Half-Day 4WD Movie Locations
4 hours 15 minutes · Nomad Safaris
Guided tour with light refreshments.
from $183.32 per person Check availability →
Full-Day 4WD Movie Tour
Full Day Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour from Queenstown
from $378.28 per person
Check availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Meeting point
- Shotover Street, Queenstown
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Meal
- Meal included
- Run by
- Nomad Safaris
Overview
This is a nine-hour 4WD loop out of Queenstown with Nomad Safaris, built around Lord of the Rings filming locations and the country that carried them. You ride in a 6 seater 4WD vehicle with a guide, which keeps the group to a maximum of 6 travellers. The route runs along the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, into Paradise, and on to 12 Mile Delta, with later stops at the Kawarau Bungy Centre, the Arrow River and Skippers Canyon. Gold panning is built into the day, and one reviewer described guides showing photos from the movies at each stop to match precisely where you were standing.
Lunch is at a local cafe and is included, along with snacks such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cake and cookies. Pickup is listed from selected central Queenstown accommodations, with the base meeting point at Info & Track, 37 Shotover Street. The day finishes back where it started.
It suits film fans most obviously, but one reviewer said the tour was engaging and interesting even if you had not seen any movies, giving a real sense for the variety of New Zealand geography. It is not wheelchair accessible. A minimum of 2 passengers is needed to confirm a departure, or 4 on New Zealand statutory holidays.
- Half-Day 4WD Movie Locations$183.32
- Full Day, Arrowtown Included$231.50
- Full-Day 4WD Movie Tour (this tour)$378.28
What's Included
Included
- Lunch (lunch at a local cafe)
- Snacks (including tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cake and cookies)
- Transport by 6 seater 4WD vehicle with your guide
- Pickup from selected central Queenstown accommodations
- Gold panning
Itinerary
- Meet at 37 Shotover StreetCheck in at Info & Track, 37 Shotover Street, Queenstown. Pickup from selected central Queenstown accommodations may be possible; contact the operator to confirm.
- Drive Glenorchy-Queenstown RoadThe itinerary lists 10 minutes on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road.
- ParadiseA stop in Paradise lasting 1 hour.
- 12 Mile DeltaAbout 20 minutes.
- Queenstown45 minutes allotted here, including lunch at a local cafe.
- Kawarau Bungy CentreA 30 minute stop at the AJ Hackett bungy site.
- Arrow River1 hour at the Arrow River.
- Skippers CanyonA 30 minute stretch through Skippers Canyon before returning.
- Return to Shotover StreetThe tour ends back at the same meeting point, 37 Shotover Street.
GuideIncluded
PickupIncluded
What To Expect From The Tour
Here is what to know before booking.
- Dress for change. Dress for changeable mountain weather and bring sun protection, comfortable shoes and suitable clothing. Layers are the practical answer, since the day crosses lake shore, river valley and canyon country.
- Bring a camera. A camera or phone is on the list of what to bring. One reviewer described guides showing photos from the movies at each stop to match precisely where you were standing, which makes a camera worth carrying.
- Small vehicle. Transport is a 6 seater 4WD with the guide, and the tour carries a maximum of 6 travellers.
- Food and drink. Lunch at a local cafe is included, plus snacks such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cake and cookies. The company makes the lunch choice; one reviewer wanted a healthier option, so if you have firm food preferences bring something extra. Bring water as well.
- No fandom needed. One reviewer said the tour was engaging and interesting even without any knowledge of the movies, and gave a real sense for the variety of New Zealand geography. Guides reportedly matched film stills to each stop, which helps non-fans follow along.
- Pace and fitness. Most travellers can participate and infant seats are available. It is a full day of driving and short stops though, about nine hours door to door.
Common issues. The tour needs a minimum of 2 passengers to run, or 4 on New Zealand statutory holidays, and if numbers are not met you are offered an alternative departure or a full refund. It is not wheelchair accessible. One reviewer felt the full day was more than needed and would have been satisfied with a half. Tours operate in most weather but can be altered or cancelled if conditions are unsafe, and cancellations made less than 24 hours before start receive no refund.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Price?
Lunch at a local cafe, snacks including tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cake and cookies, transport in a 6 seater 4WD with your guide, gold panning, and pickup from selected central Queenstown accommodations. The tour runs about nine hours.
Where Does The Tour Pick Up From?
The base meeting point is Info & Track at 37 Shotover Street, Queenstown. Pickup from selected central Queenstown accommodations is also available. If your accommodation is outside that central zone, contact the operator to confirm before assuming.
Is This Tour Good For Kids Or People With Limited Mobility?
Most travellers can participate and infant seats are available. However, the tour is not wheelchair accessible. If anyone in your group has a heart condition or other serious medical condition, do not join.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that 24 hour window are not refunded or accepted. Cut-off times use the local experience time. If the operator cancels because minimum numbers are not met, you get a different date or experience, or a full refund.
Do I Need To Have Seen The Lord Of The Rings Films?
No. One reviewer said the tour was engaging and interesting even without having seen any of the movies, because of the landscape and the general commentary on the region. Film fans get the most from the location stops and the matching film stills.
What Should I Bring?
Water, a camera or phone, sun protection, comfortable shoes and suitable clothing for changeable mountain weather. Layers are wise, since the route moves between lake shore, river and canyon terrain across a long day.
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