I’ve seen these films more times than I care to remember, so I had a moment of trepidation when I finally managed to secure a Lord of the Rings tour in Queenstown. What if the real world couldn’t match the screen? Thankfully, when I reached Queenstown and found myself near the start of the scenes in Glenorchy the views didn’t disappoint. As the mountains spread back in orderly folds I shivered.
Here’s what I learned, where to go and what to see whether you’re a superfan or here for the ride with a superfan.
Why Queenstown Is Middle-earth Central
Jackson chose to film throughout New Zealand, but there’s a reason Queenstown kept on reappearing in the scenery. The landscapes are so diverse that you can get everything from lakes, rivers, beech forest, tussock plains and jagged peaks in an hour or so. That’s a lot of Middle-earth in a tiny area.
Note that most locations were taken out after filming. Not Hobbit holes here, that’s Hobbiton in the Waikato, it’s the landscapes. With a decent guide or a bit of research, you will spot them immediately.
Top Stops on a Lord of the Rings Tour in Queenstown
Glenorchy and Paradise
Okay, this is the main event. The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy takes you along the edge of Lake Wakatipu, which is beautiful before you even get to the spots where the films were shot. Just past Glenorchy is the Dart River and Paradise, which are frequently associated with Isengard and Lothlórien (fun fact, Paradise is a real destination).
Some of the road towards Glenorchy is gravel. Check road conditions and ensure your vehicle and rental agreement cover you for the drive.
Twelve Mile Delta
Located just outside Queenstown on the road to Glenorchy, this is one of the most visited locations because it is purported to be the filming site of scenes in Ithilien. Fans will recall Sam’s “po-tay-toes” during their catering of their rabbit. Convenient short walk with fantastic photo opportunities.
Arrowtown and the Arrow River
The Arrow River with Arrowtown in the background where Arwen confronts the Black Riders is pretty much the spot shown in the film. The actual river is not as wild as it appears in the film! In Arrowtown you can walk along the historic main street and have lunch.
Deer Park Heights
This high point above near to the town of Frankton is often said to have been used to shoot scenes involving the refugees of Rohan. As this is private land access is a little different. Verify access before setting out.
The Kawarau River
The iconic Pillars of the Argonath (added digitally). I think the shot of the Argonath is always tagged to the area of the Kawarau River. Head out to Gibbston – definitely worth a stop!
Guided Tour or Do It Yourself?
You have a few options here, and every one of these has been advantages and disadvantages.
Group tours
You can do a Middle-earth tour from Queenstown. They often include stories, props and photos from filming. They are social and enjoyable. The not so fun part – set times and with a group of people.
Self-drive
You take the wheel, and you have complete freedom. You can pull over whenever you want. Of course, you’ll have to locate those rest stops on your own, and some roads may be difficult for anxious drivers.
Private chauffeur
So this is what we did on day two. A personal driver took us out to Glenorchy and back, and we could get out at any point along the way. We didn’t have to think about directions, gravel roads or parking, we just had to look out of the window and argue about where filming might have been. Bliss.
For instance, QT Chauffeurs and Rentals offers private scenic tours around Queenstown in a comfortable car. They’ll be able to advise you on creating a day around Middle-earth locations. When you book, ask about routes and timings for that day as some locations are affected by weather and road conditions.
A Sample Day Out
All a bit of a blur, but in the order they happened: We left town around 8.00 and headed first to Twelve Mile Delta, then down through the Dart River to capture images at Bennett’s Bluff. Then we made it into Glenorchy for a mid-morning coffee before continuing on towards Paradise and Dart River. We returned to Queenstown in the late afternoon, exhausted, but happy. Arrowtown was a whole other half-day of the week.
Best Time to Go
Each season gives you a different Middle-earth.
- Summer: The days are longer and the valleys greener but you may see more people.
- Autumn: My favorite with its glorious colours and icy mornings,
- Winter: Mountains that appear to be plucked from the Misty Mountains, but be aware the roads may be icy
- Spring: Stubble, fresh lambing time and the unpredictability of the weather
Early mornings are magic any time of the year. The light is gentle, the lake is still and there’s not many around.
Tips for Fans
- Revisit the films you’ve already seen before you go. You’ll recognize much more readily.
- Bring screenshots on your phone to match the shots.
- Stack your layers, because weather changes rapidly in the mountains.
- Have snacks. There are some cafes in Glenorchy, but there aren’t many further up the road.
- Love nature and respect private land as well as the nature itself. Leave the place as you have seen it.
And yes, you can bring a cloak if you like. Nobody is going to judge you for it. Well, maybe just a little.
Beyond the Films
Even if you’re not a fan, you won’t regret this day for the scenery alone. The drive to Glenorchy has to be one of the most scenic in the country. There is lots of history at Arrowtown from the gold rush days and plenty of walking tracks, wineries and hidden picnic spots along the way.
My wife, who had not watched the movies, enjoyed the trip as much as I did, though she was much more enthused about the views. She got much pleasure out of spotting hills and yelling “That’s where the Fellowship walked!” We both came away happy.
Final Thoughts
A lord of the rings tour in Queenstown is actually not about the movies. It’s about discovering the places in which they were shot, because when you’re in those valleys it all clicks.
One day, whatever you choose to join a group, driver yourself or rent a private driver, allow yourself a whole day. No hurries. Remember hobbits took a break for second breakfast.
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