Full Day, Arrowtown Included

Full Day Arrowtown and Glenorchy Lord of the Rings Film Locations

★ 5.0 111 reviews

from $231.50 per person

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Duration: 10 hours
Meeting point: Camp Street, Queenstown
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
On board: Coffee and tea included
Run by: Southern Trails - Independent Lord of the Rings Sightseeing Tours

Overview

This is a ten-hour loop out of Queenstown that strings together filming locations from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, with stops ranging from Arrowtown to Glenorchy and Paradise. The day is built around a maximum of 11 travellers, and it starts from the Station Building on the corner of Camp and Shotover Street. Several reviewers mention the guides holding up photos from the films at the locations, which helped them connect the scenery to the scenes.

Stops include Skippers Canyon, an hour in Arrowtown, Gibbston, Lake Hayes, a viewpoint over Lake Wakatipu, and a walk on the Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove track. The Glenorchy-Queenstown road accounts for one hour and 40 minutes of driving, before shorter stops in Glenorchy and 45 minutes in Paradise. There is a lunch break of about an hour and a half back in Queenstown city centre, with lunch at your own cost.

A big part of the appeal is the prop collection: replica swords, axes, daggers and helmets, plus costumes to dress up in, along with copies of original scripts and production call sheets. Reviewers who described themselves as casual fans rather than devotees still rated the day highly, largely because the landscapes carry the tour even where the film references do not. One percent of proceeds goes to the Love Queenstown Community Fund.

Stony track near Glenorchy edging a tussock hillside above a lake, wind-bent grasses and distant ranges

What's Included

Included

Coffee and/or Tea

Not Included

Lunch

Itinerary

Meet in QueenstownMeet at 43 Camp Street, the Station Building on the corner of Camp and Shotover Street, next to the benches where the tour buses stop.
Skippers CanyonA 20-minute stop, at the first stop of the day.
Arrowtown and GibbstonOne hour in Arrowtown, then 15 minutes in Gibbston, both free to enter.
Lakes and Bob's CoveLake Hayes for 25 minutes, a Lake Wakatipu viewpoint for 10 minutes, then 40 minutes walking the Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove track.
Queenstown lunch breakRoughly one hour and 30 minutes back in Queenstown city centre. Lunch is not included in the price.
Glenorchy-Queenstown RoadOne hour and 40 minutes of driving on the Glenorchy-Queenstown road.
Glenorchy and ParadiseA 20-minute stop in Glenorchy village, then 45 minutes in Paradise.
Return to QueenstownThe tour ends back at the original meeting point on Camp Street, with travel time between stops counted inside the ten-hour duration.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before you book this day.

Where this tour sits among 3 tours in Lord Of The Rings 4WD listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Half-Day 4WD Movie Locations$183.32
Full Day, Arrowtown Included (this tour)$231.50
Full-Day 4WD Movie Tour$378.28

Fitness and walking. A moderate level of physical fitness is required. There is one walk of about 20 minutes on uneven ground, and travellers who cannot manage it may have to wait for the group for up to 20 minutes.
Lunch is on you. Lunch is not included. The midday break happens back in Queenstown city centre, and one reviewer said the timing worked well. Coffee or tea is provided.
Two halves, one day. Several travellers found this structure worked well; a couple noted some repetition in the commentary and prop photos between the halves.
Dress up. Expect a costume and prop session with replica weapons, helmets and costumes. Reviewers said dressing up was fun, and there is time set aside for photos at the stops.
Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 11 travellers. One review mentions trivia used to get the group interacting together.
Weather and photos. One reviewer noted cloud in the morning clearing later in the day, giving better photo light toward Glenorchy. Conditions on the day will shape the photo opportunities.

Ready To GoCheck availability →

Common issues. Because the day combines two separate half-day tours, some repetition in commentary and prop photos between the morning and afternoon is a recurring complaint. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, children under 5 are not permitted, and travellers bringing children under 7 need to supply a child seat or arrange one with the operator at an extra charge. The experience also requires a minimum number of bookings to run; if that minimum is not met, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Confirmation can take up to 48 hours and is subject to availability.

Common Questions

Where Does The Tour Start And What Time?

It meets at 43 Camp Street, Queenstown, the Station Building on the corner of Camp and Shotover Street, beside the benches where the tour buses stop. The tour finishes back at the same point about ten hours later.

Is Lunch Included?

No. Lunch is not included, and there is a break of about an hour and 30 minutes in Queenstown city centre where you can buy your own. Coffee and tea are provided.

Are There Any Extra Entry Fees At The Stops?

No. Every stop on the itinerary is free to enter, so there are no admission tickets to buy. The only potential extra is a child seat for children under 7, which can be arranged with the operator at an additional charge.

Can Children Join The Tour?

Children under 5 are not permitted, and the operator suggests booking a private tour for families with children that young. Children under 7 need a child seat, which you can bring yourself or arrange with the operator for an extra fee.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. If the tour is cancelled because the minimum traveller number is not met, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Is It Suitable If I Am Not A Big Lord Of The Rings Fan?

Yes, according to multiple reviewers who described themselves as casual or lukewarm fans and still rated the day among their best in New Zealand. The scenery around Lake Wakatipu and the Glenorchy road stands on its own, and the guides are reported to make the material accessible to everyone. That said, familiarity with the films, especially the extended cuts, will add to it.