Complete: Esplora la Terra di Mezzo

Arrival at Auckland. The 'City of Sails' is not the state capital (which is Wellington instead), but with around one million inhabitants, of which at least two hundred thousand are of Polynesian origin, it contains one third of the entire New Zealand population. It is the largest city in New Zealand, located on the North Island.
The city is known for its spectacular landscapes, with dormant volcanoes, breathtaking beaches and natural parks. Auckland is also an important urban and cultural centre, with a vibrant arts scene, fine restaurants and a variety of outdoor activities. The Sky Tower, an iconic 328-metre-high structure, dominates the cityscape and offers panoramic views of the city and beyond.

Pick up your hire car at Auckland.
Approximate driving time 4.5 hours, 300 km.
Waitomo is famous for its glowworm caves. The Waitomo Caves are a major attraction, where visitors can take boat tours through an underground maze illuminated by glowworms that emit a blue-green light. It is a unique and captivating experience.

Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills. Rotorua is renowned for its geothermal and cultural activities. It offers a unique landscape of hot springs, spectacular geysers, and bubbling mud pools.
In addition to its geothermal wonders, Rotorua is a Māori cultural hub, offering authentic experiences at places like Te Puia Thermal Reserve. A must-see is a Māori cultural performance, followed by a traditional Hangi dinner in the evening.

Approximately 4 hours - 220 km.
On the way to Tongariro National Park you can visit Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland or Waimangu Volcanic Valley. On clear days Lake Taupo enchants with a spectacular view over the surrounding volcanoes.
You then enter Mordor, the Land of Shadow, dominated by three imposing volcanoes: it is no surprise that the region was chosen as the setting for Mordor. Do you recognise Mount Doom (Mt Ngauruhoe)? The "city of sails" is not the capital of the country (which is Wellington instead), but with about one million inhabitants, of which at least two hundred thousand are of Polynesian origin, it gathers a third of the entire New Zealand population. The city center is located on an 11 km isthmus that separates two bays, Waitemata and Manukau, and is a true paradise for sailors. In the spectacular Hauraki Gulf, where the last edition of the America's Cup was held in 2000, there are more than fifty islands with inactive volcanoes, beaches, sea caves, vineyards, and wildlife refuges. Beyond the historic center, the city is vast, with one or two-story wooden houses surrounded by large gardens. A dense subtropical forest covers the hills, which are actually extinct volcano cones.

Free day. Explore Mordor on one of the many walks, longer or shorter, starting from the village of Whakapapa. If your level of fitness and the weather conditions allow, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is recommended: an 8-hour route through the lunar landscape of the volcanoes, considered one of the finest day treks in the world. For an easier option, you can also choose a scenic flight.

Approximately 4 hours, 230 km.
Along the way there is the chance to go rafting in the Rangitikei gorges, which lead to the location of the River Anduin. Afterwards you can visit the Waitarere Forest, where the scenes of Trollshaw Forest and Osgiliath Wood were filmed.
The Kapiti Coast is a coastal area of New Zealand characterised by long sandy beaches, forests and nature reserves. It offers open sea views, small picturesque villages and abundant wildlife, ideal for walking, birdwatching and relaxing along the shore.

Approximately 1 hour, 50 km.
The Otaki Gorge is worth a stop: this is where the scenes of Leaving the Shire and Lothlorien were filmed, while parts of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields are located near Paraparaumu. Afterwards you arrive in Wellington.
Wellington è la capitale della Nuova Zelanda. La città si trova su una serie di colline che guardano il porto che è uno dei più grandi e attivi del paese. Conosciuta come la "Città del Vento", grazie ai forti venti che soffiano attraverso il porto. Questi venti hanno portato alla creazione di molte attrazioni turistiche uniche, tra cui il Wellington Cable Car, che offre un modo panoramico per esplorare la città, e il centro di surf a vento adiacente alla spiaggia di Lyall Bay. É inoltre centro di trasporto per i viaggiatori che si spostano tra l'Isola del Nord e l'Isola del Sud.

Free day. We recommend the visit/excursion.

1.5 hours (110 km) + 3.5-hour ferry crossing
Board the ferry at Wellington, crossing the picturesque Marlborough Sound. On arrival in Picton you then continue along the Queen Charlotte Drive to Nelson. Nelson è una città sulla costa settentrionale dell'Isola del Sud conosciuta per il suo clima soleggiato, è situata tra le colline e la costa del Tasman Bay. É anche un punto di partenza ideale per esplorare la regione vinicola circostante e il Parco Nazionale Abel Tasman.

Free day. Home to three National Parks, Nelson offers many opportunities for Tolkien enthusiasts. Takaka Hill, about an hour's drive from Nelson, was used as the setting for the Chetwood Forest in The Lord of the Rings and for the Trollshaws in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Many locations in Kahurangi National Park, including Rivendell, the hills of Eregion and Dimrill Dale, are accessible only by helicopter from Motueka or Nelson. If you have more time, an additional stay in Collingwood is recommended, ideal for exploring the variety of landscapes and the more remote areas of the region.

4.5 hours, 275 km.
The route along the winding Buller Gorge leads to the wild West Coast. A detour to Westport allows you to visit a seal colony at Cape Foulwind. The Paparoa Ranges, which form the backdrop to Punakaiki, were used for the famous barrel sequence during the escape from King Thranduil. The Pororari River Track, near Punakaiki, follows a spectacular limestone gorge with large boulders set in deep pools, lush forest and striking views of the sheer cliffs.
Punakaiki is the gateway to the scenic sedimentary formations of Paparoa National Park, located on one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in New Zealand. Here you can find the famous Pancake Rocks, rocks that resemble stacks of pancakes, formed approximately 30 million years ago as a result of the uplift of the seabed following earthquakes. The sea, wind, and rain have done the rest, carving out the softer parts of the rock. When the sea is rough, the spectacle is at its peak, with huge bursts of water coming out of the caves.

4 hours, 225 km
Greymouth and Hokitika are the country's main centres for jade working. You can visit a workshop and watch the craftsmen carving jade. In Westland National Park, glaciers, rainforest and coast lie close together, and the many shades of green of the dense vegetation are particularly striking. Visit Okarito on the coast, with the chance of a kayak excursion on the peaceful lagoon. From Fox Glacier and Franz Josef, helicopter flights with a landing on the glacier are available.
The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are among the most interesting natural phenomena in New Zealand. It is the only place in the world, at this latitude, where glaciers come so close to the sea, real rivers of ice that flow downstream at an impressive speed, about one meter per day, with maximum peaks of five.

4.5 hours, 285 km.
After a stop at the Ship Creek Walk and a detour to Monro Beach, the route leaves the West Coast and heads inland. The Haast Pass offers a scenic drive with many opportunities to stop and explore. Arrival in Wanaka, the film location where the Misty Mountains scenes were shot.
Wanaka is another beautiful holiday destination, less exploited by tourism, on the shores of the spectacular Lake Wanaka. It is the gateway to the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski slopes. The Mount Aspiring National Park, a mountain that has been compared to the Matterhorn for its pyramidal shape, offers beautiful alpine views and unique flora and fauna. The town is full of cafes and local craft shops.

1.5 hours, 70 km.
Queenstown is an unmissable stop for Lord of the Rings enthusiasts. The whole area was used as a film set, including the Glenorchy area and the surrounding mountains. Half-day or full-day tours by 4WD or minibus to various locations are available, as well as helicopter excursions to reach the more remote sites. Not to be missed is a visit to the historic mining town of Arrowtown, used as the setting for the Ford of Bruinen.
Queenstown is the home of extreme sports: bungee jumping was born here, and thrilling tours along rivers on high-speed boats are organized here. You will find countless opportunities for rafting, paragliding, and any other sport, including less demanding ones like trekking, mountain biking, and skiing. The landscape is enchanting, nestled in a valley and overlooking the eponymous lake. Queenstown is the most cosmopolitan city in the South, with restaurants, shops, and pubs open until late at night.

A free day to explore everything Queenstown has to offer. You can devote yourself to relaxation and wellbeing in one of the spa centres, or simply enjoy the pure mountain air. For adrenaline lovers, the resort – considered the adventure capital of the world – offers many thrilling activities, including white-water rafting, ziplining, paragliding and skydiving.

Suggested activity: Safari of the Scenes (half-day or full-day tour), tours dedicated to The Lord of the Rings. The tours allow you to immerse yourself in the landscapes made famous by the films, discovering the extraordinary natural beauty of this area in complete comfort and safety, accompanied by an expert local guide who provides insights into the many film projects made in the area.

Suggested activity: Middle Earth Queenstown helicopter flight (45 minutes). A scenic flight combining the best of Queenstown and Middle-earth. Take off from Queenstown airport and fly over the Remarkables towards Lake Alta and Dimrill Dale, continuing above the Wakatipu basin and Skippers Canyon, before landing above the Shotover River, known as the Ford of Bruinen. The return flight passes over the Ben Lomond Saddle, with splendid views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, before flying over Deer Park Heights.

Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills.

Admiring the wooded hills and imposing peaks from the Te Anau lakefront takes as much time as you wish to give it. Among the various options, a cruise on Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound is highly recommended. The Waiau River, between Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri, was used, among other things, as the River Anduin. A special helicopter tour from Te Anau can take you to more remote film locations. The remote Mavora Lakes (65 km from Te Anau) provided the backdrop for Amon Hen, Nen Hithoel and the River Silverlode.

5.5 hours, 360 km.
The route follows the Kawarau River, the filming location of the Pillars of the Kings. The immensity of Central Otago and the road across the Lindis Pass offer spectacular landscapes. A detour to the Clay Cliffs, near Omarama, is certainly worth the visit. Today's destination is the Mackenzie Basin, lying at the foot of the Southern Alps. Twizel è circondata da paesaggi mozzafiato, tra cui montagne, laghi e fiumi. È una base ideale per esplorare il Parco Nazionale del Monte Cook.

Free day.

4.5 hours, 315 km.
The route follows the turquoise Lake Tekapo, entering Tolkien's Rohan, the land of the Horse Lords. The striking Rakaia River offers the opportunity for a jet boat tour among the mountains, before continuing across the broad Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. A fertile and vast plain is flanked by the beautiful chain of the Southern Alps. Here stands the main city of the South Island, Christchurch, "Garden City", built with local volcanic stone in a neo-Gothic style, which gives it a distinct English imprint.

You can join a guided tour to Mt Potts Station, one of the most elaborate sets of the trilogy: Edoras and Meduseld, King Théoden's hall, took eleven months to build on the summit of Mt Sunday.
If you would like to watch whales, you can head north to Kaikoura, or visit Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula, a picturesque village with an unmistakable French charm. You can take a boat trip in Akaroa harbour and swim with dolphins.

Suggested activity: Ring Edoras Tour (departure 9:00 am, 8.5 hours) Join the Lord of the Rings tour and reach the remote and beautiful Mt Potts high country station, home of Mt Sunday, and discover how this quiet mountain was transformed into Edoras, the capital of the people of Rohan in the film trilogy. Immerse yourself in the unspoilt natural beauty of this breathtaking area, among crystal-clear lakes, sparkling rivers and fresh mountain air. The day includes 4WD access to Mt Sunday/Edoras, a delicious picnic with champagne, full commentary from expert local guides and spectacular landscapes that will stay with you.

Drop-off of the hire car at l'aeroporto di Christchurch. End of services.