Welcome to Wanaka, New Zealand - Centre of Middle Earth.

We offer the total Lord of the Rings experience for Tolkien fans, staying in our unique themed room "Barlimans".

Become a hobbit and experience “Barlimans” with its oversized furniture and our special "hobbit menu".

Then experience New Zealand’s most comprehensive Lord of the Rings Tour featuring 20 film locations in the one day.

Centre of Middle Earth

Day 1 Arrive Wanaka

• Arrive Wanaka by car or transfers available from Wanaka or Queenstown Airport.
• Check in to the Lodge's special themed room – ‘Barlimans.’
• Enjoy the ambience of the lodge and its Party tree.
• Dinner is at your leisure at one of the many eateries in the town.

Day 2 Wanaka

• Early breakfast in your room.
• Second breakfast in the lodge.
• Experience the braided and ever-changing Matukituki River. Fed by glaciers and surrounded by the peaks of Mount Aspiring national Park, the Matukituki river is one of New Zealand's most powerful and pristine jet boating rivers.
  
  Wanaka River Journeys travel this fast flowing river through Lord of the Rings locations, watched over by Avalanche Glacier and Tititea (Mount Aspiring). Along the way, your guide will share with you stories of the past, of how these ancient lands were carved by ice and of the first people to come here.
  
  Depart from the lodge by shuttle and embark on the first leg of your trip, a 20 minute drive around the shores of Lake Wanaka to the Matukituki River.
  
  The jet boat base is beneath the West Wanaka Bridge at the entrance to a spectacular gorge. Here you will meet your guide and board the jet boat for a safety briefing before beginning your River Journey. First you will head downstream to Lake Wanaka for spectacular views including Mou Tapu Island before re-entering the Matukituki River to jet boat upstream toward Mount Aspiring National Park, part of Te Wahipounamu, Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area.
  
  Shallow water jet boating at its best, your highly skilled driver will enable you to experience the exhilaration of speed in just centimeters of water and spinning turns in deep pools. During several photo stops you will learn of the early pioneers and hear stories of the natural forces that created this amazing landscape.
  
  At the top of the River disembark the jet boat for a 40 min wilderness walk through native forest alongside a mountain stream to a waterfall.
  
• Afternoon at leisure . We suggest a visit to Puzzling World, visit their illusion room - feel the size of a hobbit! You could also visit the Fighter Pilots Museum whose curator is Ian Brodie who wrote the Lord of the Rings Location guide books.

Day 3 Wanaka - Trails of Middle Earth - Queenstown

Drive over the spectacular Crown Range Pass through Cardrona and down into the Gibbston Valley, an area famous for its Pinot Noir. Continue via Lake Hayes to Queenstown. During the day we will whisk you away for a total Middle-earth experience.

As one of the first LOTR companies in New Zealand, we have amassed a wonderful selection of locations, site and scenes to bring the fantasy movies to life. No other tour can offer you what you will find on this tour.

Some tour highlights:-

• Some of the finest scenery in the world
• NZ$15,000 worth of weapons and costume items for you to handle and photograph.
• A marvelous lunch served in a restaurant with views over the stunning Remarkables range.
• View and handle some "top secret" items from the making of the movies.
• Entertaining and knowledgeable guides who have a passion for the books and movies and can discuss as much detail as you like
• Traveling in small groups for a personal and interactive experience
• A full commentary on the areas traveled through as well as all the LOTR gossip and stories you want to hear

Take that one small step on a great adventure and let your fantasies take flight as you experience the reality of Middle-earth here in Godzone - God's own.
Later this afternoon you will be dropped off at your accommodation in Queenstown (Minaret Lodge can assist with accommodation in Queenstown if required).

Cost per person
Nov 10 - Mar 11:
$999 per person share double/twin room
$400 single room supplement

Cost Includes: 2 nights accommodation in Barlimans room at Minaret Lodge, early breakfasts and second breakfasts daily, canapés daily, half day Wanaka River Journeys Tour, full day Trails of Middle Earth tour with lunch from Wanaka to Queenstown.

For those of you who would love to have a much longer LOTR experience, check out this link.

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