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Home/Destinations/Australia & New Zealand/New Zealand/Lord of the Rings Road Trip: Explore Middle Earth

Lord of the Rings Road Trip: Explore Middle Earth

Most Popular Vacations
  • Drive from Auckland to Rotorua, discovering Hobbiton’s craftsmanship and New Zealand’s cinematic storytelling.
  • Experience Māori traditions, forest storytelling, song, dance, and seasonal cuisine at Te Pā Tū.
  • Explore Wellington’s film culture through Middle-earth locations and Wētā Workshop’s celebrated artistry.
  • Meet Nelson artisans, including the jeweller who crafted the One Ring for Tolkien’s films.
  • Follow New Zealand’s self-drive route to Edoras, linking dramatic landscapes with cinematic heritage.

17

Days

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel
55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

Trip Features

Epic Scenery
Line image of mountains and clouds in a beautiful locale
Showcases landscapes that elevate parts of the journey.
Iconic Landmarks
Icon of the pyramids in Egypt
Features renowned sites that capture the essence of each destination.
Most Popular Vacations
A collection of our most popular vacation packages worldwide.
Road Trips
Independent, self-driving road trips that offer extra freedom.

Trip Itinerary

At a Glance

DAY

1

Arrive in Auckland

DAY

2

Auckland Via Matamata to Rotorua

DAY

3

Rotorua Sightseeing and Culture

DAY

4

Rotorua via Lake Taupo to Tongariro to Mt Ruapehu/Ohakune

DAY

5

Tongariro Day at Leisure

DAY

6

Mt Ruapehu/Ohakune to Wellington

DAY

7

Middle Earth Full Day Tour

DAY

8

Wellington to Nelson

DAY

9

Nelson

DAY

10

Nelson via Nelson Lakes to Punakaiki

DAY

11

Punakaiki to Franz Josef

DAY

12

Franz Josef to Queenstown

DAY

13

Safari of the Scenes

DAY

14

Milford Sound

DAY

15

Queenstown to Christchurch

DAY

16

Lord of the Rings Edoras Tour

DAY

17

Depart Christchurch

Travel Itinerary
Trip Starts
Trip Stop
Trip Ends

What to Expect

Explore what moves you.

Most Popular Time to Travel

Know when to go.

Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
ChristchurchPartly Cloudy
21°C / 70°F
30mm / 1.2"
QueenstownPartly Cloudy
17°C / 63°F
30mm / 1.2"
WellingtonOccasional Showers
16°C / 60°F
45mm / 1.8"
RotoruaPartly Cloudy
18°C / 65°F
60mm / 2.3"
AucklandOccasional Showers
20°C / 68°F
69mm / 2.7"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.
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Popularity rating
ExcellentBased on 5,242 Reviews
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We went on a highly customized comprehensive (though quick tour) of England and a bit of Scotland through Goway. Ingrid Aird did an amazing job of planning and arranging every detail with her deep experience, insight, thoughtfulness and creativity, tuning into the needs of each traveler; and she did so even though our decision to travel was rather spontaneous and last minute! Our family had the best time! We look forward to working with Ingrid and Goway again!Vilja Breiling
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We used Goway to put together an itinerary for East Africa , and Zanzibar . Everything was great and went smoothly Dawn
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I can't tell you enough how much I love to work with Callie. She is a life saver and I love how attentive she is. Every time I give her an itinerary for a client- she really knocks it out of the park with the proposal. If there are any issues- she is on it right away. Her work ethic is outstanding.Michelle Labarca
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I had the pleasure of working with Amelia on a booking for a family of 4 to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. She executed everything perfectly, was attentive to needs and the family was over the top happy with their vacation. She was quick to answer questions and provide helpful feedback. Highly recommended!Jessie Williams
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We were trying to navigate Swiss Travel Center to book a 10 day train trip through Switzerland. It was exactly what we wanted but navigating their site was extremely difficult for us. Goway Travel picked up on our plight and put us in contact with Jacqueline Fagooli, one of their agents. From there on everything was so smooth. Their efficiency, communication, and thoroughness were beyond our expectations. The trip was fabulous and kudos to Jacqueline and Goway for their help in making it so.Carolyn McCormack
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The destination specialist I've worked with (Kim Rawlings) has provided exceptional service. She is very knowledgeable of her region and everything they have to offer. She is very prompt in her communication and follow-up. She listens and is very attentive to my client's needs and wants. Kim's personality makes one feel like they've known each other for years. If GoWay had a customer service model, Kim is it.T. Jackson, Tribe Trek Travel
Verified
We had a wonderful and amazing two weeks in North-West Scotland. Shoutout to Jacqueline at Goway Toronto and the driver/guides with Rabbie's minibus tours (Stefan and Willie). Well-chosen hotels and no worries with dietary requirements; every detail was taken care of. Thank you! Ben Daube
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Katie was professional, extremely responsive, and very welcoming to work with! We appreciate the recommendations, thoughtful edits, and the expertise. Would definitely recommend Goway travel and working with their team.Parking.com Customer
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Such thoughtful and sincere communication with my advisor Katie! Even though the trip didn’t come into fruition as expected, she still remained committed to adjusting around our itinerary every step of the way. I’m very thankful for the opportunity she gave us as well as just general ideas for the trip.Jenna
Verified
Working with Isabella on a families trip to Ireland! The itinerary was 2 weeks, self drive with many excursions and a family wedding in the middle of it all! She was amazing from start to finish! She answered every question my clients had! She gave the best recommendations! So many details and planning went into this amazing trip! If i could give 10 stars I would! She would call me to make sure everything looked great! Thank you Isabella at Goway! You are the BEST and made this so easy for everyone! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Christine Amling

What do the experts say?

Mikayla McInnis

Mikayla McInnis

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
The food in New Zealand is incredible, and New Zealanders are rightly proud of their paddock to plate cuisine. Almost everything is sustainably grown and processed, from lamb and seafood to vegetables and fruit.
Mary Georgiou

Mary Georgiou

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
About 20 percent of New Zealand is made up of National Parks, Forests, and Nature Reserves. And they’re all free to enter!
Mary Georgiou

Mary Georgiou

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
The Māori cultural experiences and performances offered throughout the North and South Islands are well worth seeking out. If the opportunity presents itself, definitely take part in a hāngī
Mary Georgiou

Mary Georgiou

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Looking for a great restaurant in New Zealand? Try The Bunker in Queenstown, Plato in Dunedin, Manu in Christchurch, and Oppies Fish & Chips in Rotorua
Erin Hutchinson

Erin Hutchinson

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
All Blacks rugby is huge in New Zealand. If you’re a sports fan, be sure to check out a home game. The All Blacks typically play their home test matches during the months of July, August, September and sometimes October

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