lord of the rings set tour new zealand

Hobbiton New Zealand: How To Visit The Shire Movie Set

One of the most photogenic places in New Zealand is actually a movie set — Hobbiton, from the popular ‘Lord of the Rings’ series!

Hobbiton village was filmed on green farmlands in the North Island of New Zealand, and fans will be thrilled to know that they’ve kept the entire movie set from the Shire intact for people to tour.

My wife was in love with this place. If you’re a fan of the LOTR series, or fantasy movies in general (or even if you’re just a hobby photographer), don’t miss out on it! The shire was one of the highlights of our New Zealand trip!

What Is Hobbiton?

Unless you’ve been living underground (no pun), you’ve probably heard that New Zealand is where the award-winning ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Hobbit’ trilogies were filmed.

In the books (and movies), the Shire is the peaceful green countryside where the protagonist hobbits live. Synonymous with peace and quiet, Hobbiton is a village paradise complete with dozens of little turf covered houses that look like something out of medieval England (with a fantasy twist).

The Hobbiton movie set was first created for ‘Lord of the Rings’ in 1999, with road-building help from the New Zealand Army, and then the set was completely rebuilt and expanded in 2010 for the ‘Hobbit’ movies.

The current Shire movie set you see today has 44 hobbit homes, farms, and gardens, and covers 5 hectares (12 acres)!

Where Is The Shire / Hobbiton?

The Hobbiton movie set is located just outside of Matamata , a tiny town on the North Island of New Zealand.

From the city of Auckland, it’s a 2 hour drive through small towns and mostly rural roads.

How To Get To Hobbiton New Zealand

You can self-drive to Hobbiton (cheaper and recommended), or there are bus tours starting from Auckland that do all the driving for you.

Either way, a walking tour is required for visiting the movie set, and you will want to make an online booking at least a few days in advance, because the tickets do sell out, especially if you’re wanting a specific time slot.

Klook has meet up (self drive) Hobbiton New Zealand tours for $47 USD or they also have more pricey private day tours from Auckland that include hotel pickups and everything else you might need.

Hobbiton New Zealand: What To Expect

Visiting the Hobbiton New Zealand movie set requires a walking tour, and these run daily with dozens of time slots to choose from between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Unless you’ve booked a private tour (very pricey!), this also means you will be on a shared tour with other LOTR fans eager to relive their favorite movie memories.

Our group had about 25 visitors and, compounded with the other groups touring the set at the same time, I have to admit it felt pretty crowded on the narrow paths winding through the village.

It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to. Bilbo Baggins, In The Lord Of The Rings

Best Time To Visit Hobbiton New Zealand

Honestly, Hobbiton is one place where I don’t think there is any ‘best’ time to visit.

The North Island of New Zealand has a mild/comfortable climate all year round, and even during the dry summer months, the grass and plants in the movie set are watered to keep them looking fresh and green.

The Hobbiton movie set is also photogenic at any time of the day. Even if you’re a photographer, you don’t need to worry about lighting at the Shire.

Where We Stayed

Most of our time in New Zealand was spent in a campervan, but for our last night on the North Island we stayed at this BNB style villa/homestay in Auckland for $55 USD ($87 NZD).

For this price we got a clean triple bedroom with cold A/C, extremely fast WiFi, a comfy living room area, and a shared bathroom/shower that were immaculate. Best of all, the location was just a 15 minute Uber drive to the airport for our early morning flight.

You won't find a better deal this close to the airport! Prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal.

We stayed at this BNB style homestay in Auckland for $55 USD.

• New Zealand Travel Guide - Tips, Info & Photos

You may also like

Angkor wat travel guide for cambodia, how to visit himeji castle on a day trip from osaka & kyoto, palau scenic flight over the rock islands: how to do it, rock islands palau boat tour: milky way & long beach, kelingking beach nusa penida: t-rex cliff hike in bali, wadi rum desert: epic jeep tour in jordan, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Lord of the Rings New Zealand

Journeying across both the North and South Islands, this tour is perfect for the Lord of the Rings fan who wants to immerse themselves in the landscapes and scenic views that were a pivotal inspiration in the making of the films. In the North Island, pay a visit to Middle Earth at Hobbiton, as well as a Canopy Forest Tour and a Maori Cultural Experience in Rotorua. Then, fly south for more Lord of the Rings Tours across multiple locations, and experience the stunning natural beauty of such places as Aoraki Mt Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound, the West Coast Glaciers, as well as the Southern Alps as you travel across them on the world famous TranzAlpine Scenic Train.

**Please Note: Some elements of this tour may only run on certain days of the week. Speak to one of our travel specialists today to find a departure date that works for you.

Independent tour (bus & coach)

This suggested tour costs from NZD$6,565 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Auckland, finishes in Christchurch

13 days/12 nights

Hotel 3 star

  Customisable? YES

  Viewed 147 times in the last 7 days

Tour Inclusions

At a glance - Lord of the Rings New Zealand

Day 1 : Welcome to Auckland Accommodation: Grand Millennium Auckland

Day 2 : Auckland to Hobbiton to Rotorua Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Day 3 : Soar through the redwood canopy before a Maori experience and dinner this evening Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Day 4 : Today fly Rotorua to Christchurch Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Cotswold

Day 5 : Lord of the Rings Edoras tour - a full day adventure Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Cotswold

Day 6 : Christchurch to Mt Cook National Park. This afternoon embark on a glacier lake adventure Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel Room Mount Cook View

Day 7 : Mt. Cook National Park to Queenstown Accommodation: Ramada Hotel & Suites Queenstown Central

Day 8 : A full day to relax in the resort of Queenstown Accommodation: Ramada Hotel & Suites Queenstown Central

Day 9 : Full day tour to Milford Sound including a nature cruise Accommodation: Ramada Hotel & Suites Queenstown Central

Day 10 : Nomad Safari of the Scenes morning tour, free time to explore this afternoon Accommodation: Ramada Hotel & Suites Queenstown Central

Day 11 : Queenstown to Glacier Country Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier

Day 12 : Fox Glacier to Greymouth, then take the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train to Christchurch Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Cotswold

Day 13 : Depart Christchurch today

You will be met at the Auckland airport by the driver and transferred to your Auckland accommodation.

Auckland, New Zealand's self-proclaimed "City of Sails" is the country's largest metro area. Resting between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, this urban paradise has something for everyone. Surrounded by native bush, rainforests, and an abundance of beaches, Auckland is a playground for both the city savvy and those with an eye for adventure. Explore the central museums and galleries on foot, or get out onto the water to experience the best views of the city.

Explore worlds of horror, sci-fi and fantasy in the making. An exciting, realistic, and authentic experience, with three fully developed and original ...

Explore worlds of horror, sci-fi and fantasy in the making. An exciting, realistic, and authentic experience, with three fully developed and original film concepts: A nail-biting horror Fauna, a fantasy epic Age of the Ever-Clan, and the mind-bending sci-fi Origins. A 90-minute guided experience through fully themed environments, including immersive horror, fantasy, and sci-fi story worlds. Be immersed by a specially-created unique sweeping cinematic soundtrack, animatronic creatures, physical and digital interactives, hyper-realistic sculpted giants and characters, a horror house experience, and much more.

Your accommodation: Grand Millennium Auckland

Take a journey into the heart of the Central North Island, and visit famous Hobbiton Movie Set. Setting off from Auckland, travel through the lush farmland of the Waikato and King Country regions. Take a guided tour of the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, located inside a picturesque 1,250 acre sheep and beef farm near Matamata. Here, the village of Hobbiton was carefully created in amazing detail as a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. During your guided tour of this amazing location you’ll see sights like Hobbit holes, the Mill and the Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, tuck into a delicious lunch in the Party Marquee and then travel to Rotorua.

Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Embark on a three hour adventure through native New Zealand forest. Journey through the beautiful forest canopy via an incredible network of trails, tree platforms, Ziplines and swing bridges. See breathtaking views of the woodland valleys and hills as you fly through tight openings in the trees. In between the thrill of the ziplines and suspended tree bridges, your guides will share their passion and knowledge for the forest and the conservation challenges to preserve it. 

It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information see here .

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, presenting Te Pā Tū. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

You will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to Rotorua Airport.

On arrival, you will be met by a private driver and transferred to your Christchurch accommodation.

Following the 2011 earthquake that razed its centre and much of the outlying suburbs, Christchurch is well into a billion-dollar makeover. In the middle of the Canterbury Plains, bordering the pacific ocean, New Zealand’s newest city is an ideal gateway to exploring the middle of the South. Go punting on the Avon River, take a historic tram ride, catch the gondola to the rim of an extinct volcano or do all three! See the world's only Cardboard Cathedral and for nature enthusiasts - wander the renowned Christchurch Botanic Gardens, or head to Oxford Terrace in the city to find a great spot to eat or drink. Drive an hour in any direction to ski, mountain bike, wine taste, whale-watch, bungy jump or play golf. Take the winding Port Hills road to the French settlement of Akaroa and tour the vines in Waipara for an authentic New Zealand wine-tasting experience.  

Your accommodation: Scenic Hotel Cotswold

Journey to the remote and beautiful Mt Potts high country station, home of Mt Sunday. See how this spectacular mountain was transformed into Edoras, the capital city of the Rohan people from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Marvel at its rugged unspoiled beauty and breathe in the clear mountain air, while you indulge in a gourmet sparkling wine picnic.

Depart Christchurch in the morning and travel through the lush farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, where you can see the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd as it stands in solitude next to the vibrant blue waters. Leaving Tekapo , continue into the Southern Alps towards Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's tallest mountain. Compelling commentary from the driver on the region's culture and history will keep you entertained. Arrive at Mount Cook and feel free to explore the village and its surroundings at your own leisure.

Experience 500 year old icebergs up-close on the Mt Cook terminal lake. The Glacier Explorers tour is the only one of its kind in New Zealand and one of only three in the world! Very few glaciers terminate into lakes and even fewer of them are accessible. See towering ice cliffs and floating icebergs from the safety of a specially designed boat. These boats provide a safe way to view unseen and inaccessible areas of New Zealand's largest glacier The Tasman.

Your accommodation: Hermitage Hotel Room Mount Cook View

Leaving Mt Cook , you will head south through the tawny tussock of the Mackenzie Country. You will stop for an afternoon tea break in Omarama (at your own expense) before crossing Lindis Pass. You will head towards Cromwell region, which is famous for its fruit orchards. You will continue through the Kawarau Gorge and its famous goldmines and arrive in Queenstown in the evening.

Your accommodation: Ramada Hotel & Suites Queenstown Central

With such an abundance of activities on offer, one day in Queenstown is never enough!  Today, you’ll have some spare time for those things you didn’t get to do yesterday.  For more thrills, you can choose from jet boating, luging, bungy jumping, or a canyon swing. If golf is your game, the exceptional Millbrook Golf Course is the place for you. If you prefer wine, head down the Gibbston wine trail to sample some of the region’s best Pinot, or explore a little further afield - the nearby historic gold mining township of Arrowtown is a popular destination and features many original buildings and features. At the head of Lake Wakatipu sits Glenorchy . The scenic drive here is worth the trip alone; however, upon arriving in this peaceful township, you could easily rest the day away. Nearby is the start of the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s Great walks. You can enjoy a section of this track as a day walk. Alternatively, head over the Crown Range to the beautiful lake town of Wanaka , famous for its iconic tree in the lake. To appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds this area, a scenic flight or skydive will take your breath away. 

On this Lord of the Rings Glacier Explorers flight you'll fly through the land where many parts of the Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed along wit...

On this Lord of the Rings Glacier Explorers flight you'll fly through the land where many parts of the Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed along with the chance to fly with our most experienced pilot, Alfie Speight, who was the principle filming pilot for the series. Fly along the Shotover River to the scene where Arwen turns to face the Nazgul at the Ford of Bruinen. Fly over the mountain range from the opening scene of The Two Towers on the way to landing on a glacier alongside the Misty Mountains and get a sense of what it might be like to cross The Redhorn Pass. Head across to Glenorchy via the Dart Valley and Mount Earnslaw to see the natural features you may better recognise as Isengard, Amon Hen and Lothlorien. Experience a second landing amongst one of these scenes to truly feel immersed in Middle-earth. Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Return luxury coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with a 1 hour 40 minute Cruise along the full length of the fiord. On boarding a Real Journeys luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown or Te Anau, you will enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. After a morning tea break in Te Anau, where you have the option of purchasing refreshments, the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. On reaching Milford Sound, you board the modern, spacious vessel for a leisurely cruise in the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and the wildlife. During the cruise your friendly crew provide commentaries in several languages and point out the sights such as Mitre Peak and the Pembroke Glacier.

For those keen on Lord Of The Rings this is the tour for you. Go on a scenic adventure through some of the iconic locations used in the filming. Although none of the sets are left behind, the landscapes will be instantly recognisable. Follow the shores of Lake Wakatipu to the small town of Glenorchy and enjoy the spectacular views of the Remarkables Range as you drive. From Glenorchy you'll head into the beech forests of Paradise, located on the outskirts of Mount Aspiring National Park - before heading up the dart valley and back. Film locations you'll see include Isengard, Lothlorien, Ithilien Camp and the Seat of Seeing.

Although celebrated as New Zealand's ‘adventure capital’ Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic and scenic wonders. Head down the Gibbston Valley wine trail to sample some of the region’s best Pinot or catch a ride on the 100 year old Steamship - the TSS Earnslaw -  to Walter Peak Station for dinner and a farm tour. Browse the waterfront cafes and have lunch at Michelin star chef Josh Emett's ‘Rata.’ Check out nearby historic Arrowtown and enhance your experience with a four wheel drive trip to Macetown. Take a leisurely lakeside stroll or ride the gondola for breathtaking views. Drive through Lord Of The Rings country - or for the really fanatic, jump aboard one of many dedicated LOTR tours. If you do really want the adrenaline rush Queenstown is known for, take your pick from the Shotover Jet , Bungy , Canyon Swing , Zipline , Luge or Heli-ski . Finally, if you're lucky enough to visit in winter (July-September) there are four ski resorts close by. You can head up to Coronet Peak and the Remarkables close to Queenstown, or head to Wanaka for Cardrona and Treble Cone .

See the majestic Southern Alps, picturesque lakes and rivers and the wild beauty of the West Coast on this journey from Queenstown to Fox Glacier. Along the way your driver guide will provide commentary on this unique region. Pass man-made Lake Dunstan outside Cromwell, beautiful Lake Wanaka and its neighbouring Lake Hawea. Entering Mount Aspiring National Park, follow the historic route used by Māori as they travelled across the Southern Alps in search of pounamu (greenstone). Journey through the Haast Pass, the southernmost pass between the South Island's two coasts, enjoying views of native beech forest, waterfalls and glacier-fed rivers. Arriving on the West Coast, you enter an awe-inspiring landscape of vast rainforests, crystal clear waterfalls and rugged mountain tops. Here you will discover an isolated and tranquil part of New Zealand. Your journey concludes as you reach the small village of Fox Glacier.

Your accommodation: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier

This morning travel north through the small townships of Whataroa and Harihari. Pass through the township of Ross, which in the late 1800s was the centre of one of New Zealand's richest alluvial goldfields. In 1903 the largest gold nugget ever found in New Zealand was discovered at Jones Creek, not far from the town centre. It weighed 2807 grams. The New Zealand Government later purchased the nugget and presented it as a coronation gift to King George V. On arrival into Hokitika there is a short break in your journey. This allows time to purchase lunch, explore the town centre and relax. Hokitika is the administrative and commercial centre for this part of Westland. The major primary industry is timber milling. Dairy and sheep farming, commercial fishing, white baiting and eel processing being the other major industries. Your coach concludes at the Greymouth Train Station.

Considered one of the world's great train journeys, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train takes you from Greymouth to Christchurch. You'll travel across the South Island from the west to the east coast through Arthur's Pass National Park. From the comfort of your carriage see lush beech forest, deep river valleys and the spectacular peaks of the Southern Alps. Descend to the windswept Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch.

On arrival at the Christchurch railway station, you will be met by a driver and transferred to your Christchurch accommodation.

A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and transfer you to Christchurch Airport in time for your departing flight.

Get an Instant Quote or Book this Tour

Day 1 - Wētā Workshop Unleashed NZD$0

Day 8 - Lord of the Rings and Glacier Explorer Flight with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters NZD$0

Enter phone number to get a call from a travel planning expert within in 24 hours

Enter email address to receive your instant quote

Your quote for this tour:

Total cost for all guests on this tour package is:.

NOTE: Quotes are subject to availability of specific accommodation and other inclusions. Our NZ touring experts will be in touch with you regarding this. Costs quoted in currencies other than New Zealand dollars (NZ$) are based on todays exchange rate and is subject to change.Terms and Conditions apply

Remember - we can create this itinerary with any style of accommodation or customise to suit your interests and timeframe. Just contact us here.

See our privacy policy here

Some similar tours to this one

Outstanding new zealand, tolkiens new zealand, enchanting new zealand.

© Copyright 2024 Discover New Zealand | [email protected]

Trails of Middle Earth

The Lord of the Rings Sightseeing Experts/ NERDS!

Queenstown, New Zealand

Epic Adventures to the Real Middle Earth and Back Again

We’ll take you to the original film locations and put YOU in the scene while narrating humorous and intriguing tales from the time of filming. Join us for your personalised journey through the real Middle Earth.

Epic Scenery

Experience in person the panoramic wonders that were used to portray Middle Earth in the movies. From mountain ranges to green pastures and bush walks. Discover New Zealand at its best.

Knowledgeable Guides

Our superior knowledge and passion are unsurpassed. In fact we call ourselves “ NERDS ” because of our obsession with everything “Rings”. We will wow you with stories, anecdotes and a wealth of background information of all things Lord of the Rings.

Authentic Props

We have the largest range of authentic licensed replica props including swords, axes, daggers, helmets and much more. We also have copies of the original scripts and production call sheets, adding so much more depth to your Middle Earth experience!

An introduction to Lord of the Rings Tours

Half Day in Middle Earth

Join us for our captivating half-day Lord of the Rings tour. Travel to locations used for filming the Lord of the Rings trilogy around the Queenstown region. See and experience spectacular landscapes featured in the films.

Full Day in Middle Earth

Gift Voucher

Give your friends and family an experience they’ll never forget! Purchase one of our Tour gift vouchers for them to redeem at their convenience. They then have the flexibility to choose a date that suits their schedule.

Private Tour – Half Day in Middle Earth

Your very own personal half-day Lord of the Rings tour. Travel to locations used for filming the Lord of the Rings trilogy around the Queenstown region. See and experience spectacular landscapes featured in the films.

Private Tour – Full Day in Middle Earth

Your very own personal tour that combines our Half Day in Middle Earth tour with a second half day adventure that explores even more epic Middle Earth landscapes and film locations. A must-have experience for die-hard LOTR fans.

Phone +64-3-428 2192

[email protected]

Ultimate Lord of the Rings Road Trip

Published by bry on october 20, 2021 october 20, 2021.

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies were both filmed throughout New Zealand, making use of the country’s naturally fantastical landscapes.

While traveling and temporarily living in New Zealand, I was lucky enough to visit almost every Lord of the Rings filming location. Here I’ve put together the most efficient Lord of the Rings road trip that hits many of the most recognizable, quintessential filming locations.

North Island Road Trip

This portion of the road trip begins in Auckland where most international flights come in. It ends in Wellington where there is also a major airport or a ferry to the South Island where the road trip could be continued.

1. Weathertop in Port Waikato

About 1 hr. 10 mins. from Auckland. Weathertop (Amon Sûl) is the hill where the Hobbits are attacked by Ringwraiths in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring . Though the ruins were computer generated, the hill itself is very recognizable. The filming location is on private farmland but can be seen from Waikaretu Road just South of Port Waikato.

2. Hobbiton in Matamata

About 2 hrs. from Port Waikato Hobbiton was originally built in 1999 for The Lord of the Rings trilogy and mostly demolished after filming. Thankfully it was rebuilt for The Hobbit trilogy and has remained as a tourist attraction ever since. Walking into the Hobbiton Movie Set is like walking into the actual Hobbiton and is a must-do for fans and non-fans alike. Read more about Hobbiton …

Recommended non-LOTR Stop: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

3. Mordor on Mt. Ruapehu

About 2.5 hrs. from Matamata The area around the Whakapapa Ski Resort on Mount Ruapehu and a rock formation named Mead’s Wall served as Mordor in quite a few scenes in all three Lord of the Rings movies. These scenes include the War of the Last Alliance in the prologue, Frodo and Sam seeing Mordor in the distance for the first time, Gollum attacking Sam and Frodo, and more. From Whakapapa you can also get an amazing view of Mount Ngauruhoe, the volcano that played the part of Mount Doom .

4. Gollum’s Pool on Mt. Ruapehu

Directly on the way to/from Whakapapa Tawhai Falls on Mount Ruapehu is also referred to as “Gollum’s Pool” for the role it played as The Forbidden Pool in Ithilien in The Two Towers . Here you can get a view of the falls from Gollum’s perspective as well as from Frodo and Faramir’s view from above.

Recommended non-LOTR Stop: Palmerston North

5. Rivendell in Kaitoke Regional Park

About 4.5 hrs. from Tawhai Falls Kaitoke Regional Park is the only Lord of the Rings filming location that still has references to its role in the movies (the road signs even say Rivendell!). There are signs and maps all over the park pointing out where buildings like Frodo’s bedroom were constructed and which trees can be seen in the movies. There’s even a reconstruction of an Elven archway dedicated to all Lord of the Rings fans.

7. Valley of Harrowdale at the Putangirua Pinnacles

About 2.5 hrs. out of the way (including there and back to Kaitoke) These awe-inspiring pinnacles served as the Valley of Harrowdale where the Paths of the Dead are located in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King . There are multiple trails that allow visitors to hike into the valley or up to a lookout above the formations. These formations truly make you feel as though you are in an entirely different world. Though it is quite off the beaten track and somewhat far from the rest of these filming locations, it is absolutely worth the journey out to see it.

6. Anduin River in Upper Hut

About 25 mins. from Kaitoke Regional Park The Hutt River throughout Upper Hutt was used to portray the Anduin River in The Fellowship of the Ring when the Fellowship paddles along the Anduin in Elven canoes. You can get a great view of the Hutt River and the surrounding scenery and skip some pebbles in Poet’s Park.

8. The Shire in Wellington

About 40 mins. from Upper Hut Mount Victoria in Wellington is home to several locations where the Hobbits were filmed leaving the Shire and escaping the Ringwraiths. It is easy to get to from anywhere in Wellington and is a great place to recreate some scenes from The Fellowship of the Ring . Mount Victoria and its popular Hobbit’s Hideaway trail will make you feel as though you’re traversing the woods surrounding the Shire. Read more about Hobbit’s Hideaway…

9. The Weta Cave in Wellington

About 10 mins. from Hobbit’s Hideaway Although much of the filming was actually done at a studio a couple minutes down the street, Weta Workshop created the majority of the props, scenery, costumes, and special effects for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. The Weta Cave tour has an extensive display of props from many of Peter Jackson’s movies (including LotR and The Hobbit ) and other movies the workshop has worked on. Even the gift shop is a true marvel, with tons of elaborate, handcrafted miniatures available for purchase. Book your own tour of the Weta Cave here . (Not sponsored, I just love this tour.)

South Island Road Trip

The South Island portion of this road trip could be a stand-alone trip or continued from the North Island portion by ferry. The South Island trip begins in the North in Picton, where the interisland ferry docks, and ends in Queenstown, a major city with an international airport. This trip includes the most enjoyable filming locations and passes through some amazing South Island scenery.

1. Dimrill Dale via Nelson Helicopter Tours OR Mount Owen Hike

About 2 or 2.5 hrs. from Picton Ferry, respectively Perhaps the most insanely difficult filming location to get to, Mount Owen played the part of Dimrill Dale in the Fellowship of the Ring when the fellowship exits Moria and mourns the death of Gandalf. There are two ways to access this location but neither is easy: by helicopter tour from Nelson or via a 9 hour advanced hike . I’ve never had the opportunity to do either, but both seem amazing depending on your budget and hiking capabilities.

Recommended non-LOTR Stop: Arthur’s Pass

2. Edoras on Mt. Sunday

About 7.5 hrs from Mount Owen/Nelson Mount Sunday played the role of the city of Edoras in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. The hill where Edoras was built is easily accessible via a short hike and without a tour. None of the set remains, but you can clearly see where The Golden Hall once was and can easily spot scenery from the movies. The surrounding mountains make for an unbeatable view. Read more about visiting Edoras…

Though this is quite the drive, there are many amazing places to stop in-between, including Nelson Lakes National Park, Christchurch, and Arthur’s Pass.

3. Lake-town/Lonely Mountain on Lake Pukaki

About 3.5 hrs. from Mount Sunday Though technically a filming location for The Hobbit , not Lord of the Rings , anyone visiting New Zealand’s South Island should stop to take in the view of Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook. In The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug , the beautifully blue Lake Pukaki played the Long Lake where Lake-Town was computer generated. Mount Cook, the tallest peak in New Zealand, appropriately played the part of The Lonely Mountain. You can get a great view of both Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook from the Lake Pukaki lookout, but I highly recommend doing the Hooker Valley hike to get some really amazing views of Mount Cook and its glaciers.

4. Pelennor Fields in Twizel

About 15 mins. from Lake Pukaki lookout Pelennor Fields is the location outside of Minas Tirith where the largest battle of the War of the Ring took place. Most of the area where this was filmed is on private farmland, so the only way to visit is with a tour, which I would highly recommend for any dedicated LotR fans. The tour guide is extremely knowledgeable about the filming of the movies and how the town was involved. The tour includes comparison photos, reenactments of the Rohirrim’s charge, and other reenactments you can participate in, with costumes and props included. Edit: As of July 2023, it appears this tour of Pelennor Fields is no longer available. A tour of this location is still available as part of some multi-day Lord of the Rings tours. Please let me know if you know of a Pelennor Fields only tour that I can link to!

Recommended non-LOTR Stop: Wanaka

5. Ford of Bruinen in Arrowtown

About 2 hrs. 15 mins. from Twizel In The Fellowship of the Ring , Arwen (or Glorfindel in the book) carries an injured Frodo over the Bruinen River in an attempt to escape the Ringwraiths. The Arrow River just North of the Lakes District Museum in Arrowtown was used to film the majority of this scene. Though the exact location can be difficult to identify depending on the time of year, it is easy to imagine the Ringwraiths getting washed away as Arwen and Frodo flee.

6. Dimrill Dale in The Remarkables

About 40 mins. from Arrowtown to car park The Lake Alta area in The Remarkables mountain range also plays the part of Dimrill Dale in The Fellowship of the Ring when the Fellowship exits Moria. Aragorn stands in front of the lake as shown above, looking out towards Lothlorien. The Lake Alta track begins at The Remarkables skifield and is about 2 miles (~3.2 km) out and back. This hike is a bit steep but not difficult, and gives amazing views of the Remarkables range and the Queenstown area below. The drive up to the car park can be hazardous, so I recommend only doing this hike in good weather.

7. Ithilien in Mount Creighton

About 45 mins. from The Remarkables On the Bob’s Cove Track in Mount Creighton is the lookout where Frodo and Sam see the men of Harad and the Oliphaunts in The Two Towers . The entire Mount Creighton area is gorgeous and you can get great views of Lake Wakatipu.

8. Isengard in Glenorchy

About 45 mins. from Ithilien Lookout In my opinion, the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand. It’s no surprise that it was chosen as the beautiful backdrop for Isengard. Though Isengard was computer generated, the mountains are easily recognizable. The “Isengard Lookout” is marked on google maps, but I recommend going over the bridge to the corner of Routeburn road for an even better view.

Would you rather road trip the North Island, South Island, or both? Think I missed something? Let me know in the comments below!

Pin to read later!

Avery WePrint Australia · January 8, 2022 at 7:44 am

Great content! Keep up the good work!

Hold Porn · January 25, 2022 at 12:42 am

First time here, haha

Jose · January 28, 2023 at 12:36 pm

Nice job on this

Bry · January 28, 2023 at 12:41 pm

Thank you very much!

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Related posts.

Summitting Mount Doom (Mt. Ngauruhoe, NZ)

Mount Ngauruhoe is one of three volcanoes in Tongariro National Park, a dual world heritage site located on the North Island of New Zealand. While Mt. Ngauruhoe has always had great spiritual and cultural significance Read more…

Hiking the Edoras Filming Location on Mount Sunday, NZ

The Lord of the Rings used Mount Sunday in Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand as the filming location for the city of Edoras. Mount Sunday, surrounded on all sides by fields, mountain ranges, and rivers, is the perfect location for Edoras.

Lord of the Rings

7 must-see lord of the rings filming locations.

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies were both filmed throughout New Zealand, making use of the country’s naturally fantastical landscapes. Read on to see my top 7 Lord of the Rings Read more…

Helpful tips

Here's a few useful links to help with planning your trip to Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Best things to do in the North Island
• Best things to do in the South Island
• Other Islands
• Best ways to travel around
• Calculate travel times and distances

The Lord of the Rings filming locations

New Zealand's mountain ranges, wild rivers and grassy fields provided the perfect setting for the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Here is where you can find Middle‑earth™ for yourself.

Whether or not you're a Tolkien fan, you'll find it almost impossible not to compare New Zealand to Middle‑earth™. 

From the towering mountains and dreamy Hobbiton™ in the Shire, New Zealand's otherworldly landscapes brought the movies to life. 

Where was Lord of the Rings filmed?

The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand. Filming locations spanned more than 150 locations in both the North and the South Islands. 

Lord of the Rings locations in the North Island

One of the most popular film locations in New Zealand is found in Matamata. 

The Shire and Hobbiton™ Movie Set

Hobbiton™ Movie Set, Waikato

By Matt Crawford

The lush dairy farming landscape around the Waikato town of Matamata was used to portray the peaceful Shire region of Middle‑earth™. The   village of Hobbiton  was created here with brilliant attention to detail.

It was later rebuilt for the filming of The Hobbit Trilogy and is now a permanent attraction. 

See glorious  360-degree images of Hobbiton here.

Ruapehu: The Forbidden Pool

Tawhai Falls, Ruapehu

By Graeme Murray

Tawhai Falls (opens in new window) in Tongariro National Park (opens in new window) was the location for the forbidden pool, where Frodo and Faramir capture Gollum in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'. The falls can be reached via a short 10-minute walk, which begins roughly 4 km from Whakapapa Village.

Wellington:  Gardens of Isengard, the River Anduin, Rivendell, Osgiliath Wood, Paths of the Dead

Kaitoke Regional Park, Wellington

By JuergenSchulte

The most accessible filming  location in Wellington  is Mount Victoria, which is within walking distance of the central city. The forested areas of the mountain were used to depict Hobbiton Woods, where the hobbits hid from the black riders.

Other Wellington locations include the Hutt River between Moonshine and Tōtara Park, which played the part of the River Anduin; and Harcourt Park, which was transformed into the Gardens of Isengard.

Wellington’s Kaitoke Regional Park  became Rivendell, where Frodo recovered from the knife attack. The exact location - a grassy area surrounded by native forest - is signposted from the carpark.

From Wellington, you can drive up the west coast to Queen Elizabeth Park near Paraparaumu, which was used for filming the Nazgul and mumakil in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Further up the coast is Waitarere Forest (Osgiliath Wood), where Frodo, Sam and Gollum walked after leaving Faramir.

A drive over the hills to the Wairarapa region will take you to the eerie Putangirua Pinnacles, where Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli sought the Paths of the Dead.

Wellington is also home to Wētā Workshop (opens in new window) , Wētā Digital and the Miramar film empire which is central to The Hobbit Trilogy production. While the movie business centre is off-limits to visitors, The Lord of the Rings pilgrims can experience the Wētā Cave.

Locations in the South Island

The sheer drama of the South Island's mountain ranges and wilderness areas means there are dozens of filming locations to visit that are stunning in their own right - even non-movie buffs will enjoy these. 

Nelson Tasman:  Home of the 'One Ring', Chetwood Forest and Dimrill Dale

Nelson Lakes National Park, Nelson Tasman

By Active Adventures New Zealand

Nelson Tasman  is home to Jens Hansen, the goldsmith responsible for creating the 40 different rings used in production. One of the original rings is on display and copies can be bought in 9 and 18ct gold. 

From Nelson drive west over Takaka Hill, which was the filming site for Chetwood Forest. Here the Ranger 'Strider' led the hobbits into the rough country east of Bree in an attempt to escape the Black Riders.

You'll need to catch a helicopter to see where the fellowship hid from Saruman's black crows. Ask the pilot to show you Dimrill Dale - Mount Olympus and Mount Owen. From the air, you'll get an eagle's view of the region's three national parks - Abel Tasman , Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi . 

Canterbury:  Edoras

Mount Sunday (Edoras), Christchurch - Canterbury

By PhillipC

Nestled in the Ashburton District's high country sits Mount Sunday - a sheer-sided hill that was the set for Edoras, the main city of the Rohan people. Nothing remains of this set, which took nine months to build, however the location still has powerful magic. You can park your vehicle on Hakatere Potts Road and walk to the site. Nearby, Mount Potts Station offers accommodation and a restaurant.

Mackenzie Country:  Pelennor Fields

Canterbury, Christchurch - Canterbury

By Oisín Duke

Near Twizel in the Mackenzie Country, Peter Jackson filmed the epic battle of the Pelennor Fields, where thousands of orcs bred by Sauron clashed with the men of Gondor and Rohan. The grassy fields that stretch to the foothills of the mountains look exactly as described in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The location is on private land, however you can arrange a tour in the town of Twizel .

Southern Lakes:  Ford of Bruinen, Gandalf’s ride, Isengard and Lothlorien

Mount Aspiring National Park, Wānaka

By Gilbert van Reenen

From the  village of Glenorchy , at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, you can see the north-western slopes of Mount Earnslaw, which featured in the opening sequence of The Two Towers. From Glenorchy, you can also discover Lothlorien - the beech forest on the road to Paradise.

Another memorable location can be found near Queenstown at Arrowtown where you can walk to the Ford of Bruinen on the Arrow River; you can also walk to Wilcox Green, where the Gladden Fields scenes were filmed.

From Chard Farm winery you can see a spectacular view of the Anduin and Argonath (Pillar of Kings). The Pillars were computer-generated in the studio.

Drive over the Crown Range Road and you’ll find yourself in the Cardrona Valley. From here you can drive to the summit of the Crown Range for a panoramic view of Middle‑earth™. To the left are the River Anduin and the Pillars of the Argonath. In the hills straight ahead is the Dimrill Dale. In the distance is Amon Hen on the shore of Nen Hithoel.

Fiordland:  River Anduin, Fangorn Forest

Waiau River (LOTR filming location - The River Anduin), Fiordland

By Cheeky Kiwi Travel

The Waiau River between Te Anau and Manapouri represented the River Anduin as the Fellowship paddled south from Lothlórien. The surrounding high peaks were used to depict the rough country south of Rivendell.

To discover Fangorn Forest, ask for directions to Takaro Road, which is near Te Anau. Both sides of the road were filmed as Fangorn Forest; remote cameras were strung from high wires to film the hobbits moving through the trees.

• Share on Facebook
• Share by email

Where to next?

Home of Middle‑earth™ long-arrow-right

The Hobbit Trilogy long-arrow-right

Middle‑earth™ itineraries long-arrow-right

I've never seen 'The Lord of the Rings' but went to the New Zealand set where it was filmed. It's one of the most magical places I've ever been.

• I visited the New Zealand set where scenes from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" filmed.
• I hadn't seen the movies and wondered if I was wasting my time by visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set.
• Even without seeing LOTR, I thought it was a New Zealand attraction that's not to be missed. 

Hours after my red-eye flight landed in Auckland, New Zealand, I was in a van heading to the Hobbiton Movie Set, where scenes from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "The Hobbit" were filmed.

Source: Hobbiton Movie Set

Hobbiton is a fictional place in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" books. It's part of what the book calls The Shire, located in a fantasy world named Middle-earth.

Hobbiton is home to some of the series' most famous hobbits like Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, and the Hobbiton Movie Set is where many scenes were filmed. Today, it's one of New Zealand's most famous tourist attractions, according to Culture Trip.

Source: Culture Trip

For many, "The Lord of the Rings" is a main motivator to visit New Zealand. In 2019, for example, Matador Network reported that tourism around the movies, known as "Tolkien Tourism," contributed $428 million USD to the county's economy.

Source: Matador Network

As a tourist in New Zealand, I felt like an outlier. I'm not the biggest fantasy fan, and I've never seen the movies or picked up the books.

But since it seemed like a quintessential part of visiting New Zealand, I signed up for a tour of Hobbiton.

I booked a tour through the third-party company FlexiToursNZ for $175 USD, which included transportation and an official tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set.

Source:  FlexiToursNZ

On my first day in the country, a driver arrived at my hotel in downtown Auckland to transport me and a group of six others to the Hobbiton Movie Set.

Source: FlexiToursNZ

On the two-hour drive from Auckland to New Zealand's Matamata region, where the Hobbiton Movie Set is located, I felt a flurry of emotions.

I was thrilled to be in a beautiful country with 10 days of adventuring ahead. I was exhausted from the 13-hour flight. And I wondered if I was wasting my day by exploring an attraction created around something I knew so little about.

Read more: I took a 13-hour flight to New Zealand from LA. Here are 8 mistakes I made and what I'll do differently on my flight home.

As the van barreled down narrow roads, I was thankful that at the bare minimum, I'd at least enjoy a stunning drive. As the city's skyscrapers filled the rearview mirror, ahead were vibrant rolling hills dotted with sheep.

Finally, I arrived at the Hobbiton Movie Set. I spotted a café, a souvenir shop selling hobbit trinkets, and bathrooms. What I didn't see was Hobbiton.

From listening to friends rave about the movies, I knew Hobbiton was known for its round, colorful doors and homes built into a hillside. I saw none of that as I looked around.

My driver explained that this was where the tour departed — not where Hobbiton was located. I'd join a larger group on a bus where I'd meet my official tour guide and head to Hobbiton, the driver said.

I did just that and embarked on a five-minute drive to Hobbiton. On the short ride, the tour guide assured us that we'd have a fun time regardless of if we've seen "The Lord of the Rings."

Once off the bus, I again searched for the colorful hobbit holes. The only thing I noticed was a sign confirming I was in the right place.

Our group of about 20 people walked along a muddy, narrow path. As I turned a corner, Hobbiton finally came into view.

The reveal felt magical. Built into a hillside were bright, circular doors and hobbit homes. Smoke billowed from tiny chimneys and a vegetable garden sat at the bottom of the hill.

As the tour zig-zagged up the hill, I stopped at tiny hobbit holes with little mailboxes and miniature-sized fences. Our guide explained that this was the location used in both "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit."

According to my guide, the movie's director Peter Jackson first spotted the land on an aerial search for filming locations for "The Lord of the Rings."

When Jackson saw the rolling hills with mountain views, massive oaks, and ponds, our tour guide said the director immediately knew that this was the closest thing to Middle-earth.

According to my guide, when movie scouts approached the farm's owner, Ian Alexander, he had never heard of "The Lord of the Rings." Ultimately, he agreed to the construction of Hobbiton on his 1,250-acre sheep farm.

The same location was used for filming both "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies. However, the movie set for "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy was disassembled after filming, my tour guide said.

When directors approached the Alexander family again to film "The Hobbit," the family insisted that the directors build a permanent set and transform their farm into a tourist attraction.

The filmmakers agreed, and today, there are 44 permanent hobbit holes on 14 acres of farmland co-owned by the movie makers and the Alexander family, the guide said.

As I looked around, I didn't feel like I was on a movie set. Instead, it felt like I had stepped into a real-life fantasy.

I towered over the circular doors and peered into the little homes.

Each one was unique. One hobbit hole was staged to look like a baker's home with a stand of fake bread outside. Another had a picnic table lined with child-size replicas of cheese, vegetables, and cakes.

According to my guide, the property's biggest undertaking was a giant oak above Bag End, which is where the hobbit characters Bilbo and Frodo Baggins live.

The massive oak was real when they filmed "The Lord of the Rings." But since "The Hobbit" takes place 60 years earlier, they cut it down and replaced it with a younger replica of the same tree, my tour guide said.

That replica, the tour guide said, has 200 branches and thousands of hand-painted leaves imported from Taiwan. "On a windy day, the tree sways just like the natural trees," my guide said.

From a distance, it was impossible to spot which tree was fake. As I approached the replica, I was amazed by how real it looked.

As the two-hour tour continued, plenty of details and references went over my head due to my lack of movie knowledge.

Luckily, the stories about the lengths the filmmakers went to create movies that were similar to the books they're based on kept me fascinated throughout the entire tour.

For example, the farm had more than 10,000 sheep when filming started. But because Jackson didn't think the look of the breed matched the book, he imported thousands of Suffolk sheep to the set instead.

And even after all that effort, there isn't a single sheep spotted in the movie, the tour guide said..

After walking past the 44 hobbit holes, the group headed to the Party Tree and Party Field, which I learned was where Bilbo's farewell party scene took place.

It was once a swamp, our tour guide said, but was transformed into an open field and decorated with lanterns.

From the field, we crossed over a bridge to the Green Dragon Inn, which was the meeting place for Hobbiton residents in the movies.

Here, our tour guide switched roles and became a bartender. He poured us ales and ciders, which were included in the price of the tour, to help us feel like we reenacting the movies.

I grabbed a glass of ginger beer and walked around the interior and exterior of the inn, which our guide said was a replica of what was featured in the films.

The intricate details I saw throughout the inn and across the entire property impressed me. It seemed like the directors went to impressive lengths to recreate every detail from the books.

Once my ceramic mug was drained, the tour was over. As my group headed back to the bus, another group was starting their tour, and I spotted a few tourists dressed up as movie characters.

Two hours in the whimsical world flew by, even with my limited knowledge. As I spoke with the fans around me, they said they were even more mystified and amazed by Hobbiton than I was.

On the drive back to Auckland, I scrolled through the hundreds of photos I snapped, and realized I was already missing the magical place with its stunning scenery and impressive details.

Ultimately, the Hobbiton Movie Set tour felt like an ideal way to kick off my trip to New Zealand. And it gave me an even better reason to finally watch the iconic films.

• Main content

We are open 7 days. Availability is limited. We recommend booking in advance.

Choose a Tour

• Date Selected
• Group size 1
• Departing from Tour from The Shire's Rest™ From Matamata I-Site
• Departing from Hobbiton™ Beer Festival - Saturday Hobbiton™ Beer Festival - Friday

• Second Breakfast Tour

You've already had breakfast, but what about second breakfast? Enjoy a shared tour of the Movie Set followed by a hearty breakfast spread served inside the Millhouse. 

As one of our first tours of the day, you will make the first footsteps in the morning dew as you journey past the colourful Hobbit Hole™ doors that scatter the hillsides, including the iconic Bag End, home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, before arriving at Bagshot Row™ for a glimpse of the interior of a humble Hobbit’s home.

Designed and crafted by the renowned creative teams behind the film trilogies, Bagshot Row offers an authentic glimpse into the charming dwellings of Hobbits going about daily life in the Shire. Your guide will lead you through one of two Hobbit Holes offering time to explore the detailed interiors, with each home designed to create an identical experience.  

Continue along the pathways past The Millhouse, across the double-arch stone bridge and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn where you will be offered a complimentary beverage from our exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range. Explore the intricately detailed Inn and relax in front of the crackling fireplace while we prepare your second breakfast feast.

Follow your guide back over the double arch stone bridge to The Millhouse, just across the water from The Green Dragon Inn, where you will be treated to a breakfast spread fit for a Hobbit. The breakfast table will be heaped with seasonal fresh fruit, breads, pastries, preserves and cold meats. A hot breakfast selection featuring an assortment of a Hobbit's favourite breakfast staples including fluffy scrambled eggs, streaky bacon, potatoes, grilled sausages and rosemary mushrooms will be available.

Coffee and tea will be available throughout, as you enjoy the rustic, intimate interiors of the Old Mill. After you've had your fill, it's time to make your way back through the wandering paths of The Shire and return to The Shire's Rest, after all, this is only the second of a Hobbit's seven daily meals!

Second Breakfast Tour includes

• A fully guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set
• A visit to The Green Dragon Inn with your first Hobbit Southfarthing beverage upon arrival
• A second breakfast spread in The Millhouse featuring continental and hot items
• Coffee and tea served inside The Millhouse during second breakfast 

Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential. Please advise any dietary requirements you may have at time of booking in the provided field. 

Please be aware this experience involves a shared family-style dining for breakfast inside The Millhouse. You will be seated at a banquet table with others from your tour departure and the meal is self-service from the centre of the table. 

COVID-19: See our COVID-19 page for information.

View our booking terms and conditions and cancellation policy here . 

NEW! Venture Beyond the Door: All tours now include exploring the interior of a Hobbit Hole on Bagshot Row.  Learn more about Bagshot Row here .

The Shire's Rest ™, 501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera, Matamata . 

Selected weekly departures available. To view available dates, please check the table below

3.5 hours approximately including transport to and from The Shire's Rest.

NEW! Venture Beyond the Door All tours now include exploring the interior of a Hobbit Hole on Bagshot Row.  Learn more about the new tour experience here .

Please report to The Shire's Rest ticketing centre no later than 20 minutes before your tour is due to depart. This is a fully guided walking tour and sensible footwear is recommended. 

Please ensure your booking includes a ticket for everyone in your group even children 0-10 years. All guests must have ticket allocated prior to arrival to ensure we can accommodate your group.

All prices are in New Zealand Dollars.

Maintenance on the Movie Set

Please be aware that there is some maintenance taking place on the Movie Set over your selected dates. This work will continue from 1 June – 30 September 2025. During this time, the main tour route will be unaffected however some contractors, maintenance and construction equipment will be working on site in the gardens and rear of the Party Field during your experience. Bag End, Bagshot Row and The Green Dragon Inn will not be affected.

Second Breakfast Menu

This menu is indicative only and subject to change with the seasons without notice

• A selection from the pastry basket : Freshly baked scones, sweet danish pastries, muffins
• Fresh seasonal fruit DF/GF/VGN
• A selection of sliced cold meats GF
• A selection of New Zealand cheeses
• Fresh orange and fruit juice
• Coffee and tea
• Fluffy scrambled eggs DF/GF
• Herb roasted potatoes DF/GF/VGN
• Grilled lamb sausage DF/GF
• Streaky bacon DF/GF
• Balsamic and herb mushrooms DF/GF/VGN
• Please include any dietary requirements in the provided field and our chefs will cater for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shire's rest™.

The Shire's Rest ™ is our headquarters and location where all of our tours depart from. It is located at 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, Matamata - click here for directions . 

It is located approximately 15 minutes from Matamata town centre, and from here it is about a 10 minute bus ride to the Movie Set which is included in our tours.

You do not need to book a tour to visit The Shire's Rest.  On site here at The Shire's Rest is our Ticketing Centre , Retail Shop and Cafe . There is ample parking here on site, with plenty of space for large vehicles and camper vans too. 

What does 'No Departure' or 'Fully Booked' mean when searching for tour on your website?

When you are searching for a tour on our website, there are four statuses that may appear - No Departure, Fully Booked, Book Now - Limited Places and Book Now. 

No Departure means that the tour experience you are searching for is not available on that date. 

Fully Booked means that all tickets for that tour experience on that date are sold out. 

Book Now - Limited Places will appear with a gold button and red writing below. This means that there are only a small amount of tickets left (9 or less) for that tour experience on that date. We recommend booking as soon as possible if you are hoping to join one of these tours as when tickets are fully booked we cannot increase capacity. 

Book Now will appear with a gold button with white writing on it. This means that there are greater than 10 seats available for that tour experience on that date. We still recommend pre-booking as far in advance as you can to avoid missing the tour day and time that best suits your itinerary. 

Does the Evening Banquet Tour and Second Breakfast Tour include the Movie Set Tour or do I need to book both to have the full experience?

Our Evening Banquet Tour and Second Breakfast Tour experiences both include a guided tour of the Movie Set at the beginning of the experience. This is the same tour experience guests get on our day tour. If you wish to do a tour at a different time of day as well, then you are welcome to book multiple experiences. 

Will my tour still operate in wet weather?

Yes, we operate in all weather conditions. Umbrellas are provided in the event of rain and we highly recommend you dress appropriately for the weather, with enclosed footwear.

In the event of extreme weather conditions we reserve the right to make alternative tour arrangements for you.

What happens if I am late for my tour?

If you are going to be late for your tour, we recommend you call us as soon as you are able to so we can discuss options with you. If you are unable to call us and arrive late, we will do our best to put you on the next available tour departure. Please note that if we are extremely busy, the next available tour may be several hours later, and in rare occurrences may not be on the same day.

Explore Hobbiton™ Movie Set

• Choose your Hobbiton™ Movie Set Experience
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Google Plus
• Share on Weibo
• Send to a Friend
• Print this page

TEL: +64 7 888 1505

The Shire's Rest: 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera

Tours depart daily from The Shire's Rest and Matamata i-SITE

Tour Experiences

The Green Dragon™ Inn

The Shire's Rest™

PRIVATE EVENTS

Host a Private Event

Venue Information

Current Vacancies

• Follow us on Facebook
• Follow us on Instagram
• See us on TripAdvisor

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can learn more in our   Privacy Policy .

The Lord of the Rings Tour - 10 day

Journey to Middle-earth!

Our 10 day The Lord of the Rings Tours will take you from the capital Wellington to New Zealand’s adventure capital Queenstown.

• Overview & highlights
• Inclusions & Add ons

Our 10-day The Lord of the Rings Tours will take you from the capital Wellington to New Zealand’s adventure capital Queenstown.

On the way, you’ll discover captivating scenery, visit unique filming locations, meet characters involved in the making of the films, and experience a whirlwind adventure through Middle-earth.

Along the way, there are opportunities for helicopter flights and landings on iconic mountains used in the films, blacksmithing workshops, kayaking down rivers in stunning The Lord of the Rings movie locations, bungee jumping, skydiving or 4-wheel drive tours to amazing and remote film locations. All within a small fellowship of like-minded travellers, led by our passionate Lord Of The Rings guides.

• Direct Bookings: Receive a Red Carpet Tours welcome pack.
• Climb the magnificent Edoras
• Special presentation and custom souvenirs from the LOTR and The Hobbit Calligrapher and map maker, Daniel Reeve!
• Behind-the-scenes Weta Workshop Tour and exclusive discounts for Red Carpet Tours passengers!
• Relax and enjoy a scenic cruise ( 3.5 hours ) between the North and South Islands
• Meet the makers of the 'One Ring'
• Experience the magnificent Laketown
• Charge across the Pelennor Fields
• Experience the beautiful Queenstown - the fun and adventure capital of New Zealand
• Visit beautiful Rohan country
• Kayak down the same river as the Dwarves in Barrels scene from The Hobbit
• Meet people involved with both The Lord Of The Rings & The Hobbit Trilogies!

Take a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Middle-earth.

2025 Tour Prices

Single NZ$ 7,300 (approx USD $4,385) 

Double: NZ$6,200 per person (2 people sharing a room)  (approx USD $3,730) 

Triple: NZ$6,200 per person (3 people sharing a room)  (approx USD $3,730) 

Please check a current exchange website for your currency.

Arrival Day

- Wellington

Check in at the Tour Hotel in Wellington at any time from 2 p.m. onwards and enjoy some free time in the city until you meet with your Tour Leader at 5.30pm. This evening you may like to dine at “The Green Parrot Restaurant” - said to be a favourite of Viggo’s. Accommodation: In Wellington city for the next 3 nights.

- Wellywood Day

Wellywood Day in New Zealand's movie capital! Extended Weta Workshop Tour, Weta Cave shopping and Weta Workshop hands on activities, The beautiful Roxy Theatre for lunch ~ included in the tour. Later today we check out the "Get off the road!" location from FOTR, overlooking the city. A full cooked Breakfast is included from Day 1 to 9.

- Presentation day with Daniel Reeve

Presentation day with LOTR / Hobbit Calligrapher Daniel Reeve, purchase custom souvenirs . Winter months a special movie guest is included as well. Later today is yours to explore Te Papa Museum / see a movie at the special Embassy Theatre / or visit other Wellington places of interest.

- Wellington to Nelson

Our North Island Adventure concludes and our South Island Adventure begins! We catch the Inter-Island ferry from Wellington, sail to Picton in the South Island (approx. 3.5 hrs). After lunch, on our way to Nelson, stopping along the way to view the famous river, where the Dwarfs escaped from the Elves, in barrels! How about a fantastic 1 hour easy kayak down this amazing river and movie location with experienced local guides!! (optional extra) Accommodation tonight: Nelson.

- Nelson day

Nelson day: This morning we meet and chat with the makers of the "One Ring". There, we meet Jens Hansen's son, Halfdan Hansen and see the wonderful range Lord Of The Rings and Hobbit jewellery. From lunchtime, weather permitting, there is a two hour ‘optional extra’ helicopter ride to the LOTR sites of 'South of Rivendell' and 'Dimrill Dale'. More than highly recommended! Accommodation tonight: Nelson

- Kaikoura to Christchurch

An early start south via the very scenic Kaikoura Coast stopping along the way for second breakfast, lunch and to see the beautiful fur seals at play. A great photography day and our RCT coach quiz! We then travel on south to Christchurch. An early night tonight for a big day tomorrow. Accommodation: Christchurch

It's time to head for the site (remote magnificence) that is EDORAS! We trek to the top and fly our Rohan Banner on the site of the Golden Hall! Later we’ll view beautiful, mountain-fed lakes - Tekapo and Pukaki and see N.Z’s highest Mountain - Aoraki / Mt. Cook, over 12,500 ft high. Accommodation: Twizel (Buffet Dinner included tonight.) This is a great place to study the night sky - and see the Southern Cross. Special guest tonight is a local Hobbit inspired seamstress, you may like to buy your own cloak.

- Pelennor Fields & Laketown

We depart for the Pelennor Fields ~ an area that once rang to the thunderous sound of 250 horses on the charge, as King Theoden’s battle speech roused men to battle. Moving on, we have a guided tour of the stunning Laketown film location and then Omarama for lunch. After lunch we make time to try your archery skills - perhaps we have a budding Bard or Tauriel amongst us? Afternoon tea at Mrs Jones's orchard, with amazing ice creams. Overnight - Cromwell.

- Cromwell to Queenstown

This morning there are opportunities to Bungy at the famous Kawarau AJ Hackett Bungy bridge. Keen to jump above the river Anduin? Then onto Queenstown to enjoy this beautiful location, here we have time to pay for our Sunday activities and buy some lunch to take with us tomorrow on our big locations day. Our last 3 nights are in picturesque Queenstown, many great restaurants to explore.

- Queenstown

The breaking of the Fellowship. Buy a picnic lunch today to take to Mavora Lakes, where we visit several Lord of The Rings NZ sites - The calling up of Shadowfax - The Silverlode bridge - The Orc funeral pyre - Fangorn Forest - Nen Hithoel - The log which concealed Merry & Pippin before Frodo left the fellowship - And where Sam and Frodo paddled away on the next stage of their journey. Stunning scenery! Tonight is our farewell dinner at our Hotel, feast like Hobbits ! Tomorrow is our Optional activity day in Queenstown.

- Optional LOTR Activities

Devote today to optional activities! A guided walk on the Routeburn Track? -A Nomad Safari 4 Wheel drive half day tour ! - A relaxing Wine and Food Tour. Perhaps a cruise on Lake Wakatipu. -A parasail over the lake. -A coach & cruise trip to Milford Sound. --An adrenalin Jet Boat ride or a Bungy jump? -Para-sailing? Para-gliding? White water rafting? A hot air balloon ride? Trout fishing? Relaxation at Onsen Hot Pools? -Or retail therapy ~ shopping in Queenstown. The list "goes ever on" and your Guide will discuss the many options available and assist with bookings.

Departure Day

- Thank you for travelling with us!

Alas ~ your journey through Middle Earth with Red Carpet Tours is at an end. Thank you for traveling with us ..... there and back again..... Haere ra ~ Good-bye from us all at Red Carpet Tours. "Nai tiruvantel ar varyuvantel i Valar tielyanna nu vilya: May the Valar protect you on your path under the sky." On departure day you will need a domestic airfare from Queenstown to Auckland and then your international flight home from Auckland. We can recommend Air New Zealand for this domestic flight: www.airnewzealand.co.nz

• Private Bus Transportation
• All Hotel accommodations during the Tour
• Welcome pack
• All private guiding
• Extended Weta Workshop Special activity day!
• 10 full cooked Breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 Dinners
• Department of Conservation fees
• Entry Fees to private The Lord of the Ring locations
• Inter-Island Ferry (3.5-hour scenic cruise ) Wellington - Picton
• Special movie guest presentations

Being in the Southern Hemisphere, our seasons here in New Zealand may be at different times of the year to yours (depending on where you live). Therefore, we have found it necessary to have seasonal itineraries to enhance your experience of Middle Earth. These comprise of the following months, please email us for a copy of your chosen New Zealand season itinerary. 

2024 Dates - Fully Booked

NEW 2025 Dates - Fully Booked

2026 Dates Coming Soon...

What people have said

Traveling New Zealand with RCT and Julie was amazing. It was the trip of a lifetime (but I hope to do it again!). It was very well put together and we got to see such amazing sites and do so many awesome things. I can't even name what my favorite part of the whole tour was because it was...

I went solo and am a bit of an introvert, but Julie and the rest of the tour members made this an unforgettable experience and made me feel right at home. This was number one on my bucket list and it exceeded my expectations across the board. If you're contemplating booking this tour, just...

"Exceptional! Marvellous! Outstanding! Just a few of the words I could use to describe how fabulous the Red Carpet Tours winter Lord of the Rings tour was. The organisation from beginning to end couldn’t be faulted. Hotels were carefully selected for location and quality. The days...

This was a trip of a lifetime. I honestly couldn’t imagine seeing Middle Earth any other way. Julie is amazing and truly cultivated an experience that I will treasure forever. If you’re thinking about booking this trip—just do it. I promise that you will have the time of your life.

I don’t have enough good things to say about this incredible experience. Our guide Julie is so knowledgeable and fun about everything LOTR AND New Zealand in general! My husband and I went for our belated honeymoon and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. You’re fed like Hobbits...

Taylor & Nick L

Just concluded my third trip with Red Carpet Tours. 5 stars for the 3rd time running! Excellent planning and attention to detail by the James Family and fabulous guiding by Julie. Once again, a very lovely, friendly ‘Fellowship’ of travellers with a common interest. You might expect...

Just returned as part of the February 2023 Fellowship with Red Carpet Tours and it was one of the best trips of my life. I've been wanting to do this for years and was worried my expectations might be too high, but it was amazing and I wish it didn't have to end! Love the family...

My second tour through Middle Earth (New Zealand) was just as wonderful as the first, the locations you are taken to are just amazing. Best suited for people with interest in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, you make so many friends throughout your journey that you become your own...

From first contact with the James family, and the Lord of the Rings-Red Carpet Tours, you are in the best of hands. You expect so much on the tour but you receive so much more. I came back from my first tour believing I'd never have a better, truly satisfying experience, and they could...

With Julie James as our guide (Feb. 2018) on the 14 day tour... it was excellent! She always took every effort and opportunity to see to everyone's requests. The hotels we stayed in were wonderful. The meals were delicious. But the tour itself??? Awesome!!! We had big LOTR and the Hobbit...

Katherine C

Lord of the Rings 10-Day New Zealand Tour

Join us on the lord of the rings 10-day new zealand tour from wellington to queenstown as we visit some of middle-earths most iconic filming locations, experiencing famous scenes featured in the lord of the rings trilogies..

On the way, you’ll discover captivating scenery, visit unique filming locations, meet characters involved in the making of the films, and experience a whirlwind adventure through Middle-earth. Fangorn Forest , the Gladden fields and the Pillars of the Kings are just a few of the famous film sets you will get to explore.

Hobbit , Lord of the Rings

• Public tour

From € 3.650 per person

• Weta Workshop
• Wellington Town Belt / Get off the Road scene
• Pelorus River / Dwarfs Barrel Ride
• Jens Hansen, The Ringmaker
• Mount Sunday / Edoras
• Twizel / Pelennor Fields
• Lake Pukaki / Lake-town
• North Mavora Lake / Nen Hithoel (Breaking of the Fellowship)
• Bog Pine Paddock / Fangorn Forest
• Mavora / The Burnt Orc Mound
• Arrowtown / Gladden Fields
• Arrowtown / Ford of Bruinen
• Kawarau River / Pillars of the Kings
• Climb the magnificent Edoras
• Visit the makers of the 'One Ring'
• Experience breathtaking Mordor
• Movie guest presentations
• Behind the scenes: Weta Workshop tour

Tour details

A NZ$ 500 per person deposit is required to confirm a booking. Deposits are non-refundable , but are transferable to another month should you need to alter your plans.

We strongly recommend you take out adequate travel insurance to cover personal accident, baggage, cancellation fees, delays or missed flights, sickness and medical expenses.

With our 10-Day Itinerary, you join the group in Wellington at our tour Hotel on the evening of Day 4 of the full tour.

Meeting point

Wellington. You’ll get the exact meeting point on confirmation.

Tour departs

Click the “Book this tour” button to see the available tour dates.

Queenstown. You will need a domestic airfare from Queenstown to Wellington or Auckland.

Live guide speaks

Max group size, tour operator.

Red Carpet Tours

Cancellation policy

45 days or more before start: full refund less NZ$ 500 per person (non-refundable deposit). 21 days or more before start: 75% refund . 11 days or more before start: 50% refund . After that time or no-show: no refund .

Accommodation Breakfast Entry fees Professional live guide Transport and driver Free gift set

Optional activities International airfare

Film series

Full description, arrival day: wellington.

After arrival at the Lord of the Rings 10-Day New Zealand Tour in Wellington, you’ll check-in at the tour Hotel from 14:00 to explore the city before meeting the tour leader. We recommend dining at one of Viggo’s favourite places in the Green Parrot Restaurant. The next three nights of accommodation will be in Wellington.

Day 1: Wellywood Day

Starting on day one and finishing on day nine, you will enjoy a fully-inclusive breakfast each morning before you depart for the days’ activities. Day one of the tour will start with experiencing the movie capital of New Zealand in Miramar . Visit the Windows into Workshop tour to marvel at the spectacular weapon and armour displays from the movies, purchase a souvenir and watch behind the scenes footage detailing the Weta company’s history. Experience the Wellywood location as a guided tour shows you some of the special effects used in some of the biggest movies ever. Experience the Weta Cave before heading to the Roxy Theatre for lunch on the house. The latter part of day 1 consists of visiting the filming location of the Get off the Road scene featured in The LOTR, offering stunning views of the city.

Day 2: Presentation day with Daniel Reeve

Day two of the tour won’t involve as much travelling,  as we enjoy an extensive and interactive presentation from Daniel Reeve , The LOTR and The Hobbit Calligrapher and Cartographer. For those visiting during the winter months, day two will also include a presentation from an additional special movie guest. Following the performances you’ll have ample time to explore the attractions nearby such as the Te Papa Museum , watching a movie at the Special Embassy Theatre or experiencing the stunning scenery around Wellington.

Day 3: Wellington to Nelson

After finishing breakfast on day 3, we depart the North island and make our way to the South Island for the next part of the adventure. We’ll set sail from Wellington on the Inter-Island Ferry to the Southern island which takes around 3,5 hours. Lunch will be served (included with the tour), and we’ll then head for Nelson City as our next destination. While travelling to the city, you might like to stop off to see the filming location of the famous scene where the Elves travelled in barrels along the river. As an optional extra you might also like to get a closer look at this location taking a kayak down the river. The day ends with an inclusive stay at an accommodation in Nelson.

Day 4: Nelson Day

Day 4 is yours to explore at your leisure. We’d highly recommend the famous helicopter ride which showcases the LOTR sites located South of Rivendell (at an additional cost). The next step of the tour begins with heading back into Nelson City to meet the creators of the famous One Ring . While there you’ll meet Halfdan Hansen, Jens Hansen’s son to marvel at his breathtaking Hobbit and LOTR jewellery. Night four is in Nelson accommodation.

Day 5: Nelson to Christchurch

Day five will commence with an early start following breakfast to head South towards the Kaikoura Coast . While on the route you’ll stop for a second breakfast (or lunch) to witness the beautiful fur seals having fun. Day five boasts some fantastic photo opportunities, and you’ll also get to enjoy an RCT coach quiz. Finally, we depart for our next stop at Christchurch, where we spend the night before a busy day ahead.

Day 6: Edoras

With an early morning departure, we’ll embark for the filming location of Edoras , set upon a hill in a valley of the White Mountains. Making our way up to the top of the area is where we find the site of the Golden Hall, and here is where we’ll fly our Rohan Banner. Afterwards, we experience Tekapo and Pukaki, the breathtaking mountain fed-lakes before witnessing the highest mountain in New Zeland – Mt. Cook. The evening will include an inclusive dinner while enjoying a presentation from a Hobbit-inspired special guest,  before settling into the Twizel accommodation.

Day 7: Pelennor Fields

Day seven kicks off with a visit to the Pelennor Fields , the location that’s known for the powerful sound of 250 horses charging after King Theoden made his battle speech. After experiencing this location, we move on to the Lake-town filming location before sitting down for lunch in Omarama. Following lunch, you might like to try your hand at archery before unwinding in your accommodation in Cromwell.

Day 8: Arrowtown, Queenstown

Venturing deeper into Middle-earth, we visit a variety of LOTR filming locations at Mavora Lakes. Purchase a picnic lunch to take along as we explore The calling up of Shadowfax, The Silverlode bridge, The Orc funeral pyre, Fangorn Forest,  Nen Hithoel, The log which concealed Merry & Pippin before Frodo left the fellowship and where Sam and Frodo paddled away on the next stage of their journey. You’ll have a wealth of astonishing scenery to take in here before being transported to Queenstown in the afternoon. Accommodation will remain in Queenstown for the final three nights.

Day 9: Queenstown

Our next destination is in Arrowtown, and along the way, we take a route which follows the direction of a gold mining road, and we continue up the Arrow River. One of the highlights of Arrowtown is the filming location of where the One Ring dropped among the Gladden fields . You might like to try Bungy-jumping (at an extra cost) before heading to the Elements Restaurant for an inclusive farewell dinner.

Day 10: Optional Activities

Day ten is all about you. After enjoying breakfast, you might like to experience some optional Lord of the Rings activities. Ride the Dart river jet which heads past The Hobbiton movie set , or perhaps a helicopter flight over the Ford of Bruinen . You could enjoy a hot air balloon drive, or keep your feet on the ground with a Routeburn Track guided walk. If retail therapy is more appealing, then Queenstown shopping is the perfect treat. Your tour guide will be able to discuss all of the options available, and help with a booking should you wish.

Departure day

Waking up to the final breakfast of the tour will see your Middle-earth journey coming to an end. As you depart from Queenstown, you will require a domestic airfare to return to Auckland, followed by an international flight for your journey home from Auckland.

Locations (13)

1. weta workshop, 2. wellington town belt / get off the road scene, 3. pelorus river / dwarfs barrel ride, 4. jens hansen, the ringmaker, 5. mount sunday / edoras, 6. twizel / pelennor fields, 7. lake pukaki / lake-town, 8. north mavora lake / nen hithoel (breaking of the fellowship), 9. bog pine paddock / fangorn forest, 10. mavora / the burnt orc mound, 11. arrowtown / gladden fields, 12. arrowtown / ford of bruinen, 13. kawarau river / pillars of the kings, reviews (0).

There are no reviews yet.

You must be logged in to post a review.

Related tours

Lord of the Rings 14-Day New Zealand Tour

• Lord of the Rings , Hobbit

Wellington Movie Tour

• Lord of the Rings

Hobbiton Express Tour from Auckland

• 8 - 8½ hours

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Auckland

• 8 - 9 hours

By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy .

Available until 8pm

• Book an appointment

Explore destinations

• Indian Ocean
• South East Asia
• Australasia & Pacific
• Central America
• North America

Tailor-made holidays and safaris full of extraordinary experiences and the same personal service you'd expect from Kuoni.

• South Africa

Visit your local store or make an appointment to get face-to-face advice from our friendly team.

We’re here to tailor-make a beach holiday that’s right for you

All inclusive

Our hand-picked all-inclusive holidays include, boutique, family & wellness resorts.

Romantic honeymoon package you’ll remember for the rest of your lives.

Incredible Family holidays from Kuoni, adventures your family will always remember.

City breaks

Our hand-picked luxury city breaks in Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East and the USA

Romantic retreats and group get-togethers on our adults-only holidays

Safari Holidays

Let us take you on safari in Africa for the best animal viewing on the planet.

LGBTQ+

Romantic retreats or special occasions on our LGBTQ+ holidays

Multi-centre

Combine different destinations, resorts and tours for a dream multi-centre.

Enjoy the best of both worlds: a luxurious and out-of-the-way villa holiday at a resort

Spa & wellness

Handpicked spa & wellness retreats, pampering or activity holidays all tailormade by Kuoni

Create a tailor-made self-drive itinerary for a trip to immerse yourself in outdoor life.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the view during one of our luxurious train journeys

Dubai: Jewel of the Emirates

Attitude hotels collection.

This portfolio of charming retreats in Mauritius is leading the way in with their collection eco-committed hotels, ranging from adult-only retreats to family-friendly havens.

Where to travel in 2024

Which is better: Mauritius or Maldives?

The best things to do in Borneo

The best beaches in Europe

Secrets to planning the ultimate Californian road trip

Turquoise dreams: A guide to the Indian Ocean islands

Offbeat gems: The Caribbean's hidden treasures

What to do in Canada: the ultimate bucket list

Speak to one of our experts now about this offer

Call us on - 0800 092 4444

Or drop into your local Kuoni store to find out more

Call us on - 0800 294 9710

Call us on - 0800 294 9728

This room is on-request and we will seek to confirm it with our travel supplier.

To confirm this booking please call us now on 0800 092 4444

• New Zealand
• South Island
• Fiordland, Invercargill & Stewart Island

  Best of New Zealand Self-Drive  

Hop around New Zealand from top to toe, visiting some of its most famous sights, tasting wine and embarking on mini adventures wherever you roam.

A three-week road trip exploring both North and South Islands.

Your trip kicks off in Auckland, and as you drive through the countryside and city, the best of New Zealand will reveal itself. Working through North Island, then catching the ferry to the dramatically scenic South Island, this itinerary checks off must-see locations and finishes with a memorable railway journey through the mountains aboard the TranzAlpine Express.

Those who love being on the go and hopping from place to place to see as much of a destination as possible.

Recommended itinerary

After a long flight, you’ll be glad to finally check into The Sebel, apartment-style accommodation overlooking the yachts in Viaduct Harbour. It’s an excellent location for getting around the city, and you have a full day here to get to know its highlights, whether you want to peruse Auckland’s art galleries or spend time around its two harbours.

You’ll collect a hire car from Auckland and make the three-hour drive to the Coromandel, a famously scenic area on the North Island comprising lovely towns, beaches with natural springs, and pretty coves for kayaking. You’ll stay in Coromandel Town, a city that boomed in the 1860s gold strike and leaves behind a legacy of its mining history.

A three-hour drive brings you to Rotorua. Plan a break in your journey to visit Hobbiton Village to tour the movie set featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. When you arrive at Rotorua, a classic lodge waits to welcome you. You have a full day to explore Rotorua, a geothermic area known for its fizzing geysers, searing hot springs, and bubbling mud pools. It’s also where you can get to know Maori culture better and spend an evening trying hangi cooked in the ground.

Swap Rotorua’s geothermal wonderland for the art deco charms of Napier. A three-hour drive takes you south to this fascinating town, where an incredible array of beautiful Art Deco buildings make it feel like a movie set. You can decide how to spend your time here: perhaps you’ll visit Hawke’s Bay wineries to try the local Pinot Gris and Syrah, or maybe you’ll take the opportunity to see the incredible gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.

Pick a great playlist for your four-hour drive to Wellington at the southern tip of the North Island. The Martinborough wine region is the perfect place to stop en route (particularly for the non-driver!), and the QT Wellington is a quirky boutique hotel to look forward to at the end of the journey. Time in Wellington is best spent indulging in the city’s gastro scene and riding the Wellington Cable Car for city panoramas. Many consider the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa unmissable, revealing plenty about the area’s environment, Maori culture, and art.

South Island awaits. You’ll take the Interislander Cook Strait Ferry and continue the drive to Blenheim, a town in the pre-eminent Marlborough wine region, for a two-night stay. Enjoy the mountain scenery, pop into excellent wineries to sample the excellent Sauvignon Blanc, and stroll around the pretty town.

Take the coast road to Kaikoura for a memorable overnight stay at Hapuku Lodge. Stay in a treehouse or lodge as part of an accommodation concept that has a clear eco-vision that mirrors its surrounding area. The township of Kaikoura was the first local authority in the world to become a Green Globe-certified community.

Lake Tekapo

You could spend the morning whale watching before embarking on a scenic five-and-a-half-hour journey to Lake Tekapo, perhaps paying a quick visit to Christchurch on the way (although you’ll visit it properly before you depart New Zealand). A milky blue lake and New Zealand’s Southern Alps await as South Island begins to reveal its scenic drama.

A beautiful three-hour drive brings you to Queenstown — New Zealand’s epicentre of outdoor adventures. You’ve got three nights here, enough time to join a Lord of the Rings tour, visit the Central Otago wine region, or soar above the scenery on a gondola. You could also take a day trip to Fiordland National Park.

Glacier Region

Take the scenic route via Haast Pass through the Southern Alps to the west coast and the glacier region — either Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier. You have a full day in the area to take an ice-hiking adventure or visit the ethereal glow worm caves. You may also want to see Lake Matheson, one of the most photographed lakes in New Zealand.

Christchurch

Drive a couple of hours north to Greymouth on the South Island’s west coast. You’ll return your hire car here, then board the TranzAlpine Express to cross to the east coast on a four-and-a-half-hour train journey through the mountains. When you arrive in Christchurch, you’ll check into a hotel for your final two-night stay where you can explore the world-famous botanic gardens before your return journey home.

Sorry, your hotel is no longer available

Please check alternatives

Choose dates

{{store.searchDuration}} nights, {{formattedDate}}

Enter dates to check availability

{{ guestRollup || 'Enter guests' }}

{{ store.selectedAirport.text }}

{{ store.selectedClass.text }}

{{ store.selectedOccasion.text }}

Choose a departure date

{{store.searchDuration}} nights

Enter rooms & guests

• {{airport.text}}
• {{flightClass.text}}
• {{occasion.text}}

Checking prices & availability

{{term}}, {{formattedDate}} for {{searchDuration}} nights

• All ({{destinations.length + products.length + offers.length + inspiration.length}})
• 0" v-on:click="resultsTab=2" class="swiper-slide" :class="{active: resultsTab==2}">Destinations ({{destinations.length}})
• 0" v-on:click="resultsTab=3" class="swiper-slide" :class="{active: resultsTab==3}">Holidays ({{products.length}})
• 0" v-on:click="resultsTab=4" class="swiper-slide" :class="{active: resultsTab==4}">Offers ({{offers.length}})
• 0" v-on:click="resultsTab=5" class="swiper-slide" :class="{active: resultsTab==5}">Inspiration ({{inspiration.length}})

{{offer.savingText}}

{{offer.basedOn}}

{{article.title}}

{{article.description}}

{{availabilityProduct.length}} holidays in {{term}}

You may also like...

Talk to an expert today

Your dream holiday is just a phone call away

Mon to Sat: 10am - 5pm

Sunday: Closed

Visit your local Kuoni store

In-person, virtual or phone

Get face-to-face advice from our friendly team

Email enquiry

Tell us what you’re planning and let our experts help you with your holiday

Your travel plans

Tell us who is going with you, what airport you'd like to fly from and any other details we may find useful, such as if it's a special occasion.

Your details

We may need to call you to talk about your holiday plans. If we need to get in touch, when is the best time to give you a call about your holiday?

Kuoni will be sharing travel inspiration, offers and exclusive event invites with you. We take your privacy very seriously and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please read our Privacy Policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Your appointment

We're transferring you to our tailor-made specialists

From the multi-award-winning Kuoni

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Newsletters
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

7 Details We Learned Visiting THE RINGS OF POWER Season 2 Set

Making a high fantasy series means designing and constructing otherworldly sets, carefully shaping a set to become, for example, the throne room of Númenor. It also means outfitting hundreds of orcs with prosthetics and maintaining an ear library. Many of those orcs were resting around the edges of a battle scene when Nerdist and a small group of reporters visited the set of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power in 2023. The series was filming at Buttersteep Rise in Windsor Great Park, and we planted our wellies-covered feet carefully through thick mud and around performers pulling their orc prosthetics out of the way to drink smoothies through straws.

Even orcs like a smoothie.

In our day on set, we spoke with The Rings of Power showrunners , some of the cast, production design, the prosthetics department, props, and more. Here are seven details we learned about The Rings of Power season two.

1. Filming in the UK

Season one of The Rings of Power filmed in New Zealand, but the series moved to the United Kingdom for season two. Executive producer Lindsey Weber noted the decision came from Amazon, because they wanted to centralize their hub in the UK. But, she noted, it’s one of the best places to shoot. She said, “There’s a wonderful crew, actor, and filmmaking base. It does feel like there are new pools of talent here that we hadn’t used in season one. And certainly, we’re in all these locations that Tolkien wrote about.”

Supervising art director Martin Foley joked that when they first showed the showrunners Windsor Great Park and its 900-year-old trees, JD Payne and Patrick McKay literally hugged the trees.

2. Speaking of New Zealand …

The show did have a lot built for season one in New Zealand, and the production team had a lot of things shipped over—as in 70 containers full of items for not only the art department. Production designer Kristian Milsted said, it wasn’t so much full sets as smaller pieces like doors, windows, and detailed panels. Foley said, “Things took a long time to make and were expensive, and they were packed up carefully. We got these lovely notes. You’d open the containers, and they’d be like, ‘Please look after this. It took me months.’ It was quite sweet considering how abruptly that ended. You weren’t sure what you’re going to get, and then in terms of their messages, but they’re all really positive and really nice.”

3. The Voice of Sauron

Leith McPherson is The Ring of Power ‘s supervising dialect coach; she worked on dialect for The Hobbit trilogy, too. She had the challenge of working with Charlie Vickers to turn his Halbrand accent into something different for season two.

McPherson said, “When I work for the actors, I work in the accent that the actors are working in. So Halbrand, it’s that northern kind of quality. He [Charlie Vickers] and I spoke like that for 18 months together and then it was, ‘Okay. So now you’re a different character kind of. Are you? I don’t know.’ Then we were speaking to each other in a new accent. Because this is an evolving, changing character where you are always thinking about the communication that that character is trying to have with others—what impression is he trying to make and what is he trying to achieve? So we talk about that vocally. How that manifests is an interesting thing.”

4. The Rings in The Rings of Power

Season two brings more rings to Middle-earth. Celebrimbor forged the three Elven rings at the end of season one, and set decorator Tina Jones and her team remade those Elven rings for season two. To come up with the designs for the new rings, the team went to different museums, including the British Museum to gather research and take photos. They also referenced design concepts from John Howe, a Tolkien artist. The camera would pick up any small imperfection in a manmade stone, so they used real stones for macro shots.

5. Orcs Everywhere

Season two has 1,500 actors in orc makeup. The prosthetics are a four-part application process including a cowl, a forehead, a chin, and a face. These can be mixed and matched to create unique looks. It takes two people two and a half hours to apply each set of prosthetics, and no, I am not doing that math. When we stopped by the prosthetics department to talk with Sarah Gower, she and her team were working on outfitting the second wave of orcs for the day.

6. Action and Stunts

If I could pick a theme for season two just from visiting the set, it’s more. More locations, more orcs, and more action. More everything. Supervising stunt coordinator Ben Cooke told us Galadriel and Elrond both see a lot more action, specifically on horseback. Cooke and his team worked for eight months on season two stunts that include wirework, high falls, and fires. Rehearsals started three to four months before filming. Part of Cooke’s work includes choreographing different action to match the styles of the Elves, orcs, Dwarves, etc.

7. Dwarven Beards

Hair and makeup designer Flora Moody walked us through a number of wigs. As she so aptly put it, “There’s a lot of hair.” Indeed when you think about the number of flowing locks in The Rings of Power , you realize how much effort it must take to maintain so many wigs. There are hero wigs, scale wigs, stunt double wigs, and sometimes picture double wigs. It adds up to, as Moody says, “an organizational feat.”

The wigs are all made from human hair when possible, but Dwarven beards, those are yak hair. The department uses two different types of yak hair. Tail of yak makes for a coarser hair. For a softer beard, it’s yak belly hair.

The makeup and hair department can make subtle changes that speak to character growth. For example, they gave Trystan Gravelle’s Pharazôn a 300-style beard to speak to his character becoming a bit more powerful.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season two premieres on Prime Video on August 29.

Recommended Stories

Shohei ohtani is 'fine' after x-rays following hit-by-pitch reveal no structural damage.

"It's really scary," manager Dave Roberts said. "You always hold your breath."

Little League World Series: Florida wins extra-innings championship thriller over Taiwan on chaotic walk-off bunt

The championship is the first for a team from Florida in nine trips to the LLWS final.

How to install windshield wipers

If your windshield wipers begin to deteriorate over time, you can replace them yourself. Here is our detailed guide on how to install wiper blades yourself.

White Sox reach 100 losses for 6th time in franchise history: How many more will they lose?

For the first time in franchise history, the White Sox have lost at least 100 games in back-to-back seasons.

Y Combinator backs its first defense startup, Ares Industries

The first defense startup to receive backing from Y Combinator, Ares Industries, launched earlier this week. In a post on the YC website, the startup outlined a vision to build low-cost cruise missiles that will be compatible with existing launch platforms, saying it will “deliver the capabilities that the [Department of Defense] wants in a form factor that’s 10x smaller and 10x cheaper.” Ares Industries's founders say they've tested prototypes in the Mojave Desert and plan to deliver working missile systems to their first customers in mid-2025.

Make your loose rings fit with these invisible sizers — down to $9 for an 8-pack

Save your baubles from sliding off — and save your wallet by skipping a trip to a pricey jeweler.

Floss before brushing, eat prunes and 7 more tips to upgrade your health this week

Read these wellness tips to live your healthiest, happiest life this week.

Scoop up these 'cloud-like' cooling pillows while they're 70% off ($32 a pair)

Sleep hot? These wildly popular head helpers are moisture-wicking to help keep those night sweats at bay.

This 'throw on and go’ tunic is a breezy, all-season staple — and it's down to $20

Soft and flowy, this top drapes just right and comes in plenty of fun colors and patterns.

These genius silicone food savers are 'better than plastic wrap' for keeping your leftovers fresh

Their space-saving design 'hugs' the cut sides of produce, open cans and jars to create a tight seal.

The path to 200 houses of the Lord: Nos. 21-40

With the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints to dedicate its 200th operating temple later this year, here’s a weekly look — 20 at a time — of the houses of the lord worldwide.

By Scott Taylor , Joel Randall

Editor’s note: The Church News is highlighting the first 200 operating houses of the Lord of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with a weekly compilation of 20 temples in chronological order over a 10-week period.

While The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints needed a little more than a century to dedicate its first 20 of its operating temples — from 1877 and the St. George Utah Temple to 1981 and the Jordan River Utah Temple — the Church’s next 20 came in a little more than three years.

Of particular note were the Church’s first house of the Lord in a Communist country and behind the old Iron Curtain (the Freiberg Germany Temple ) and the first on the African continent ( Johannesburg South Africa Temple ).

All but two of the 20 operating temples numbered from No. 21 to No. 40 were the first houses of the Lord in their U.S. state or their nation. The two outliers were the Boise Idaho Temple and the Chicago Illinois Temple , after the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple and the original Nauvoo Temple, which had been abandoned and destroyed after persecuted Saints left for the Salt Lake Valley.

By the end of 2024, the total operating temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will go from that first 20 temples dedicated between 1877 and 1981 to more than 200 — with Nos. 181 to 200 being dedicated in a span of just 12 months. With The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to dedicate its 200th operating temple later this year, here’s the second of a weekly look — 20 at a time — of the houses of the Lord worldwide.

21. Atlanta Georgia

Dedicated: June 1, 1983, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The house of the Lord was the Church’s first in the southeastern United States and second east of the Mississippi River. … It was the first temple dedicated or rededicated by President Hinckley.

Announced: April 2, 1980, by the First Presidency — Presidents Spencer W. Kimball , N. Eldon Tanner and Marion G. Romney — at a news conference in the Temple Square North Visitors’ Center in Salt Lake City.

Groundbreaking: March 7, 1981, presided over by President Kimball.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Father, we pray that Thou wilt bless all who serve in this, Thy sacred house, whatever the ordinance may be. Watch over them, guide them, increase their faith, strengthen their testimonies and bless them to work with unselfishness in behalf of those who have gone beyond the veil of death.”

Rededicated: The renovated and enlarged baptistry on Nov. 14, 1997, by President Hinckley, then Church president; the entire renovated temple on May 1, 2011, by President Thomas S. Monson , Church president.

Three more notes: At the time of its 1983 dedication, the temple served Latter-day Saints residing in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. By its 2011 rededication, the Church had 11 additional temples in those states, and by mid-2024, a total of 15 temples operating, under construction or announced. … At the time of its 2011 rededication, an estimated 2.5 million people had attended the Atlanta temple since its dedication in 1983. … The temple’s renovations after a quarter-century of use included the raising by six feet of the ceiling in the celestial room to add windows and introduce natural light as well as additional windows being cut into external walls for the same purpose.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Atlanta Georgia Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Atlanta Georgia Temple | Church News Almanac
• Atlanta Georgia Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘A reminder of sacred and eternal covenants made with Thee’
• Comfort and reassurance felt as Atlanta Georgia Temple is rededicated by President Monson

22. Apia Samoa

Dedicated: Aug. 5, 1983, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first temple in Samoa and the third in the Pacific, following the Laie Hawaii and Hamilton New Zealand temples. … On July 9, 2003, a fire consumed the temple while it was closed for renovations; a reconstructed and relocated temple was completed two years later.

Announced: Oct. 15, 1977, by the First Presidency — Presidents Spencer W. Kimball , N. Eldon Tanner and Marion G. Romney ; revised plans and a relocation were announced by the First Presidency in an April 2, 1980, news conference.

Groundbreaking: Feb. 19, 1981, presided over by President Kimball.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We are grateful for these beautiful islands of Samoa, and for Thy faithful Saints who dwell here. Jacob, son of Lehi, declared anciently: ‘Great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the isles of the sea.’ We have witnessed the fulfillment of Thy covenant, for Thou hast not forgotten them.”

Rededicated: Sept. 4, 2005, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , Church president.

Three more notes: In 1977, a temple was originally announced for Pago Pago, American Samoa, a central location to serve Latter-day Saints in the South Pacific islands; however, the First Presidency’s April 2, 1980, announcement to build seven temples in as many nations included temples in Tahiti and Tonga and a move of the temple from a site in Pago Pago on the U.S. territory island to Apia, Samoa. … With no tall cranes on the islands, workers had to use ropes and pulleys to lift the Angel Moroni statue into place during the temple’s construction, with men carrying the 600-pound statue to the pulley. The statue survived undamaged by the 2003 fire that destroyed the under-renovation temple and, after being stored, was later placed atop the reconstructed temple. … President Hinckley both dedicated and rededicated the Apia Samoa Temple — first as a counselor in the First Presidency and later as Church president.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Apia Samoa Temple

• Apia Samoa Temple | Church News Almanac
• Apia Samoa Temple dedicatory and rededicatory prayers and additional information on Samoa’s house of the Lord
• Fire destroys Apia Samoa Temple

23. Nuku‘alofa Tonga

Dedicated: Aug. 9, 1983, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in Tonga. … During an open-house tour of the temple, Halaevalu Mataʻaho ʻAhomeʻe , queen of Tonga, told her tour guide, “I want you to know that I have a feeling of peace here.”

Groundbreaking: Feb. 18, 1981, presided over by President Kimball.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We are thankful that Thou hast touched the hearts of many by the power of Thy Spirit, that they have accepted the truth and have walked in faithfulness. We thank Thee for all of Thy faithful Saints in these beautiful islands and invoke Thy blessings upon them, that they may be blessed with love and peace in their homes, that their lands shall be productive, that they shall be prospered in their righteous undertakings, that they shall be protected from the storms of nature and from the conflicts of men if they will walk in obedience to Thy commandments.”

Rededicated: Nov. 4, 2007, by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Three more notes: President Kimball presided at the groundbreakings for the Nuku’alofa temple as well as the Papeete Tahiti and Apia Samoa temples all in the same week; the three temples had been announced on the same day less than a year before. … George Tupou V, Tonga’s king, addressed a gathering of 200 dignitaries before the open house, where he said , “We are gathered here today to celebrate the completion of this magnificent temple which is a tribute to the glory of God.” … Some Church members who attended the temple dedication traveled upward of two days from the 150 islands of the Kingdom of Tonga to reach the temple on Tongatapu, the country’s main island. Many of these attendees stayed on Tongatapu throughout the seven dedicatory sessions until Aug. 11, when they could begin performing sacred ordinances in their country’s first house of the Lord.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple

• Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple | Church News Almanac
• Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple dedicatory and rededicatory prayers

24. Santiago Chile

Dedicated: Sept. 15, 1983, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The Church’s first temple in Chile and the second in South America. … It became the first house of the Lord in a Spanish-speaking country.

Groundbreaking: May 30, 1981, presided over by President Kimball.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We dedicate unto Thee, our Father and our God, and unto Thy Beloved Son, our Savior and Redeemer, this the Santiago Chile Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We dedicate the ground on which it stands, the vegetation that beautifies it, the building in every part and all of its facilities and equipment, as a temple of God, a house of holiness to which Thee and Thy Son may come as to Thine own abode. May Thy Spirit abide here always, and may all who enter feel of that Spirit.”

Rededicated: March 12, 2006, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , Church president.

Three more notes: Despite the prevailing poverty at the time, the Chilean Saints not only donated the amount of money they were expected but exceeded their donations. Members sold everything they could — from gold rings to gold fillings in teeth — to show their gratitude for a house of the Lord being built in the country. … The 6,000 members who attended the groundbreaking waited for three hours in a cold rain, not one of whom accepted the offer of cutting the remarks short, for they didn’t want to miss any time with the Prophet. … From the announcement of the temple to the dedication, members in the temple district prepared 85,000 names to be taken to the temple from four-generation pedigree charts and 125,000 names from Chilean records. And the number of Melchizedek Priesthood holders in Chile tripled — from 3,000 to nearly 9,000 — in the two years before the temple’s open house and dedication.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Santiago Chile Temple

• Santiago Chile Temple | Church News Almanac
• Santiago Chile Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘The ordinances to be performed herein will bless Thy sons and daughters forever’

25. Papeete Tahiti

Dedicated: Oct. 27, 1983, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in French Polynesia. … The 2006 rededication of the renovated and expanded temple was broadcast to the BYU–Hawaii campus in Laie, Hawaii, as well as to New Caledonia and Salt Lake City.

Groundbreaking: Feb. 13, 1981, presided over by President Kimball.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Thy servants have labored among the Tahitian people and found those who have been touched by the Spirit and who have come into the fold of the Church. There is now strength and maturity among the many thousands of the Saints of French Polynesia, for which we express gratitude unto Thee. As a capstone to all of this effort, we now have this beautiful and sacred house to present unto Thee.”

Rededicated: Nov. 12, 2006, by Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Three more notes: Before the Papeete Tahiti Temple was constructed, Church members in Tahiti would travel annually to New Zealand to perform sacred ordinances in a house of the Lord, costing a family of two parents and three children around $5,000 at the time. Even though the average monthly wage in Tahiti then was around $600 a month, 40 to 80 Tahitian Latter-day Saints would make the trip each year. … During the temple rededication open house, government opposition leaders in Tahiti declared a strike and established roadblocks that prevented traffic from entering and leaving Papeete, worrying temple open house volunteers that visitors would find it hard to attend the event. However, the road closures instead brought many to visit the temple who otherwise would not have, bringing more than 4,000 visitors in the first three days of the open house. … The renovation of the Papeete temple included a 2,000-square-foot expansion.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Papeete Tahiti Temple

• Papeete Tahiti Temple | Church News Almanac
• Papeete Tahiti Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Our hearts are filled with gratitude as we are assembled together in this sacred house on this day of dedication’
• Here’s the miraculous history of the Tahiti temple that President Hinckley dedicated 35 years ago

26. Mexico City Mexico

Dedicated: Dec. 2, 1983, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: First house of the Lord in Mexico. … By the time it was renovated and rededicated a second time in 2015, 11 other temples had been dedicated in Mexico. Today, Mexico is home to 25 temples, including 14 operating and 11 under construction or in planning.

Announced: April 3, 1976, by President Spencer W. Kimball , Church president.

Groundbreaking: Nov. 25, 1979, by Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May this temple be holy to all who enter it. May they do so with cleanliness and with purity of heart. May none ever defile it, and may all who look upon it see it as a place of holiness and as the expression of a thankful people to their Creator and to their Redeemer.”

Rededicated: Nov. 16, 2008, by President Thomas S. Monson , Church president; and Sept. 13, 2015, by President Henry B. Eyring , first counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: Before the dedication, Latter-day Saints had to travel to the Mesa Arizona Temple , around 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) from Mexico City. … At the temple’s 1983 dedication, President Hinckley testified that souls from the other side of the veil were present, including the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi. … With its Mayan-inspired exterior, the Mexico City temple is located near the city’s Bosque de Aragón park, with the temple grounds — called by locals as “Manzana del Templo” (Temple Square) — also featuring an adjacent, large visitors’ center, stake center, distribution center and Mexico Area administrative offices. The Mexico Missionary Training Center — once located adjacent to the temple — was relocated to the Church’s former Benemérito de las Americas school property, with a future temple now announced for that expansive site.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Mexico City Mexico Temple

• Mexico City Mexico Temple | Church News Almanac
• Mexico City Mexico Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Prosper us as we walk in obedience to Thy commandments’
• The most memorable part of the Mexico City temple dedication was these words from President Hinckley
• A look at Mexico’s long, rich heritage of temple faithfulness

27. Boise Idaho

Dedicated: May 25, 1984, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The second house of the Lord in Idaho. … The temple was rededicated just three years later, with remodeling and renovations to the baptistry, a large sealing room, a chapel, additional offices and a nursery.

Announced: March 31, 1982, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , a counselor in the First Presidency, representing the First Presidency in a news conference.

Groundbreaking: Dec. 18, 1982, presided over by Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May it be a place of holiness to all who come here. May no profane act occur herein. May no unhallowed word be spoken. May Thy faithful Saints of this and future generations look to this beautiful structure as a house to which they will be made welcome for their washings and anointings, for endowments and sealings, for instruction, for meditation, for worship, for the making of eternal covenants with Thee, for inspiration and sanctification, as they serve unselfishly in assisting Thee in bringing to pass Thine eternal purposes for the salvation and exaltation of Thy sons and daughters.”

Rededicated: Feb. 14, 1987, by President James E. Faust of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and Nov. 18, 2012, by President Thomas S. Monson , Church president.

Three more notes: Many visitors to the Boise community attended the open-house tours in 1984, including state and religious leaders. A total of 264 ministers of other faiths and their spouses attended the temple open house. … President Ezra Taft Benson — then president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and who had lived earlier in the Boise area — spoke of his experience at the dedication of the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple . President Heber J. Grant , who had announced the Idaho Falls temple as president of the Church — had said that as Latter-day Saints brought others to the gospel, a temple would be built in the Boise Valley. … In the temple’s 2012 renovation, windows were replaced, and the old windows were crushed and transformed into art glass found throughout the temple.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Boise Idaho Temple

• Boise Idaho Temple | Church News Almanac
• Boise Idaho Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Look with favor upon all who walk honestly with Thee in the payment of their tithes and offerings’
• Boise Idaho Temple: A priceless treasure

28. Sydney Australia

Dedicated: Sept. 20, 1984, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in Australia. … It was one of seven temples announced on April 2, 1980 (along with the Buenos Aires, Santiago Chile, Apia Samoa, Papeete Tahiti, Nuku’alofa Tonga and Atlanta Georgia temples), which was at that time the most announced in one setting.

Groundbreaking: Aug. 13, 1982, presided over by Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Father, wilt Thou accept this temple as the gift of Thy thankful sons and daughters. Wilt Thou and Thy Son be pleased to visit it, and may Thy Holy Spirit be found here always. May it be used with reverence and love by Thy covenant children in accomplishing the sacred work for which it has been constructed. May it be as a beacon to Thy Saints throughout the land. May it be as an anchor when the storms of life beat about them. May it be a place of holiness to which they may come, a house of sanctification, a house of prayer, a house of covenants.”

Three more notes: The Sept. 6, 1984, start date for the Sydney temple open house fell on the same week as open houses for two other temples — the Manila Philippines Temple on Sept. 4 and the Dallas Texas Temple on Sept. 8. It marked the first time in Church history that three temples opened for public viewing in the same week. … The Sydney Australia Temple was dedicated within a week of the Manila Philippines Temple , which was the second time two temples had been dedicated within a week of each other. The first time was a year earlier, when the Apia Samoa Temple and the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple were dedicated on Aug. 5 and Aug. 9, respectively, of 1983. … The temple grounds — 3.06 acres in the Sydney suburb of Carlingford — was once the site of a boys home.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Sydney Australia Temple

• Sydney Australia Temple | Church News Almanac
• Sydney Australia Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘May the people of Thy Church be recognized as men and women of integrity, of industry and of faith’

29. Manila Philippines

Dedicated: Sept. 25, 1984, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in the Philippines. … The Manila temple was dedicated just five days after the Sydney Australia Temple.

Announced: April 1, 1981, by President Spencer W. Kimball , Church president.

Groundbreaking: Aug. 25, 1982, by President Hinckley, a counselor in the First Presidency.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We thank Thee for this beautiful edifice and for all who have worked to make it possible. May it stand as a pillar of truth and as an invitation to all who look upon it to learn of the purposes for which it has been created.”

Three more notes: In 1989, rebel forces attempting to overthrow the government occupied the temple grounds and exchanged gunfire with loyal government troops. Church leaders learned government forces planned a massive attack on the rebels at 11 p.m. on Dec. 3, with great damage to temple facilities expected. … The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gathered in Salt Lake City to plead with the Lord to protect His house, with the prayer continuing into what would have been 11 p.m. in the Philippines. No attack occurred, with the military commander deciding against a night assault and the rebels slowly leaving the temple grounds during the night. … During the two-week open house, more than 4,000 visitors bought copies of the Book of Mormon.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Manila Philippines Temple

• Manila Philippines Temple | Church News Almanac
• Manila Philippines Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘We thank Thee for their spirit of sacrifice’
• The miraculous protection of the Manila Philippines Temple and the nature of miracles

30. Dallas Texas

Dedicated: Oct. 19, 1984, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in Texas. … A prominent minister who toured the Dallas temple’s open house later delivered a sermon correcting popular misinformation about the Church.

Groundbreaking: Jan. 22, 1983, presided over by President Hinckley.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May this beautiful temple, standing in this community, become a declaration to all who shall look upon it, of the faith of Thy Saints in the revealed things of eternity, and may they be led to respect that which is sacred unto us, Thy people.”

Rededicated: March 5, 1989, by President Hinckley, then first counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: As with other temples built and dedicated in the 1980s, the Dallas temple needed an expansion only several years after its dedication. The renovations included relocating and enlarging the baptistry and adding a new instruction room, sealing room and other facilities. The temple went from 17,850 square feet to 44,207 square feet. … In an April 1, 1981, news conference, President Kimball announced Dallas and eight other cities as locations for new houses of the Lord, making the announcement the largest number of temples announced at once up to that date. … After the Dallas temple was dedicated, its district included Texas and Oklahoma, as well as parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and Missouri.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Dallas Texas Temple

• Dallas Texas Temple | Church News Almanac
• Dallas Texas Temple: We are grateful for Thy priceless blessings

31. Taipei Taiwan

Dedicated: Nov. 17, 1984, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in Taiwan. … The temple site was once home to a prison and in 1960 was selected as the location for a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse — with then-Elder Hinckley, an assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Announced: March 31, 1982, by President Hinckley, a counselor in the First Presidency, representing the First Presidency in a news conference.

Groundbreaking: Aug. 26, 1982, presided over by President Hinckley.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “There have been many ... who have served faithfully and diligently as messengers of Thine eternal truth, speaking to their own people in their own tongue. Thousands have responded to their teachings. We thank Thee for the firm foundation on which Thy Church is now established in this part of the earth. We thank Thee for this day when those who will use this temple may turn their hearts to their fathers, participating in this, Thy holy house in those ordinances which will make it possible for their deceased forebears to move forward on the way that leads to eternal life.”

Three more notes: The temple location was announced with three others — Guayaquil, Ecuador ; Denver, Colorado ; and Boise, Idaho . … The 9,945-square-foot house of the Lord sits on 0.48 acres of land in Taipei. … The temple was the third Latter-day Saint house of the Lord in Asia; the earlier were in Tokyo, Japan ; and Manila, Philippines .

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Taipei Taiwan Temple

• Taipei Taiwan Temple | Church News Almanac
• Taipei Taiwan Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘May peace and prosperity reign in the land’

32. Guatemala City Guatemala

Dedicated: Dec. 14, 1984, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in Guatemala. … Some 20 years before the temple’s 1981 announcement and 1982 groundbreaking, the land where the Guatemala City temple now stands was purchased by a mission president as a possible future temple site.

Groundbreaking: Sept. 12, 1982, presided over by Elder Richard G. Scott , then a General Authority Seventy.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Please accept this house as the gift of Thy children. We have built it according to Thy will, that Thou, our Father, and Thy Son, our resurrected Lord, might have a place to manifest Thyself to Thy people. We consecrate it with love. Let Thy mighty blessings rest upon it and Thy Holy Spirit sanctify it.”

Three more notes: In an April 1, 1981, news conference, President Kimball announced new houses of the Lord for Guatemala City and eight other cities as locations; at the time, it was the most new temples announced at one time. … Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was originally assigned to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony of the temple, but his flight to Guatemala was delayed due to a mechanical malfunction with the plane. … Among the 9,100 Latter-day Saints attending the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple dedication were 75 members of the Kekchi indigenous people, natives of Guatemala. The Church members traveled by foot, paddle boat and bus for two days to reach the temple dedication.

Read more on the Church News almanac page : Guatemala City Guatemala Temple

• Guatemala City Guatemala Temple | Church News Almanac
• Guatemala City Guatemala Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Now the yearnings of our hearts for the higher blessings of the gospel may be realized’

33. Freiberg Germany

Dedicated: June 29, 1985, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord to be dedicated in a Communist-ruled country, the German Democratic Republic — just four years before the fall of the Berlin Wall. … The dedication preceded the Frankfurt Germany Temple by two years.

Announced: Oct. 9, 1982, by the First Presidency — Presidents Spencer W. Kimball , N. Eldon Tanner and Marion G. Romney .

Groundbreaking: April 23, 1983, presided over by Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with East Germany government officials invited to attend the ceremony.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Thou knowest we have long prayed that we might have a temple in our midst. Thou knowest that we love Thee and that we love the ordinances and blessings of Thy house. We thank Thee that we are able to worship Thee in spirit and in truth. We thank Thee that we may now come to this sanctuary and feel of the hallowed influence here to be found.”

Rededicated: Sept. 7, 2002, by President Hinckley, Church president; and Sept. 4, 2016, by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: East German leaders would not allow citizens of East Germany to travel outside the country, including Latter-day Saints to attend temples in Switzerland or England; as a result, the government suggested to Church leaders that a temple be built. … Renovations nearly doubled the temple’s size to 13,500 square feet prior to a 2002 rededication, since the temple was originally built without traditional features for a house of the Lord — a nonpatrons’ waiting room, a bride’s room and a baptismal font base of 12 oxen statues. … President Uchtdorf, who rededicated the Freiberg temple the second time in 2016, had lived in the area the temple was built in from age 4 until 11 and had also been baptized not far from the eventual temple site.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Freiberg Germany Temple

• Freiberg Germany Temple | Church News Almanac
• Freiberg Germany Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Our hearts are touched by the bond of fellowship we feel one with another’
• Freiberg temple set stage for gospel to flourish in Eastern Europe

34. Stockholm Sweden

Dedicated: July 2, 1985, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in Sweden and all of Scandinavia. … Its original temple district included Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.

Groundbreaking: March 17, 1984, presided over by Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May the dedication of this temple usher in a new era for Thy work in all of Scandinavia and Finland. Bless the missionaries and lead them to those whose hearts are inclined unto the truth.”

Three more notes: King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited the Stockholm temple grounds on Aug. 25, 1995, during their “Eriksgata” tradition, where the king and queen travel through the country and meet its citizens. President Thomas S. Monson , second counselor in the First Presidency, accompanied the royal pair alongside other Church leaders. … Some 47,000 visitors toured the Stockholm temple during its open house, more than doubling expectations. The Church received more than 1,200 referral cards from people interested in learning more about the house of the Lord and temple work, and the Swedish postal service even issued a special commemorative stamp cancellation featuring the Angel Moroni statue. … The Stockholm temple is currently under renovation, closed since March 2023.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Stockholm Sweden Temple

• Stockholm Sweden Temple | Church News Almanac
• Stockholm Sweden Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘We have waited long and hoped and prayed for this blessing’
• Royal couple visits at Swedish temple with President Monson

35. Chicago Illinois

Dedicated: Aug. 9, 1985, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in the state of Illinois since the Nauvoo Temple, which was burned after the Saints were forced to flee the city in the late 1840s. … The Chicago temple is about 210 miles northeast of Nauvoo.

Groundbreaking: Aug. 13, 1983, presided over by President Hinckley.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Almighty God, wilt Thou hallow it and sanctify it. May Thy presence be felt here, and may Thy Holy Spirit abide constantly within its walls. May all who enter feel of that Spirit and know that they are in holy precincts. May it be a place of refuge from the cares of the world, a house of peace and love. May its rooms and halls be hallowed to those who shall walk here. May faith increase in the hearts of all who come, and may knowledge of Thine eternal plan grow in the minds of those who here serve, be they workers or patrons.”

Addition dedication: Oct. 8, 1989, by President Hinckley, then first counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: The temple was closed for expansions only a little over three years after the dedication due to the unexpectedly high number of patrons. The expansion included adding a fifth instruction room, a significantly larger sealing room, a maintenance facility and increased office space and laundry facilities. … The renovations added 17,000 square feet, making the house of the Lord 34,000 square feet. However, the majority of the original temple was untouched by construction and was not rededicated, with a second dedication done for the new and enlarged areas. … About 600 people — including some 40 presidents of the stakes within the temple district, mission presidents and regional representatives — attended the dedication of the temple expansion.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Chicago Illinois Temple

• Chicago Illinois Temple | Church News Almanac
• Chicago Illinois Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘We thank Thee for a new and better day’
• Addition doubles size of the Chicago temple

36. Johannesburg South Africa

Dedicated: Aug. 24, 1985, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in South Africa and on the entire African continent. … At the time of its dedication, the Johannesburg temple was the farthest house of the Lord not only from Church headquarters in Salt Lake City but also from any other operating temple.

Groundbreaking: Nov. 27, 1982, presided over by Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Wilt Thou whisper peace to Thy people by the power of Thy Spirit when they come here with burdened hearts to seek direction in their perplexities. Wilt Thou comfort and sustain them when they come in times of sorrow. Wilt Thou give them courage, direction and faith when they gather, as to a refuge, from the turmoil of the world.”

Three more notes: Thanks to the General Temple Patron Assistance Fund , many of the 130,000 members living in more than a dozen nations in 1985 then served by the house of the Lord in South Africa would make the journey to make sacred covenants and be sealed as families. … At the 1982 groundbreaking ceremony, Elder Ashton reminded that President Kimball had prophesied of a temple being in built in South Africa when he offered a prayer on the country while visiting in 1973. … At the time of dedicatory events, the southern Africa nation was embroiled in civil strife, but in the Johannesburg temple, there was peace and unity . The first on the continent of Africa, it came just seven years after the 1978 revelation allowing all worthy male Latter-day Saints, regardless of race, to exercise the priesthood. For many South Africans, the revelation opened doors to long-awaited temple covenants and sealings.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Johannesburg South Africa Temple

• Johannesburg South Africa Temple | Church News Almanac
• Johannesburg South Africa Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Our hearts are filled with gratitude on this historic day’

37. Seoul Korea

Dedicated: Dec. 14, 1985, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , first counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in South Korea. … When the temple was announced in 1981, only 100 of the 20,000 Latter-day Saints in Korea had received their endowments, and only 20 couples had been sealed.

Groundbreaking: May 9, 1983, presided over by Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Our hearts are filled with gratitude for this long-awaited day. This is the first such house of the Lord ever constructed on the mainland of Asia, this vast continent where dwell more than a billion of Thy sons and daughters, and where through the generations of the past have lived unnumbered hosts whose lives have not been touched by the saving principles of the gospel.”

Three more notes: The Seoul temple was the first house of the Lord to be built on Asia’s mainland; the three preceding Asia temples — in Tokyo, Japan ; Taipei, Taiwan ; and Manila, Philippines — were built in island nations. … At the temple dedication, President Hinckley reminded those in attendance of a promise by late President Kimball — who died the month before the dedication — made to them during an area conference in Seoul on Oct. 21, 1980: “‘If you will live the gospel, if you will be obedient to the commandments of God, if you will pay your tithes and offerings with honesty, you will be blessed of the Lord,’” President Hinckley quoted. … When the Seoul temple was built, it garnered more attention and interest than usual from area residents. And during the open house in early December 1985, the temple drew a steady flow of visitors despite the month’s freezing temperatures.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Seoul Korea Temple

• Seoul Korea Temple | Church News Almanac
• Seoul Korea Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Our hearts are filled with gratitude for this long-awaited day’
• Gerry Avant: Recalling Koreans’ tears during 1981 general conference

38. Lima Peru

Dedicated: Jan. 10, 1986, by President Gordon B. Hinckley , first counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in Peru and the third in South America. … When dedicated, the temple district included 119,000 Saints in Peru and 45,000 in Bolivia.

Groundbreaking: Sept. 11, 1982, presided over by Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We are particularly mindful this day of the sons and daughters of Lehi. ... Surely father Lehi has wept with sorrow over his posterity. Surely he weeps today with gladness, for in this holy house there will be exercised the fullness of the priesthood to the blessing, not only of those of this and future generations, but also to the blessing of those of previous generations.”

Three more notes: When Peruvian Latter-day Saints received news in 1981 that a house of the Lord would be built in their country, they gladly sacrificed whatever it took to contribute. Some gave personal possessions, and others sold their furniture or appliances. Some members gave their gold wedding bands, and others even had gold fillings pried from their teeth and replaced with a less-costly substance. … Attendance at the temple tripled in its first two years of operation; the number of endowment sessions on weekdays increased from three to 11. … With the January 2024 dedication of the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple , Lima is the first city outside of the United States to have two dedicated and operating houses of the Lord.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Lima Peru Temple

• Lima Peru Temple | Church News Almanac
• Lima Peru Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘We thank Thee for this glorious day in the history of Thy work’

39. Buenos Aires Argentina

Dedicated: Jan. 17, 1986, by President Thomas S. Monson , second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in Argentina. … When the Buenos Aires temple was dedicated, its temple district comprised 40 stakes in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, where 162,500 Latter-day Saints resided.

Groundbreaking: April 20, 1983, presided over by Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We are grateful for this long-awaited time when Thy house has been completed. The sacrifice of the Saints through the years of patient waiting and constant striving has helped bring to fulfillment this glorious day of dedication. Let peace prevail as we lift our voices in songs of praise and words of prayer for Thy beneficent blessings unto us.”

Rededicated: Sept. 9, 2012, by President Henry B. Eyring , first counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: The Buenos Aires temple was the first house of the Lord dedicated by President Monson, then a First Presidency counselor; the dedication came just a week after President Gordon B. Hinckley , the other First Presidency counselor, had dedicated the Lima Peru Temple. … Elder Angel Abrea , called as the first president of the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple , had been the first stake president in Argentina and, with his call a General Authority Seventy in 1981, the Church’s first general authority from Latin America. … The temple was rededicated in 2012 after extensive renovations included an expansion of area from 17,687 square feet to 28,299 square feet.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Buenos Aires Argentina Temple

• Buenos Aires Argentina Temple | Church News Almanac
• Buenos Aires Argentina Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Let peace prevail’
• Buenos Aires Argentina Temple rededicatory prayer: ‘We dedicate our lives’

40. Denver Colorado

Dedicated: Oct. 24, 1986, by President Ezra Taft Benson , Church president.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in Colorado. … For the first time in nearly five years and more than 20 temple dedications, the entire First Presidency attended and participated in the Denver temple dedication.

Groundbreaking: May 19, 1984, presided over by President Hinckley, then second counselor in the First Presidency.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Touch the hearts of Thy people that they may look to this temple as a refuge from the evil and turmoil of the world. May they ever live worthy of the blessings here to be found. May they be prompted to seek the records of their forebears and to serve here in their behalf, under the plan which Thou hast revealed for the salvation and exaltation of Thy children of all generations.”

Three more notes: On Oct. 19, 1986 — five days before the first dedicatory session — a heavy frost killed thousands of flowers on the temple grounds that were set to bloom at their peak for the dedication. The grounds crew worked with the temple’s housekeeping, engineering, missionary and office staffs, as well as dozens of local Saints, to replace them in time for the dedication with new flowers purchased from nurseries throughout the Denver area. … The Denver temple was dedicated in 19 sessions over five days, with the total attendance of about 28,300 Latter-day Saints being nearly a third of the temple district’s 85,000 members. … The temple district initially included Colorado and parts of South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Wyoming.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Denver Colorado Temple

• Denver Colorado Temple | Church News Almanac
• Denver Colorado Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘This is a day of rejoicing’

How to Visit Hobbitenango: Lord of The Rings in Guatemala

This article contains affiliate links, that may earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, please see our disclaimer here .

I grew up listening to the ominous music of the Lord of The Rings soundtrack from my bed as my parents watched the trilogy yet again. They were obsessed, and I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for all things Middle Earth. 

When I discovered there was a Lord of The Rings-themed park in Antigua, I knew I had to visit! 

Hobbitenango is an eco-park/restaurant/hotel in the hills outside Antigua. With sweeping views of Antigua’s three volcanoes, Agua, Acatenango and Fuego, and the lush Panchoy Valley, it’s the perfect escape from the city. You can breathe in fresh mountain air, do some Middle Earth-themed activities and snap some pics at the famous hand statue. 

I was worried it might be a little kitschy, but it was actually so much fun and was one of our favourite days in the city. It’s super affordable, not too far away, and can easily be visited in a half-day from Antigua. 

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Hobbitenango Guatemala. 

Table of Contents

What is Hobbitenango?

Part eco-park, part restaurant, part hotel, Hobbitenango is a Lord of the Rings-themed wonderland just outside Antigua. 

The park was the vision of some local LOTR fans who wanted somewhere to escape city life and enjoy the incredible vistas of Antigua’s volcanoes and the Panchoy Valley. 

It’s since become one of the most popular attractions in all of Guatemala and one of the top things to do in Antigua . 

Building the park was a labour of love, and once you visit, you’ll understand why. The Vuelta Grande area where the park is located is incredibly steep, and the park has literally been built into the side of a mountain. 

To this day, access is via an insanely steep road only accessible by 4×4, and they managed to build the park and get all the building materials up there. Crazy! 

I first thought the name was a play on Hobbiton (the OG Hobbit town in New Zealand) and Acatenango (one of the volcanoes you can see from the park), which would have been cool.

But ‘tenango’ actually means ‘the place of’, and you’ll notice it in a lot of Guatemalan city names, like Quetzaltenango, Chichicastenango etc. Hobbitenango is place of the Hobbits.

Hobbitenango is a fun day trip from Antigua and is a great place to enjoy the incredible green landscapes and views, breathe in the fresh mountain air and have some good old-fashioned FUN. 

How far is Hobbitenango from Antigua Guatemala?

Hobbitenango is located about 20 minutes drive from Antigua. It’s located in the Vuelta Grande/El Hato area in the steep hills north of the city. 

GET OUR GUATEMALA GOOGLE MAP

Save hours with our FREE custom Guatemala Google Map! Get 200+ locations pinned, giving you our best tips and recommendations in your pocket.

How to get to Hobbitenango

Hobbitenango is quite easy to get to, however, it can be a bit trickier to get back to Antigua, so you need to consider both ways when planning your journey. 

There are several ways you can get to Hobbitenango: 

• 🚐 Hobbitenango shuttle : there is an official shuttle that departs from the Hobbitenango office in Antigua city centre at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. It costs 45Q per person for a return trip . You need to book your shuttle in advance and arrive at the office 15 minutes before the departure. The shuttles return from Hobbitenango at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm. This is the most reliable option, and usually the most affordable. It means you won’t get caught out when you want to go back to the city. 
• 🚗 Uber: Uber is readily available in Antigua and we easily got a driver for 50Q. Although, Brayden did have to get out at one point and push the very tiny, manual car up a particularly steep hill! The problem with Uber is that you are very unlikely to get one on the way back. Unless you connect with a driver dropping someone off, you can rule out using Uber to get back to Antigua. 
• 🚕 Tuk-tuk or taxi: there are taxis and tuk-tuks all over Antigua city centre. The tuk-tuks don’t usually like driving up to Hobbitenango because it’s so steep, and I wouldn’t take a taxi if you could order an Uber. However, this is the most likely way to get back down to the city if you didn’t book the shuttle. We couldn’t get an Uber and found a row of local taxis who have cottoned on to this and tried to charge a ridiculous price. We first got quoted 200Q, I think we got it down to 120Q from memory, and thankfully we had met two other girls who also needed to go back to the city, so we split it with them. 

I wish we had just booked the shuttle with Hobbitenago. We ended up paying 120Q to get there and back when we could have paid 90Q total for the reliable shuttle with set return times. 

No matter how you get to Hobbitenango, you will get dropped off in their car park. The final stretch to reach the official entrance is up an insanely steep road, accessible by 4×4 only. 

Your entrance ticket includes a 4×4 ride up the final stretch to the park, so don’t attempt to walk it! When you get out of your Uber/taxi/car, there are staff there to greet you, you’ll buy your ticket and they’ll show you to the truck. They leave every 15 – 20 minutes or so. 

When you leave the park, you’ll do the same. Wait near the main entrance for a 4×4 truck to take you down to the car park. From there you can take the shuttle or try and find an Uber or taxi. 

🏍️ There is one other way you can visit Hobbitenango – on an ATV tour! There are tons of different tours around Antigua, but there are two in particular that include a visit to Hobbitenango and give you around 60 – 90 minutes at the park. The ATV Mountain Adventure or the ATV Sunset Tour .

Opening hours

Hobbitenango is open 7 days a week from 8:00 am. It closes at 6:00 pm on Monday – Friday and stays open until 8:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. 

It’s best to go early in the morning as the sky is more likely to be clear and you can see the volcanoes. The clouds usually roll in mid-morning. 

Hobbitenango is much busier on the weekends as it’s a very popular attraction with locals. The plus side is they offer a buffet breakfast and lunch, and they have a market and live music. However, you’ll probably have to line up for attractions like the swing and hand statue.  

We visited mid-week in the morning and felt like we had the park to ourselves for a few hours. 

The entry to Hobbitentango is 50Q (~6.50 USD) for adults and 30Q (~$4 USD) for children aged 4 – 10 years. Under 4 years is free. 

It’s amazing value because pretty much everything inside the park is included! All the activities and attractions are included as part of your ticket. The only extra thing you have to pay for is any food and drinks you’d like. 

On the weekends, Hobbitenango offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast and lunch buffet. Your buffet cost includes your entry fee: 

• Adults: 149Q
• Children: 69Q
• Adults: 184Q
• Children: 79Q

Attractions at Hobbitenango

As soon as we arrived we made a beeline for the big swing, as this was the activity we were most excited for! 

This isn’t a high-adrenaline theme park, so the swing isn’t that big, but it was surprisingly thrilling and I definitely squealed as the platform dropped out from under me! 

The views over the volcano and valley as you’re swinging back and forth are incredible and it was a nice little rush to start the day. 

Hobbitenango hand statue

The famous Guatemala hand statue that you have no doubt seen photos of on Instagram is located at Hobbitenango! 

A stone sculpture of a troll’s hand, sometimes called the Hobbitenago Hand or El Mano Gigante Hobbitenango, is the icon of the park. 

Dripping with vines and moss, jutting out off the edge of a small cliff with expansive views over the volcanoes and Panchoy Valley, it does make for a great photo opp. 

You’ll most likely have to line up though, as everyone has the same idea. There was even a staff member stationed at the hand, managing the queue and taking photos for people. Madness. 

Axe throwing and archery

This was a fun little area near the market stalls where you could throw axes like the dwarves, or try your hand at archery like the elves. 

As someone with very poor eyesight and very bad coordination, I was slightly fearful for those around me but it was a lot of fun! 

There is a mini golf course spread all around the hillside. You can grab a ball and some putters from the front counter and work your way around the course. 

Surprisingly I beat Brayden! 

Hobbit houses

There are four public hobbit houses scattered around the grounds. With their round doors and low roofs, we couldn’t help but imagine Bilbo Baggins in his house in The Shire. 

The houses have some seats inside, they’re not actual houses or rooms (although there are hobbit houses you can stay in). They’re just a place to rest, take photos, and enjoy the views. 

Other lookouts and photo spots

There are so many other lookout points and photo props scattered around the park. You’ll find a map when you arrive, so just wander around and tick off all the sites. 

Nature trails

At the back of the property, there are some short trails through the forest if you want to explore a bit further. 

Amenities at Hobbitenango

In addition to all the attractions and activities, Hobbitenango has several restaurants, a bar and a cafe/bakery. 

We planned to have lunch there, but the food was pretty pricey so we just shared one dish. We got the lasagne which was really tasty, but not very big for the cost. I’d save your lunch for one of the many amazing restaurants in Antigua . 

There are bathrooms at the entrance and another set near the bistro. 

Staying at Hobbitenango

If one day isn’t enough and you really want to live out your Middle Earth fantasy, you can spend the night at Hobbitenango in a Hobbit house. 

There are three little Hobbit houses available. They’re all eco-friendly and have been built entirely with natural materials. They all have incredible floor-to-ceiling glass windows, so you can wake up to the volcanoes, as well as a cosy fireplace to snuggle around at night. 

You get to enjoy the park when the day trippers have left, and I believe the restaurant remains open for guests for dinner. Coffee is delivered to your room in the morning and you can enjoy breakfast before the masses arrive. 

It’s not as luxurious as some of the boutique stays in Antigua , but it’s so unique and the views and peaceful natural surroundings are worth it.

🧙🏻‍♂️ Book your stay at Hobbitenango here

Planning a trip to Antigua

If you’re planning a trip to Antigua, don’t forget to check out our Antigua Guatemala travel guide . It covers all the important info you need to know about the city, like getting there, getting around and other handy tips to get your bearings.  

OUR ANTIGUA TRAVEL GUIDES ⛪️☕️🌋

• ⛪️ Antigua Guatemala Travel Guide
• 🛏️ Where to Stay in Antigua Guatemala
• 🍝 Best Restaurants in Antigua Guatemala
• 🥾 Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala
• 🌋 Pacaya Volcano Hike
• 🧙🏻‍♂️ How to Visit Hobbitenango

Guatemala Map 🇬🇹

Get our FREE custom Guatemala Google Map with all our recommendations pinned for you! Cut down your planning and research time and have all our tips saved in your pocket.

Is Hobbitenango Guatemala worth it?

When you travel, there’s a lot of history, culture, sightseeing and other serious stuff. Sometimes you just need a day of fun where you don’t have to use your brain or learn anything. 

Hobbitenango was that day for us, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. 

If you’re wondering if Hobbitenango Guatemala is worth visiting, my answer is definitely! Whether you love the Lord of The Rings or not, it’s a fun attraction and a nice way to soak up the stunning environment and views outside of Antigua. 

It’s a pretty affordable day out, just 95Q per person for entry and return transport from the city and you get a lot of bang for your buck inside the park. 

You only need half a day to explore all the sights in the park, so you can easily be back in Antigua for lunch at one of the many amazing restaurants, and squeeze in some more sightseeing. 

MORE ANTIGUA POSTS

• Ultimate Antigua Guatemala Travel Guide + Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Antigua Guatemala: Best Boutique Stays
• Best Restaurants in Antigua Guatemala: Our Top 20 Spots
• 28 Best Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala
• Everything You Need to Know About the Pacaya Volcano Hike

Sally Rodrick

Sally Rodrick is the voice behind Sally Sees. She has spent 12 months travelling in Mexico and Central America, and has her sights firmly set on South America. Sally helps thousands of readers discover the magic of Latin America. Sharing detailed guides to inspire and equip them with the knowledge they need to plan their own epic adventures in this incredible part of the world.

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment