Full Day Lord of the Rings Mavora Lakes Adventure!
Description
Embark on a Legendary Lord of the Rings Journey from Queenstown Operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays this exclusive LOTR tour takes you deep into the Southland region, home to some of the most breathtaking and sought-after filming locations in Middle Earth. Your journey heads to the stunning Mavora Lakes in Fiordland National Park, where cinematic magic meets unforgettable moments. Discover which fearless actor famously broke two toes near the edge of Fangorn Forest and relive the dramatic Breaking of the Fellowship as Frodo and Sam take their fateful steps toward Mordor. During the warmer months with longer daylight (1 November - 31 March) this tour also ventures to Manapouri & Te Anau, where you’ll uncover the haunting beauty of the Anduin River and the Dead Marshes. You’ll gear up for adventure with the largest collection of authentic, licensed LOTR props, including swords, axes, helmets, & even original scripts! Duration: 1 Apr - 31 Oct: 7hrs 1 Nov - 31 Mar: 10hrs
Tour Options
Itinerary
We depart from Queenstown and take the beautiful scenic drive via the Devils Staircase along lake Wakatipu to the Southland Region. We continue along the way learning about the history of the area and discuss a nearby location filmed for the Hobbit.
(1 November - 31 March Itinerary only) Our journey takes us to the legendary hall where Lord of the Rings production equipment was stored and where several iconic scenes were filmed. This fascinating location offers a behind-the-scenes look at the movie-making process. We then visit the stunning Fraser’s Beach, a tranquil spot where, on a clear day, visitors are treated to panoramic views of the majestic Southern Alps rising from the heart of Fiordland National Park. The striking contrast of the peaceful beach with the towering peaks creates a breathtaking landscape, making this stop a must-see for fans of both The Lord of the Rings and New Zealand’s natural beauty.
(1 November - 31 March Itinerary only) Nestled close to the iconic Kepler Track in Fiordland National Park, two stunning Lord of the Rings filming locations are waiting to be explored. First is the serene Anduin River, where the flowing waters of Middle-earth’s great river were captured. Not far from here, the Dead Marshes offer a haunting landscape, immortalized in the films for their eerie and atmospheric beauty. These breathtaking sites, surrounded by Fiordland’s rugged terrain, give visitors a chance to experience the real-world magic of these famous filming locations. Perfect for both Lord of the Rings fans and nature enthusiasts, this part of Fiordland holds a deep connection to both cinematic history and New Zealand’s natural splendor.
(1 November - 31 March Itinerary only) We make a stop at Te Anau, the vibrant tourism hub of the Southland Region and the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Nestled along the shores of New Zealand's second-largest lake, and the largest by water volume, offering a tranquil setting with breathtaking views. During our lunch break, you’ll have the chance to soak in the serene beauty of the lake, while the majestic Southern Alps loom in the distance, creating a perfect backdrop for relaxation. This peaceful pause allows us to fully appreciate the stunning landscapes that make Fiordland and the surrounding areas so unique.
The highlight of this adventure takes us to the breathtaking Mavora Lakes Park, a truly magical location. Before entering, we visit a Lord of the Rings filming spot where one of the main actors broke two toes trying to perfect a scene. Entering the park, we begin at South Mavora Lake, here we cross a stunning swing bridge where the Fellowship departs Lothlórien on their Elven boats along the Silverload River. Our journey continues to North Mavora Lake, where Frodo and Sam embark on their solitary journey to Mordor during the Breaking of the Fellowship at Nen Hithoel. In the enchanting Beech Forest nearby, we visit the location of a dramatic Uruk-hai attack. To cap off this unforgettable experience, we have the chance to recreate these iconic scenes with our impressive collection of Licensed Replica props, including limited-edition swords, daggers, axes, and helmets designed by Weta Workshop. This immersive experience brings the magic of Middle-earth to life in an unforgettable way.
We return to Queenstown once again via the Devils Staircase. If the weather is clear we can stop for a photo at the lookout and discuss some Lord of the Rings scenic locations filmed in the distance
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Travel time between locations is included on the total tour duration.
- Children under 7 years not permitted. Please book a private tour for Families with Children under 7, or look at our Half Day in Middle Earth Tour.
- Not recommended for travelers who cannot walk more than 10mins on uneven ground. There is 1 walk where people unable to step over a stepladder fence may have to wait for up to 20 mins.
Reviews(43)
Great LOTR’s day. Our guide Eby was awesome. We got to see so many filming sites. Lots of props to recreate scenes with. Such fun
Was an incredible day. It really took the stress out of getting to the locations in rural spots. If you're a huge fan I would fully recommend. I am trying to go to every filming locations possible and I couldn't have done it without these guys.
Thanks so much for the great review. We are glad we could make visiting those remote filming locations easy. Best of luck finding every location, and if you ever need another adventure, you know where to find us, we have new itineraries coming soon. Also, the secret may be out about Viggo’s toe.
It was a great experience. Our tour guide Beau has a wealth of knowledge about Lord of the Rings and about the surrounding area. Thanks Beau for a great day.
Absolutely loved everything about the trip. I was brought along because it was a gift and admittedly I don't remember too much from the movies butevery single thing was way above my expectations. Beau was our driver and he talked about both the history of the area and the lore of lord of the rings and tons of behind the scenes info and getting to look over copies of the actual scripts and weta calendar when we were on gravel was a brilliant touch . The stops were nice and nothing felt rushed with tons of info at each one. The script reading on the edge of the lake was absolutely awesome being in the exact spot with the exact scenery. I wasn't expecting the running commentary as Beau was driving but it added so much to the trip as we travelled around. Dressing up with the cloaks and really nice quality weapons was also unexpected with the sheer number of options to look at and play with. Easily and 11/10. Amazing guide, cool spots and great props and I would 100% do it again in a heartbeat. I also had to get my own ring at the end too as a keepsake
Thanks so much for this, sounds like you arrived as a reluctant traveller and left like a true member of the Fellowship. Beau will love hearing this, he’s full of tales both of Middle Earth and beyond. Stoked the scripts, props, and lakeside moments at the stunning Mavora Lakes made it special. 11 out of 10 is high praise, we’ll be ready when you return for another adventure.
A big thank you to Beau for such a fantastic day out on an adventure. The knowledge he knows his humour and banter the whole trip made it all such a great trip that everybody should do. The day was great The views spectacular and the other people on trip fun. Beau has the gift of the gab and is certainly very good and entertaining at his job. Recommend this trip whole heartily.
Love this, sounds like you truly went on an adventure worthy of Bilbo. Beau will be stoked, he never runs out of stories or banter. Stoked the Mavora Lakes views, the crew, and the pace all came together for you. Thanks for the recommendation, we’ll keep the spirit of Middle Earth alive for the next journey.
Excellent trip, well worth the long day. Bo was knowledgeable, helpful and funny. He kept the tour running smoothy, would highly recommend to any LoTR fan!
Thanks so much for the kind words. We are glad you enjoyed the Mavora Lake locations and that the long day felt worth it. Beau will love hearing he kept things running smoothly and fun. We appreciate the recommendation, and hope to see you back in Middle earth one day.
There are a few LOTR tours you can do from Queenstown, and this is the best one. So if time or funds are limited, then I recommend this one. It has the best scenery and the most recognizable locations. The Queenstown area has spectacular landscapes anyway, and combining it with the the movie locations just enhances the experience. I won't describe in detail the locations, as it is better to discover and enjoy them yourselves. The tour is taken via a comfortable minivan, and a small group (5 of us) so the transport is comfortable. The guide, Beau, was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. By the end of the tour you will be planning your next watch of the movies or reading of the books; and possibly checking on New Zealand permanent resident visa rules!
Thank you for the amazing review. We are so glad you felt this was the best LOTR tour from Queenstown, especially when time or funds are tight. The scenery around Mavora really does speak for itself, and pairing those landscapes with the most recognizable film locations makes it something special. Beau will love hearing your kind words, he is always happy to share his knowledge and enthusiasm. If we have inspired another movie marathon or even a look at New Zealand visa rules, then our work here is done, there and back again.
This must definately be the ultimate LOTR-experience in the Queenstown area, run by real LOTR-enthusiasts! In addition to being the tour where you get to do the famous head-on-a-spike-selfie, you will visit several other locations such as the Anduin, the Dead Marshes and the Mavora lake. The scenery was stunningly beautiful, and our guide Beau made the experience so awesome, with his endless knowledge about all things LOTR. At the end of the day we got to wield a wide selection of weapons, which was really the icing on the cake. Definately recommend!
Thank you so much for such an epic review. We are so glad you felt it was the ultimate LOTR experience in the Queenstown area. Mavora really does have a way of making Middle earth feel close enough to touch, and we are happy you loved visiting the Anduin, the Dead Marshes and the lake itself. Beau will appreciate the kind words, he could happily talk Tolkien lore all day. The head on a spike selfie and finishing up with a few weapons in hand is always a fine way to end the adventure, one does not simply skip that part. Thanks again for joining us and for the recommendation.
A wonderful day out to see LOTR locations! Our guide was very enthusiastic and friendly, I enjoyed this very much! Can definitely recommend it!
Thanks so much for the kind words, we are glad you had such a magical day out at Mavora Lakes exploring the LOTR locations with us. Our guide will love hearing that, enthusiasm comes naturally in a place that feels like Middle earth. We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you on another adventure soon.
Great day out seeing some beautiful places and so recognisable from the films, I was in my element. Bo was a great guide, really knew his stuff and a lovely guy to chat to. Would recommend
Thanks so much for the kind words. We’re stoked you were in your element out there, Mavora really does feel like stepping straight into Middle earth. I’ll pass this on to Beau, he’ll be glad his knowledge did not go unnoticed. Hope we see you again for another adventure soon.
