Peter Jackson did not have to fake much of Middle Earth, he mostly just pointed a camera at the Wakatipu Basin. The real Isengard, Lothlorien and Ithilien camp all sit within an hour of Queenstown, alongside Skippers Canyon's Ford of Bruinen and the Pillars of the Kings. Glenorchy and the road out to Paradise did double duty for The Chronicles of Narnia and X-Men Origins too. Here is what is actually running out to these filming locations, on 4WD or coach, half day or full.
Half Day Glenorchy Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour
The Half Day Glenorchy Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour with Nomad Safaris follows the Dart River out to Paradise, real life Isengard, Lothlorien and Fangorn Forest, with a stop at Twelve Mile Delta for some off road manoeuvring and lake views on the way back. Replica props are provided for photos, and a short 15 minute nature walk is included, optional if you would rather stay by the vehicle. Children under four travel free. Allow 4.5 hours.
Half Day in Middle Earth
The Half Day in Middle Earth tour with Trails of Middle Earth heads out to Skippers Canyon Lookout, Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley, covering key sites including the Ford of Bruinen, the Gladden Fields and the Pillars of the Kings. Groups are kept to a maximum of nine, and there is a large collection of authentic replica props on hand for photos. Children under five are not permitted on the group tour, a private tour can be arranged instead. Allow 4 hours.
Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour, Trails of Middle Earth
The Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour combines the Half Day in Middle Earth itinerary with a separate afternoon leg out to Glenorchy and Paradise, taking in Ithilien, Isengard, Beorn's House, Lothlorien and Amon Hen with a different bus and guide after lunch. This one throws in something extra for the die hard fans, copies of original scripts and production call sheets alongside the props. Departs 8am, returns 6pm.
Full Day Safari of the Scenes 4WD Tour
The Full Day Safari of the Scenes 4WD Tour with Nomad Safaris is the most thorough of the lot, a 4WD run through the 12 Mile Delta and Skippers Canyon in the morning, then Arrowtown and the Kawarau Gorge in the afternoon, with a stop to pan for gold in the Arrow River along the way. A light lunch at a Queenstown cafe and morning and afternoon tea are both included. Children under five travel free. Allow 9.5 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Which Queenstown movie tour covers the most filming locations?
The Full Day Safari of the Scenes 4WD Tour covers the widest ground, combining 12 Mile Delta and Skippers Canyon in the morning with Arrowtown and the Kawarau Gorge in the afternoon, plus gold panning in the Arrow River.
Do we need 4WD experience to join one of these tours?
No, both Nomad Safaris 4WD tours are fully guided with an experienced driver, so no prior experience or a licence is needed, you simply ride along.
Can young children come on a Lord of the Rings tour in Queenstown?
It depends on the operator. Nomad Safaris allows children under four or five to travel free depending on the tour, while Trails of Middle Earth does not permit children under five on its group tours and suggests a private tour instead.
What is the difference between the half day and full day Trails of Middle Earth tours?
The full day tour simply adds a separate afternoon leg out to Glenorchy and Paradise on top of the half day Skippers Canyon, Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley itinerary, with a different bus and guide after lunch.
Are these tours only for Lord of the Rings fans?
Not at all, the scenery around Glenorchy, Skippers Canyon and the Kawarau Gorge is worth the drive on its own, and guides also point out locations used in other films such as The Chronicles of Narnia and X-Men Origins.
Local tip: book a morning departure on any of the 4WD tours, Skippers Canyon Lookout is at its clearest before cloud tends to roll in over the Southern Alps by early afternoon.
Book your Queenstown TV and movie tour above and see Middle Earth the way the cameras actually found it.