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Day 1 - North Island & Nationwide

Stay

TIME Unlimited Tours. | Nationwide Private Tours & Transfers

Arrive in Auckland and get ready for your Hobbit Journey. Time Unlimited will collect you from the airport and transfer you to your first night's accommodation giving you a full day of sightseeing along the way. Two hours drive south of Auckland, Matamata is home to Hobbiton. The village is a superbly constructed and intricately detailed film set.

Your driver will leave you at your accommodation on the lake in Rotorua.

Day 2 - Turangi, Central Plateau

Stay

River Birches Lodge

Turangi is two hours drive south, on the shores of Lake Taupo. River Birches lodge is located on the edge of the Tongariro river.

You have time to explore one of the Thermal Parks or take a scenic float plane ride over the lake and volcanos.

Day 3 - Rotorua, Central Plateau

Stay

Koura Lodge

Pick up a hire car to continue your journey.

Day 6 - Turangi, Central Plateau

Do

Tongariro Guided Walks | Tongariro Crossing Guided Walks

Stay

River Birches Lodge

The Tongariro Crossing is famous as one of New Zealand's most dramatic classic treks. Hiking the Crossing takes a full day and you will see the locations for some of Tolkien's most spectacular landscapes; Mt Doom, Mordor and Emyn Muil.

Day 7 - Wellington

Stay

Ohtel

The drive from Turangi to Wellington on SH1 takes 4 hours. Your hotel is central and a short walk from Te Papa, the stunning national museum, well worth a couple of hours.

Day 8 - Wellington

Do

Flat Earth | Hobbit & LOTR Tours

Stay

Ohtel

Today you gain a behind-the-scenes look at movie making, some of Wellington's location settings for Lord of the Rings and visit Peter Jackson's Weta Workshop Cave with Flat Earth Tours. In the afternoon enjoy a short walk up Mt Victoria for fantastic harbour and city views.

Day 9 - Abel Tasman, Nelson Region

Stay

The Resurgence

Fly Wellington to Nelson or take the Interislander ferry to Picton and drive across to Nelson. Stop at Pelorus Bridge, where the Hobbits escape down the river in barrels. The Resurgence is set high in the bush clad Riwaka Valley close by Abel Tasman Park.

Day 16 - Abel Tasman, Nelson Region

Do

Cape Farewell Horse Treks | Clifftop & Beach Horse Treks

Stay

The Resurgence

Hike to Harwood's Hole and Caanan Downs and spot many familiar scenes. Continue to Golden Bay and join Cape Farewell Horsetreks to ride where the stars did in West Rivendell. Ride through the caves and watch seals play in the rock pools.

Day 24 - Abel Tasman, Nelson Region

Do

Reid Helicopters Nelson | Scenic & LOTR Helicopter Flights

Do

Wine Art and Wilderness | Hobbits Holidays Location Tours

Stay

The Resurgence

An adventure into Middle Earth visiting Nelson's two famous film sites this guided trip covers the key filming locations.

An optional flight over Mt Olympus, South of Rivendell, and Mt Owen, Dimrill Dale in The Fellowship of the Ring. This site is extremely remote and can only be reached by helicopter.

Day 25 - Arrowtown, Queenstown

Stay

Arrowtown House Boutique Hotel

Fly Nelson to Queenstown via Christchurch. Arrowtown is a delightful small village 15 minutes from busier Queenstown. Arrowtown House is 5 minutes stroll from the village centre.

Day 26 - Arrowtown, Queenstown

Do

Nomad Safaris | 4WD Safari & LOTR Locations

Stay

Arrowtown House Boutique Hotel

Take a 4WD tour to LOTR and Hobbit locations including the Arrow River and Macetown. Sit back and relax in comfort as your expert driver entertains you with fascinating local insights.

Day 27 - Wanaka

Stay

Lime Tree Lodge

Drive over to Wanaka and enjoy the walking and cycling tracks along the lake's edge and the banks of the Clutha River.

Day 28 - Wanaka

Do

Eco Wanaka Adventures | Alpine Heli-Hiking

Stay

Lime Tree Lodge

Another day on top of the world with a 2-hour hike, 2 4WD rides and a stunning helicopter ride.

Day 29 - Journey's End

Return to Queenstown airport ready for your outbound flight.