We make our way up to the Mount Victoria Lookout to see spectacular views of Wellington’s city by driving up Courtenay Place, past the Embassy Picture Theatre which held two world premieres; The last LOTR instalment The Return of the King (2003), and the first Hobbit movie An Unexpected Journey (2012).
Then it is off to Hobbiton Woods where the filming of his epic trilogy began. Home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam & Frodo’s Second Breakfast; the location where the Hobbits hid from the Black Rider (“Get off the Road!”); the Race to the Buckleberry Ferry scene; and King Théoden’s Dunharrow Encampment.
Now we are off to the Weta Workshop in Miramar. for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour where you see how props plus weaponry are made and probably maybe meet artists at work.
At the Weta Cave see and have photos with Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai, Bilbo’s three Trolls.
The tour concludes with a drive around the bays back to the city
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. Service animals allowed. Public transportation options are available nearby. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Wheelchair accessible. Suitable for all physical fitness levels. Cruise Ship Passenger bookings should select the following option as their pickup location which is the Wellington Cruise Ship Port: Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand . Cruise Ship Passenger bookings should add their ship name in special requirements field.. PICKUP LOCATION MUST BE GIVEN AT TIME OF BOOKING: Default pickup location Wellington iSite Visitor Centre, if you do not know your hotel at time of booking. You can amend your pickup when you know your hotel, if it is located in the CBD pickup area.
The Wellington iSite Bus Stop at 145 Wakefield Steet is the alternative pick up point if you are not arriving off a Cruise Ship or your Hotel is outside of the CBD pick up zone.
CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS WILL BE COLLECTED FROM THE PORT IN THE DESIGNATED PICKUP AREA, YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO IN TO THE CITY
Please select "Wellington Cruise Ship Port, Pipitea" option as your pickup location and enter your ship name in the additional booking details.
Your pickup time will be 45 minutes after the ship has docked (even if your ship has been delayed or arrives early) with 8.45am being the earliest pickup time. For the convenience of other guests, please ensure you arrive at the tour area promptly as the tour may not wait for you. Look out for the Xplor Tours guides who will greet you.
NON-CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER BOOKINGS:
Pickup times may differ from tour start times if there are multiple guest pickup locations. We will contact you in advance of your tour with your estimated pickup time if this is the case.