8 day Lord of the Rings tour - Auckland to Auckland

Day one   Auckland - The City of Sails. 
Upon arrival at Auckland Airport, you will pick up your rental vehicle and drive to your central city accommodation.
This day is free for you to unpack, relax and explore the city area.
Places to visit:
Viaduct Basin.  This vibrant waterfront precinct was developed to provide a focus for America's Cup Yacht Race.  This is also a great place for nighttime entertainment with it's many cafes and bars.
Sky City. Standing 328 meters tall, this is one of New Zealand's most popular entertainment destinations.  Having 2 casinos, ten restaurants and bars and from the Observation level the best view of Auckland City and surrounding areas.
Shopping. Queen Street, Vulcan Lane, High Street, O'Connell Street and Chancery.
Your accommodation tonight has been arranged in Auckland City

Day two   Auckland - Hobbiton
Today you will drive to Hobbiton (Alias Matamata).  

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, 2 Hours - Cost: NZ$150.00 per Adult.
Hobbiton is situated on a privately owned 10 hectare working sheep farm that was transformed into the Shire for the Lord of the Rings.  Here your tour guide will escort you through the site, recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created and the area was transformed into the Shire.  A few Hobbit holes are still remaining, as are some of the paths and the Party tree.  There is plenty of opportunity for photographs.
N.B. Tour times must be pre-arranged.  The first one departs from the Matamata Information Centre at 9.30am and they leave every 75 minutes thereafter with the last tour departing at 3.45pm. - Times can vary according to the season.

Your accommodation that has been pre-arranged for you overnight in Matamata.

Day three   Hobbiton - Taupo
Today you will drive to Taupo.  This area is were scenes involving the dark lord Sauron's domain of Mordor are represented in the films by the rocky plateau of Tongariro National Park just a short drive from Taupo.  View Mount Tongariro which served as the menacing Mount Doom and Whakapapa ski area, on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu were the battle marking the end of the Second Age of Middle Earth was filmed during the off-season.
Your accommodation has been arranged overnight in Taupo.

Day four   Taupo - Wellington
Today you will drive to Middle Earth (Alias Wellington) - Approx 5-1/2 hours driving time, enjoying some of New Zealand's finest scenery along the way.

Wellington is New Zealand's capital city and home to our Parliment Buildings.  It is set between a magnificent harbour and rolling green hills.
Your accommodation has been arranged in Wellington City for 2 nights

Day five   Wellington
Visit Middle Earth - Visit many of the Lord of the Rings filming locations.   Whilst most of the film sets have since been removed, the scenery of Wellington mirrors that of Middle Earth.
Your Option of:
A Half Day Tour of Filming Locations - Cost: NZ$ P.O.A.
Visit the filming locations of the Gardens of Isengrad, the felling of the Orc Tree, Anduin River, Helms Deep and Minas Tirith, the Fords of Isen, Dunharrow and Rivendel.  Go to the Mount Victoria lookout and Hobbiton Woods where you can race to the Ferry and get off the Road.
Rover Ring Tour - Cost: NZ$150.00 per Adult
On this Full Day tour you will explore Greater Wellington with a focus on the film locations used during filming of Lord of the Rings including the Outskirts of the Shire, The Race to the Ferry, Dunharrow, Village of Bree, Rivendell,  Fords of Isen, Gardens of Isengard,  River Anduin,  Minas Tirth and Helms Deep.  You will cover a lot of ground, but there is enough time to explore for yourself how the movies were made.
Middle Earth Deluxe Tour - Cost: NZ$  P.O.A.
This tour has the added exhilaration of a helicopter trip over the amazing limestone formations that formed the Dimholt Road.  Your lunch is served in luxurious vineyard surroundings before you are whisked back to Wellington to resume your tour.  These tours are fun, organised, personal and relaxing.
Your accommodation tonight as before.

Day six   Wellington to Taupo
Today driving North via Kapiti Coast to Taupo.  Kapiti Coast is a popular stretch of coastline north of Wellington with many beachside communities.  An hours drive north of Wellington the countryside near Otaki became the East Road from Hobbiton, and the last homely house of the Elves, Rivendell.  Waitarere Forest, just south of Foxton, was used for filming scenes in Osgiliath Wood and Trollshaw Forest.  Continue your drive to Taupo.
Your accommodation has been arranged for the next 2 nights in Taupo.

Day seven   Taupo
Today is free for you to relax and enjoy more of Tongariro National Park or the many thermal areas surrounding Taupo.

Day eight   Taupo - Auckland
Today you are to drive back to Auckland in time to meet your return flight home.  (If necessary accommodation can be arranged for you overnight in Auckland).  Drop off your rental vehicle as per your Rental Agreement.

Price: NZ$1270.00 includes accommodation based on twin share and rental car, price will vary depending on accommodation and rental.

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