DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND

Haere Mai, Welcome to Auckland! Arrive in Auckland and, once you have cleared Customs and collected your luggage, make your way to the Ezi Car Rentals desk to pick up your vehicle and head to your accommodation. The afternoon is yours to relax or explore the “City of Sails.”

Accommodation : Auckland for 1 night

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DAY 2: AUCKLAND - HOBBITON - ROTORUA

An easy drive south of Auckland brings you to the Waikato region, home to Hobbiton Movie Set, a landscape of lush green pastures chosen to represent the Shire in the The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Here, you will enjoy a guided tour of the 12-acre movie set, featuring the iconic hobbit holes, the Mill, and a visit to the world-famous Green Dragon Inn. Continue your journey to Rotorua for an overnight stay. If time permits, you may wish to join an optional afternoon or evening excursion to explore one of Rotorua’s remarkable geothermal attractions.

Accommodation : Rotorua for 1 night

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DAY 3: ROTORUA - WELLINGTON

Rise early and begin your journey south, stopping at Lake Taupo, the country’s largest lake, and home to the thundering Huka Falls. Continue through volcanic landscapes and native forests before arriving in Wellington, famously known as the “coolest little capital in the world.”

Accommodation : Wellington for 2 nights

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DAY 4: WELLINGTON

This afternoon, enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience at the Weta Workshop, home to the creators of the props and costumes featured in the The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

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DAY 5: WELLINGTON - PICTON

After check-out, head to the Interislander Ferry vehicle terminal to board your 3.5-hour ferry journey to Picton on the South Island. For vehicle check-in, please arrive no later than 1 hour prior to departure. Proudly New Zealand’s original Cook Strait ferry, Interislander has been connecting the North and South Islands for nearly 60 years. Along with breathtaking views, enjoy locally sourced food and beverages, cinemas, free children’s activities, and premium lounges available on board. Upon arrival in Picton, make your way to the Picton Yacht Club Hotel for an overnight stay.

Accommodation : Picton for 1 night

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DAY 6: PICTON - KAIKOURA

Travel through vineyards and rolling hills to the seaside town of Kaikoura. If you arrive early, we recommend purchasing tickets to join a Whale Watch Kaikoura cruise for the ultimate marine experience. Known as a mecca for seafood lovers, Kaikoura offers excellent dining options. We recommend visiting one of the local seafood restaurants for dinner to sample regional specialties, including the town’s namesake, crayfish.

Accommodation : Kaikoura for 1 night

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DAY 7: KAIKOURA - CHRISTCHURCH

Enjoy a leisurely morning wandering along Kaikoura Beach or visiting one of the many spectacular lookouts over the Kaikoura Peninsula, keep an eye out for whales and seals. From Kaikoura, it is a two-hour drive to Christchurch, or you may choose a more scenic inland route via Hanmer Springs, where you can relax in the mineral pools set in a stunning alpine environment. Continue south to Christchurch, known as the Garden City, for a two-night stay.

Accommodation : Christchurch for 2 nights

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DAY 8: CHRISTCHURCH

Experience a full-day Lord of the Rings Tour to Edoras to the filming location of Edoras at the remote and beautiful Mt Potts High Country Station, home to Mount Sunday. Discover how this peaceful mountain was transformed into Edoras, the capital of the Rohan people in the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Immerse yourself in the natural, untouched beauty of this breathtaking region, with its crystal-clear lakes, shimmering blue rivers, and fresh, crisp mountain air.

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DAY 9: CHRISTCHURCH - MONT COOK - TWIZEL

Head south across the Canterbury Plains, passing through the picturesque town of Geraldine before arriving at Lake Tekapo. Admire the stunning turquoise waters of the lake and visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd. After a short lunch stop, continue inland along the shores of Lake Pukaki towards the village of Mount Cook Village. We highly recommend an optional scenic flight over Aoraki, Mount Cook National Park, for the ultimate Southern Alps experience. Your final stop for the night is the small town of Twizel, locally known for its salmon farms.

Accommodation : Twizel for 1 night

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DAY 10: TWIZEL - WANAKA

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your own pace. Your journey to Wanaka takes you through the stunning Lindis Pass, a truly magical landscape, especially when covered in snow. You may wish to stop at one of the vineyards established in the area in recent years, known for producing Pinot Noir and Riesling, before continuing inland to reach the peaceful and picturesque lakeside town of Wanaka. From the waterfront, look towards the Alps at the far end of the lake and you will see the backdrop used for Gandalf’s flight to Rohan with Gwaihir, after his rescue from Orthanc, in the The Lord of the Rings.

Accommodation : Wanaka for 2 nights

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DAY 11: WANAKA

Experience a half-day eco-adventure to Mou Waho Island, located just a 30-minute cruise from Lake Wanaka. This tour combines nature, wildlife, and spectacular panoramic views. This afternoon, explore the area on foot. Stroll along the shores of Lake Wanaka and capture photos of Wanaka’s iconic willow tree.

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DAY 12: WANAKA - QUEENSTOWN

From Wanaka, we recommend taking the shorter route to Queenstown, a 70 km journey via the Crown Range Road, the highest main road in the country. Offering spectacular views and rich gold mining history, this unique route is not to be missed. The road winds its way up to Crown Terrace, where you can look down into Arrowtown in the Arrow Valley, and across to the The Remarkables and the road leading to the ski field. For a more relaxed drive, you can take State Highway 6, which follows the Clutha River, Lake Dunstan, and the Shotover River, passing through Cromwell and the scenic Kawarau Gorge before arriving in Queenstown. Enjoy a four-night stay in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Accommodation : Queenstown for 4 nights

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DAY 13: QUEENSTOWN

For true The Lord of the Rings fans, this scenic sightseeing tour features iconic filming locations and breathtaking natural scenery. The Glenorchy Safari of the Scenes Tour takes you from Queenstown to Glenorchy, with stops at spectacular viewpoints along the way. From Glenorchy, the route follows the Dart River to the filming location used for Isengard, offering stunning views of Mount Earnslaw. Continuing toward Paradise, discover the location used for the Forest of Lothlórien. On the return to Queenstown, stop at 12 Mile Delta to explore the filming location of the Ithilien Camp. This tour also includes locations featured in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

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DAY 14: QUEENSTOWN

Enjoy today at leisure. You may wish to purchase an optional day tour and cruise to Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions.

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DAY 15: QUEENSTOWN

Enjoy today at leisure. You may wish to purchase a ticket for the iconic Skyline Gondola to take in spectacular panoramic views of the town and surrounding mountains. Alternatively, you may choose to experience an exhilarating jet boat ride on the Shotover River.

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DAY 16: DEPARTURE FROM QUEENSTOWN

After check-out, make your way to Queenstown Airport, where you will return your vehicle at Ezi Car Rentals before proceeding to check-in for your departure flight.

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