Weta Workshops and Lord of the Rings Tours in New Zealand Every Fan Should Do

Film buffs will definitely have a blast when they visit wonderful New Zealand—thanks to a handful of Weta Workshops in Auckland and Wellington, as well as an abundance of Lord of the Rings Tours in Queenstown.

Enter a land of movie magic with Weta Workshop tours in Wellington, where you can glimpse into the creative processes behind the studio’s past projects. If the Wellington’s Weta Workshop tours leave you wanting more, head onto Auckland and check out the new Weta Workshop Unleashed! Pique your interest at this Weta Workshop in Auckland that lets you in on the studio’s world-building secrets!

For Ringers, or avid fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, tours in New Zealand are the perfect activities to spend your day on! There are plenty of Lord of the Rings tours in South Island, specifically in Queenstown, so make sure you pin that on your map.

To save you some time searching for all the Weta Workshop tours in Auckland and Wellington, and LOTR tours in New Zealand, we’ve compiled the best activities and tours:

In this There & Back Again tour around Weta Workshop in Wellington, find yourself inside the worlds of classic films like King Kong and The Chronicles of Narnia, and beloved movie series the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit! Tour around the Academy Award-winning Weta Studios, learn about their past masterpieces, and discover creative minds at work with the studio’s current projects.

With Klook, you can choose from a half-experience, which lasts for 2.5 hours and gives you a 45-minute Weta Cave Workshop Tour, or a full experience that also includes a 45-minute tour around their miniature workshop! For the ultimate adventure, we suggest you add in a 2-course meal at Karaka Cafe! 

All packages in this Weta workshop tour in Wellington are inclusive of a guided tour inside Weta Cave accompanied by a friendly guide, round trip transfer to and from central Wellington, priority seating for the Weta Workshop documentary, and access to the Weta Cave retail store where you can buy your favourite Lord of the Rings merch!

Experience a more hands-on Weta workshop in Wellington, plus get to take your masterpiece home with you! Choose from three different intro classes: Intro to SFX Make-up, Intro to Sculpting, Intro to Leather & Chainmaille.

With the trusty Weta costume crew, learn how to mix faux blood on your own and create convincing wounds from silicon gels, craft a fantastical creature to life from your own hands with modelling clay at intro to sculpting, or create your own keyring and keychain using Weta’s tried and tested leather and chainmaille crafting techniques!

All intro classes are done in small groups, so beginners can have one-on-one time with the crew. For more fun, a 45-minute Weta Cave Workshop Tour in Wellington can be added to all of the hands-on workshops!

For more Weta magic, head to Auckland’s Weta Workshop Unleashed, and step into the wonderful worlds of horror, fantasy and sci-fi—all made possible with special effects!

Weta Workshop Unleashed is a new Auckland version of the Weta Cave Workshop Tour in Wellington, and is “part film set, part creative workshop”. Gather the family and journey into Weta’s creative minds through their three original movie projects: the horror movie Fauna, the fantasy and LOTR-like Age of Ever-clan, and Origins, a sci-fi movie project! Amazing set pieces and eye-popping practical effects made by the Weta Workshop Unleashed’s crew will definitely have you leaving in awe.

This 90-minute Weta Workshop Unleashed tour in Auckland is perfect for all ages. Your kids will absolutely love the interactive gizmos and realistic giants and robots inside!

Ringers—this Lord of the Rings tour in New Zealand is for you! Travel to Hobbiton from Auckland City Centre in this Hobbiton and Hops Journey that takes you to 44 smials or hobbit holes!

Explore the magical Hobbiton film set as seen in the movies and visit Bag End, or Bilbo’s house! Relive Bilbo’s Farewell Birthday Party when you stop by the Party Tree and don’t forget to snap photos along the way. When you stop by the Green Dragon Inn, take your pick of ale, cider, or ginger beer.

Afterwards, explore the local craft brewery scene, and discover what sets this local beer apart from the others. You’ll even get a chance to sample artisan beers at Good George in Hamilton!

Get to experience a different kind of The Lord of the Rings tour in New Zealand with this Hobbiton tour that happens at night!

Wander along The Shire (who knows, you might even meet a hobbit along the way), as you recount your favourite movie scenes. This 2-acre site turns into a night wonderland illuminated by path lighting and handheld lanterns. After, join in the banquet feast at The Green Dragon dining room, inclusive of a free beer, cider, or ginger ale!

Upgrade your Lord of the Rings experience in New Zealand with a thrilling underground river adventure! After a day of exploring the majestic Hobbiton movie set, head onto Ruakuri Cave, get comfy in your rubber tube, and float down the black waters of the stunning glowworm-studded underground cave. 

This whole day tour lasts for 13 hours and includes all necessary equipment (including wetsuits) when you’re inside the cave and round-trip transfers to your Auckland hotel. If you’re coming from Rotorua, check this Rotorua-based tour!

Be transported to Middle Earth as you journey through the enchanting village of the Shire nestled in the heart of Waikato—an hour's drive from Auckland.

Hop aboard a 2-hour comfortable bus ride, and travel through 1,250 acres of verdant fields that have become iconic film locations for the beloved movie franchise. Visit different landmarks such as the Hobbit House, Hobbit Holes and The Mill, and don’t forget to enjoy a delectable meal and the exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ beverage at the Green Dragon Inn!

Explore the lovely Waikato Region and other Kiwi destinations in this Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves tour that starts in Auckland!

In this tour package, experience both Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves guided tours! Start your day by boarding from your Auckland hotel then spend the first half of the morning exploring the Waikato Farming Region. Afterwards, enjoy a light breakfast before proceeding with the Hobbiton tour. In the afternoon, explore the enchanting Waitomo Glowworm Caves and secret Kiwiana stops you will only learn in this tour!

Journey into more LOTR film locations with this Lord of the Rings Tour in Queenstown! Journey through familiar sets on a 4WD vehicle, starting at Glenorchy and ending at Lighthouse Rock. 

This exciting Lord of the Rings tour in the South Island takes you to Isengard, the Ithilien Camp, Lothlorien & Fanghorn forest, and has scenic stops so you can bask in the stunning landscape that you only saw through a screen before. Morning or afternoon tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cake, and biscuits are provided during the tour!

Be mesmerised by the breathtaking views of Glenorchy and World Heritage Site Mount Aspiring National Park in this small group Lord of the Rings tour in Queenstown.

What’s unique about this wonderful tour is you won’t only see Lord of the Rings filming locations, but also other well-known movies like X-men Origins: Wolverine, Mission Impossible: Fallout, and more! Plus, you also get to visit the iconic Glenorchy red shed. Make sure you snap a photo for the ‘gram!

An activity you shouldn’t miss out on this Lord of the Rings tour in Queenstown is the chance to relive your favourite LOTR scenes—complete with authentic costumes and replica props provided by the tour!