On this 10-night vacation package, see a combination of major attractions with well-known scenes on this self-guided adventure.

Let Air New Zealand take you there to experience the stunning vistas and varied landscapes that motivated Sir Peter Jackson to film The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and his latest installment, The Hobbit in New Zealand.

On this 10-night package see a number of major attractions and recognizable film locations on this 10 night self-guided adventure.

Includes:

  • Round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Auckland, returning from Queenstown
  • One-way airfare from Rotorua to Wellington and Queenstown
  • Two nights Heritage Auckland
  • Two nights Millennium Rotorua
  • Two nights Rydges Wellington
  • Four nights Heritage Queenstown
  • Half-day Auckland Morning Highlights tour with Kelly Tarltons
  • Full-day excursion from Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton
  • Evening Maori Cultural Experience including Hangi Dinner, Rotorua
  • Half-day Middle-earth Tour, Wellington
  • Half-day Safari of the Scenes, Queenstown
  • Full-day Milford Sound Tour & Cruise, Queenstown
  • Shotover Jet Boat Ride, Queenstown
  • Round-trip airport/hotel transfers throughout
  • US/foreign taxes & fees including Sep 11 Security Fee
  • Applicable airline fuel surcharges

Air New Zealand flight crew

Spend two nights in Auckland and enjoy a half-day city tour and learn why Auckland is known as the City of Sails.  Visit the famous Auckland landmark of Mount Eden, a dormant volcano whose summit offers excellent panoramic views of the city and harbors. Visit Auckland Domain, the city's oldest park, and the trendy shopping area of Parnell Village, with its historical buildings. Continue along the scenic waterfront to Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World where you will learn about the city's fascinating history and discover spectacular scenery before plunging under Auckland's waterfront for a scuba diver's view of the incredible ocean that surrounds us. Come face to face with sharks, massive stingrays and other incredible deep sea creatures and watch live King and Gentoo Penguins play in a simulated Antarctic environment.

Leave Auckland on a full-day tour to the small town of Waitomo for a guided tour through the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves with their amazing stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone formations. Enjoy a silent yet magical boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto - a subterranean cavern lit up by the lights of thousands of tiny glow worms.

Depart Waitomo and enjoy a delicious picnic style lunch en-route to Rotorua where you will transfer to the Hobbiton Movie Set coach.  Enjoy a scenic drive across the Kaimai Ranges to the picturesque 1,250 acre farm near Matamata where scenes from Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed. Learn how the farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth. Your guide will show you Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and many other structures from the movies. Return to Rotorua for your two night stay.

Today is at leisure to explore the sights of Rotorua including the mud pools and geysers that are prevalent throughout the city.  Enjoy a Maori Cultural Experience and learn about the history and traditions of the Maori people before you experience a traditional hangi dinner.

Board a flight to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand bursting with arts, culture, fine dining and breath-taking natural scenery.  Wellington was the hub for the films’ production where cast and crew enjoyed world class production facilities as well as gastronomic and cultural highlights during the epic 500-day production.  Enjoy a wonderful half-day tour of the film locations with an expert guide in a small group.  The tour takes you to the filming locations for Rivendell where Frodo recovered from his knife attack; the Anduin River where Aragorn was washed ashore after the attack of the Wargs; the Gardens of Isengard, the site of the Orcs Felling the Trees and where Gandalf rode to see Saruman. Visit the Mount Victoria lookout and Hobbiton Woods where you can race to the Ferry and get off the road; Buckland Forest where the Hobbits hid from the Nazgul/Black Riders and where they found the mushrooms on the road; Dunharrow Rohirrim encampment; visit the quarry for the filming of Helms Deep and the fortified ravine in Rohan and Minas Tirith.

Fly to Queenstown, the alpine resort town nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by majestic mountains.  Find your adventurous side with a Shotover jetboat ride, a thrilling experience that skims past rocky outcrops with twists and turns throughout the narrow canyons at breath-taking speeds.

Join a half-day Safari of the Scenes tour that visits recognizable film locations and stunning natural scenery taking you from Queenstown to Glenorchy. Follow the Dart River to the spectacular filming location for Isengard that offers stunning views of Mt Earnslaw. Head to Paradise and discover the Forest of Lothlorien and on your return to Queenstown, stop at 12 Mile Delta to explore the location of the Ithilien Camp.