Southern Trails

Travel to the original filming locations and put yourself in the scene with Southern Trails, Queenstown’s most immersive Lord of the Rings tours. Designed for fans, by fans, the tours combine visits to epic filming locations with an extensive range of replica props and behind-the-scenes knowledge to help you relive the magic.

Encompassing locations around Queenstown, Glenorchy, and the Mavora Lakes region, Southern Trails takes you to more filming sites than any other Lord of the Rings tour operator. You’ll have a chance to:

• Dress as your favourite characters and reenact scenes
• Reference the script for the exact lines used in each location
• Learn humorous and fascinating tales from the time of filming
• Handle authentic replicas that include swords, axes, daggers, helmets and much more
• Visit the spectacular settings for some of Middle-earth’s most iconic locations

Activity Options

Half Day in Middle Earth

Travelling around the Queenstown region, this half-day tour visits filming locations in Arrowtown, Gibbston Valley, and Skippers Canyon. Your tour guide is a Lord of the Rings nerd with superb knowledge of all things “Rings,” and you’ll learn more about what happened during the filming while you explore the beautiful landscapes around Queenstown.

Lord of the Rings locations visited on this tour include:

• The Ford of Bruinen
• Pillars of the Kings
• The Gladden Fields
• And more!

You will also have a chance to recreate the scenes with reference photos, original scripts and production call sheets, and an extensive range of authentic replica props.

Half Day in Middle Earth Highlights Include:

• 4.5 hour tour
• Departs at 8am and 1:30pm daily
• Includes morning or afternoon tea (hot or cold drink)
• The largest selection of authentic licensed replica props
• Travel in a comfortable 4WD van
• Ages 5+

Extra details:

• Pick up outside the Queenstown Station Information Centre (corner of Shotover and Camp Street). If you require a different pick up address this may be possible for an additional charge. Please contact us to arrange.
• Our buses are not wheelchair accessible
• You will do some walking on dirt tracks, so wear suitable shoes
• If you are travelling with children under 5, we can arrange a private tour

Half Day in Glenorchy & Paradise

This tour (which operates on limited dates – please enquire for availability) ventures into the spectacular Glenorchy region, where snowcapped peaks and mysterious forests served as iconic filming locations. This is Middle-Earth at its most epic.

Lord of the Rings locations visited on this tour include:

• Ithilien
• Isengard
• Beorn’s House
• Lothlorien
• Amon Hen
• And more!

During your tour, you will get a chance to handle an extensive range of authentic licensed replica props. Your guide can help you replicate scenes using reference photos, original scripts and production call sheets.

Half Day in Glenorchy & Paradise Highlights Include:

• 4.5 hour tour
• Departs at 1:30pm
• Includes a hot or cold beverage
• The largest selection of authentic licensed replica props
• Travel in a comfortable 4WD van
• Ages 5+

Extra details:

• Pick up outside the Queenstown Station Information Centre (corner of Shotover and Camp Street). If you require a different pick up address this may be possible for an additional charge. Please contact us to arrange.
• Our buses are not wheelchair accessible
• You will do some walking on dirt tracks, so wear suitable shoes
• If you are travelling with children under 5, we can arrange a private tour

Half Day Mavora Lakes Middle Earth Adventure

This tour is something special. Southern Trails is the only tour operator running regular Lord of the Rings tours to the Mavora Lakes region, yet some of the most recognisable and breathtaking filming locations are found here.

Departing from Te Anau, this half-day tour runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through the summer season. Journey to Lake Manapouri and the Mavora Lakes region as you discover stunning lakes, rivers, and forests. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a curious adventurer, you’ll find yourself transported into the magical world of hobbits, elves, and epic quests.

Recreate scenes with a large collection of licensed replica props and original scripts, learn about the experience the cast and crew had while filming here, and journey deep into the beautiful Southland wilderness.

Lord of the Rings locations visited on this tour include:

• The Dead Marshes
• The Anduin River
• Fangorn Forest
• The Silverlode River
• Nen Hithoel
• Amon Hen
• And more!

Half Day Mavora Lakes Middle Earth Adventure Highlights Include:

• 5.5 hour tour
• Departs 11am Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays from 1 November – 31 March
• The largest selection of authentic licensed replica props
• Travel in a comfortable 4WD van
• Ages 7+

Extra details:

• Pick up from the bus stop outside 96 Te Anau Terrace. If you require a different pick up address this may be possible for an additional charge. Please contact us to arrange.
• Our buses are not wheelchair accessible
• This is an adventure tour – a medium level of fitness is required. You will do some walking on dirt tracks, so wear suitable shoes.
• If you are travelling with children under 7, we can arrange a private tour
• Lunch is not included – we will stop at the Alpine Centre where guests will be able to buy a packed lunch to have at the Mavora Lakes.

Full Day in Middle Earth

Combine our Half Day in Middle Earth with an afternoon adventure to Glenorchy and Paradise with our partner company. We take a 1 hour lunch break back in Queenstown and change buses for the afternoon tour. Morning and Afternoon Tour itineraries are interchangeable and can be switched due to availability or weather conditions.

If you want to see all of the top filming locations around Queenstown, this is the perfect way to tick off the highlights. From dramatic river gorges to soaring mountain peaks, explore some of the most beautiful corners of Middle-Earth and bring the films to life with props, scripts, photos, and behind-the-scenes details.

Lord of the Rings locations visited on this tour include:

• Morning tour:
  • The Ford of Bruinen
  • The Gladden Fields
  • Pillars of the Kings
  • And more!
• Afternoon tour:
  • Ithilien
  • Isengard
  • Beorn’s House
  • Lothlorien
  • Amon Hen
  • And more!

Full Day in Middle Earth Highlights Include:

• 10 hour tour
• Departs at 8am daily
• Includes morning and afternoon tea (hot or cold drink)
• The largest selection of authentic licensed replica props
• Travel in a comfortable 4WD van
• Ages 10+

Extra details:

• Pick up outside the Queenstown Station Information Centre (corner of Shotover and Camp Street). If you require a different pick up address this may be possible for an additional charge. Please contact us to arrange.
• Our buses are not wheelchair accessible
• You will do some walking on dirt tracks, so wear suitable shoes
• If you are travelling with children under 10, we can arrange a private tour
• Lunch is not included. We stop for an hour’s lunch break in Queenstown.

Full Day Mavora Lakes Middle Earth Adventure

Departing from Queenstown on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, this tour includes many of the same locations as the Half Day Mavora Lakes Middle Earth Adventure. Encounter the edge of Fangorn Forest and relive the dramatic Breaking of the Fellowship as Frodo and Sam take their fateful steps toward Mordor.

In the cooler months when days are shorter, from 1 April – 31 October, venture into the beautiful Mavora Lakes region to discover the following filming locations:

• Fangorn Forest
• The Silverlode River
• Nen Hithoel
• Amon Hen
• And more!

In summer, when the days are longer, the tour also visits Lake Manapouri and Te Anau to take in:

• The Anduin River
• The Dead Marshes

Full Day Mavora Lakes Middle Earth Adventure Highlights Include:

• 7 hour tour (1 April – 31 October) or 10 hour tour (1 November – 31 March)
• Departs at 9am in winter and 8:30am in summer
• Winter tour includes lunch – please advise dietary restrictions and allergies.
• In summer, you will take a 45-minute lunch break in Te Anau (lunch at own expense)
• The largest selection of authentic licensed replica props
• Travel in a comfortable 4WD van
• Ages 7+

Extra details:

• Pick up outside the Queenstown Station Information Centre (corner of Shotover and Camp Street). If you require a different pick up address this may be possible for an additional charge. Please contact us to arrange.
• Our buses are not wheelchair accessible
• This is an adventure tour – a medium level of fitness is required. You will do some walking on dirt tracks, so wear suitable shoes.
• If you are travelling with children under 7, we can arrange a private tour

Other Information

If you are interested in a helicopter Lord of the Rings tour along with your ground tour, we offer a combo with Southern Lakes Helicopters that gives you a discount when booked together. Please enquire for more information.

The Mavora Lakes tours are weather permitting. Heavy rain and snow in Fiordland National Park can occasionally require cancellations of the half-day and full-day Mavora Lakes Adventure.

Exclusive souvenirs are available for purchase at the end of your tour. Bring cash if you are interested in purchasing any of these.

If you are bringing young children, please bring something to occupy them, like an iPad, just in case they are not as into the tour as you might be.

FAQ

Location

Tours depart from outside the Queenstown Station Information Centre (corner of Shotover and Camp Street)

Book Southern Trails

You can book Queenstown activities separately or as part of one of our New Zealand holiday packages. We bundle activities, accommodation, and transportation together for convenient, affordable New Zealand holidays.

Popular New Zealand holiday packages with a visit to Queenstown include:

• 7 Day Loop the South Island Holiday Package
• 10 Day Lord of the Rings & Hobbit Holiday Package
• 14 Day Lord of the Rings & Hobbit Holiday Package

Contact New Zealand Travel Organiser today to plan your visit to Queenstown.