As the last Hobbit film hits theatres, visit Middle Earth for yourself with Viator’s exclusive behind-the-scenes movie set tours and day trips to popular LOTR filming locations across New Zealand.
With the third and final installment of The Hobbit trilogy premiering Dec. 17 (U.S.), Viator – the leading resource for researching and booking tours and activities worldwide – has a selection of Lord of the Rings and Hobbiton Tours in New Zealand guaranteed to delight fans of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves. From exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the movie sets and special effects studio to sightseeing tours of the country’s most picturesque spots, Viator promises travelers a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they visit the same outposts where dwarves and trolls once voyaged.
Matamata – aka “Hobbiton”
Tour the movie setting of the Shire with its rolling green hills and hobbit holes on the Viator Exclusive: Early Access to the Lord of the Rings Hobbiton Movie Set. This ultimate behind-the-scenes look at where “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies were filmed includes a visit to portions of the set typically only accessed by the crew. Travelers will arrive early to avoid the crowds, walk around the set as a small group, access areas that are normally completely off-limits, and enjoy a hearty breakfast at the Green Dragon Inn. Highlights include Bilbo Baggins’ house, Bag End, the Mill and the Party Tree among other recognizable landmarks.
Wellington
See where Gollum came to life on Viator’s new Weta Cave Workshop Tour – one of the world’s leading concept design and physical effects manufacturing operations. Led by a Weta technician, the tour provides an insider’s view of how the special effects are made, using actual props that were made for the films. Listen closely as crewmembers may even reveal some of the secrets behind the movie magic. The Wellington’s Lord of the Rings Locations Tour includes a visit to Weta Studios in addition to Greenbelt, the Hutt Valley and Kaitoke Regional Park, also known as Rivendell, or for those short on time the Wellington’s Lord of the Rings Half Day Tour visits top locations in just four hours.
Queenstown
Skiers and thrill seekers will recognize the mountain range locally called “The Remarkables” which was used in many scenery shots for both the Snowy Mountains and the landscapes of Mordor in “The Lord of the Rings” as well as the Misty Mountains in “The Hobbit.” Viator’s Glenorchy Movie Locations Tour: The Lord of the Rings from Queenstown visits locations were the Fortress of Isengard, Forest of Lothlorien and other scenes were filmed, with breathtaking views of the mountain range along Lake Wakatipu.
Auckland
Travelers will enjoy seeing two magical places come to life on the Waitomo Caves and “The Lord of the Rings” Hobbiton Movie Set Day Trip from Auckland. The tour begins with a visit to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where a boat ride to the grotto offers a glimpse of thousands of glowworms twinkling in the darkness. After a picnic lunch, travelers are transported to Matamata and the Hobbiton Movie Set, where they can explore the Shire and home of Bilbo Baggins, take their photo in front of a hobbit hole, and visit the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and other locations from the movies.
Viator has a selection of additional “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” tours across New Zealand departing from Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Rotorua, in addition to two shore excursions for cruise passengers in port in Auckland and Tauranga. For more information on these tours as well as the latest deals, promotions, contests and news, visit http://www.viator.com or follow Viator on Facebook (ViatorTours) and Twitter (ViatorTravel).
