Trails of Middle Earth — Local services in South Island

An Unforgettable Journey Through Middle-earth with Trails of Middle Earth

My recent experience with Trails of Middle Earth was nothing short of magical, and a huge part of that was thanks to our incredible guide and owner, Francesco. From the moment we met him, his passion for Tolkien's world was infectious, setting the stage for a truly immersive and unforgettable adventure. Francesco's deep knowledge of the Lord of the Rings lore, combined with his intimate understanding of the stunning Queentown's landscapes, made for a perfect pairing. He didn't just point out filming locations; he brought them to life with fascinating anecdotes, behind-the-scenes insights, and genuine enthusiasm. It felt like we were stepping directly into the movies, guided by someone who truly cared about the source material. What truly set Trails of Middle Earth apart were the incredibly creative and thoughtful touches Francesco provided. As a licensed prop owner, he offered the unique and absolutely mind-blowing opportunity to put on the One Ring and capture that iconic moment with breathtaking views as our backdrop. But here's where it went from special to extraordinary – Francesco somehow figured out a way to make us disappear in the photo while wearing the Ring! It was an unbelievably cool effect, perfectly embodying the Ring's power and creating a truly unique and unforgettable souvenir. He patiently helped everyone achieve this incredible shot, making it a highlight of the entire tour. The locations themselves were, of course, spectacular. Queenland's natural beauty perfectly mirrors the grandeur of Middle-earth, and Francesco expertly navigated us to viewpoints that took our breath away. Beyond the stunning scenery and the unbelievable disappearing Ring photo, Francesco's warm and engaging personality truly made the tour exceptional. He fostered a friendly atmosphere within the group, making everyone feel comfortable and connected. His genuine care for our experience shone through in every interaction. He was attentive to our needs, happy to answer questions, and clearly dedicated to providing a top-notch tour. If you're a Lord of the Rings fan visiting the Queenstown area, booking a tour with Trails of Middle Earth is an absolute must. And if you're lucky enough to have Francesco as your guide, you're in for a truly special treat. His passion, knowledge, and the unbelievably cool disappearing Ring photo create an experience that goes beyond a typical sightseeing tour. It's a journey into the heart of Middle-earth, guided by someone who clearly loves sharing its magic. I wholeheartedly recommend Trails of Middle Earth and extend a massive thank you to Francesco for an adventure I'll never...

If you are:

1. a LOTR fan; and
2. have never been to Queenstown/NZ

Do yourself a favour and book in a trip with these guys when you first get here.

I am a LOTR fan but not a die hard one. Still I enjoyed the fanfic, the cast sheets, the pictures of different scenes during the movie that coincided with the area we visited. We did a private tour of the Glenorchy route and thoroughly enjoyed it, from the littlest one at 8 years old to the oldest at 40+. Some of the props they provide you with are limited editions (Sauron’s hand 1/3000, shards of Anduril 1/5000). What I did find surprising was how fascinating it was that Francesco could furnish us with details about when/where different parts of certain scenes were shot and how they melded the cinematography into one seamless piece to become what we are privileged enough to see come alive on the big screen.

So I’d even say if you love and have an interest in cinematography and film making, then this is also a great trip to take.

As to our guide, Francesco, honestly he was wonderful. He kept talking the whole time during our 5.5 hour trip, telling us the Māori legend behind the formation of Lake Wakatipu, patiently answering the million and one questions our boys had, stopping at different scenic parts of the drive so we could take pictures. Any and every question we had, he would answer. We learned about how Queenstown coped with Covid and the lockdowns, whether Ferberger is really worth all the fuss, and even got ideas on hiking trails and different destinations to travel to next.

That’s why my advice is, if you’re keen to do this tour, for one thing do it. And for another, do it when you first arrive as you will get so much information on the county and its surrounding areas that you really don’t need to go on another.

Thanks guys! It...

Best birthday gift to myself ever 🙂 I splurged on both the full day tour and the mavora lakes tour. It was such a rush to recognize certain scenes, in particular during the mavora lakes tour - the locations for the Anduin River and the orc mound/Fangorn Forest felt as though nothing had changed in 25 years!

Annie was my tour guide during the morning half of the all day tour and was an absolute gem! Not only did she share a breadth of LOTRs knowledge and nerdom but also local New Zealand history and lore, which only added to the overall experience. I loved getting to peruse the screenplays and would go back just to look through them again 🤩 The weta crew calendar as well! The notes and jokes throughout felt like getting to peak behind the curtain, furthering my insight into the hard work and process of making middle earth and its characters come to life.

Shane was my incredibly knowledgeable tour guide during the mavora lakes tour - we had communicated back and forth a bit before the tour and he was extremely accommodating and polite. I loved listening to him talk lord of the rings lore and New Zealand mythology. Plus, the timing and organization of such a long day is impressive. I would 100% join again!

Whether Tolkien obsessed or unsure who that is, Trails of Middle Earth is a fabulous way to visit the many wondrous areas of the South Island and our imagined middle earth. Thank you for...