Paradise. The day then finishes back at the meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points before booking, drawn from the operator and from traveller reviews.

$1,134.82from, per group

10 hoursduration

5.0across 6 guest reviews

9guests at most

Fitness and walking. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, and the tour is not recommended for travellers who cannot walk more than 20 minutes on uneven ground. There is one walk where anyone unable to take part may have to wait for up to 20 minutes.
Private group feel. This is a private tour, so only your group participates, capped at 9 people. One reviewer said their guide tailored the day to include Queenstown history and the surrounding area alongside the film locations.
Food and drink. Coffee and tea are included. Lunch is not, so budget for your own meal during the day.
Props and photos. The operator carries replica swords, axes, daggers, helmets and costumes for photos, plus copies of original scripts and production call sheets. One reviewer said they got to see all the postcard locations of the region.
Children. Children 6 and under require a child seat by New Zealand law. You can bring your own or rent one from the operator, with fees applying, so message them ahead to arrange it.

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Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. It can be cancelled if a minimum number of travellers is not met, in which case you are offered a different date, a different experience, or a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the 08:00 start get no refund, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The pace includes a walk on uneven ground, and anyone who cannot manage it may wait up to 20 minutes while the rest of the group walks.

Common Questions

Where Does The Tour Start And When?

It meets at 08:00 at 43 Camp Street, Queenstown, on the corner of Camp and Shotover Street at the Station Building, next to the benches where the tour buses stop. The day ends back at the same spot and runs about 10 hours in total, travel time included.

What Is Included In The Price?

Coffee or tea, photos with the operator's replica props and costumes, and access to copies of original scripts and production call sheets. One percent of proceeds goes to the Love Queenstown Community Fund. It is a private tour for your group only.

Do I Need To Pay For Entry Fees At Any Stop?

No. Every stop on the itinerary, from Skippers Canyon through to Paradise, is free to enter. Lunch is the main extra to budget for, plus a child seat rental fee if you need one from the operator.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children?

Children are welcome, but those 6 and under need a child seat by New Zealand law. Bring your own or message the operator to arrange one at an additional charge. The group is capped at 9 people.

Can I Join If I Have Limited Mobility?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible and requires a moderate level of physical fitness. There is one walk where people unable to walk may have to wait for up to 20 minutes. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the 08:00 start for a full refund. Inside that window, no refund is given and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels because a minimum number of travellers is not met, you get a different date, a different experience, or a full refund.