Rings Part 2 | FIT + Stories

FIT HALF DAY

PRE TOUR

• Arrive on time (usually 7:45am morning tour; 12:45pm afternoon tour)
• Make sure you:
  • Check your Runsheet on the App (REZDY)
  • Have the correct photobook and any props you want to use
  • Confirm your pick-ups with anyone else helping you
  • Confirm Wētā tour start/finish time
  • Check on traffic conditions (plan to leave early if there has been a crash/breakdown on the route)
  • Check on weather conditions (if likely to be wet take umbrellas).
• Aim to leave the office at 8:00am/1:00pm depending on your first pick up location. It can take up to 30 minutes to the City on busy days in peak hour traffic

 ON TOUR

• Rendezvous with anyone assisting with your pick-up run at the prearranged destination [usually Wellington iSite, YHA or Mt Victoria Lookout]. If you have to switch passengers around at this point, ensure you have everyone on board before commencing your tour.

For all tours welcome the Group, outline the itinerary, and go through the H & S Checklist: 

 

Health & Safety Checklist 1)     Ensure clients have appropriate footwear and weather protection. 2)     Explain the level of fitness required and offer options to sit out parts of the tour. 3)     Check to what extent clients can understand your instructions in English 4)     Taking care when entering and exiting the buses/vans 5)     Taking care not to cross the road on exiting vehicles (e.g., particularly at Alexandra Road and the Mt Victoria Lookout) 6)     Warn clients about possible hazards that will be encountered during tour. Uneven ground in many sites (loose gravel, soft dirt and mud and tree roots) 7)     Risks of going down to location sites, especially steep track at Mt Victoria (e.g., Escape off the Road, Frodo’s Tree). Danger of falling branches in high winds in particular 8)     Stay on the marked tracks 9)     Mountain bike tracks risks in Mt Victoria 10)   Explain that under New Zealand law you must wear a seatbelt, but it is the responsibility of the passenger to do so. Children under 16 are the caregiver’s responsibility. If not accompanied, it is the driver’s responsibility. 11)   Remind clients to take their bags with them, or at least tuck them under seats when not in vehicles.

NOTE: FIT tours can run in either order (i.e., Wētā Cave tour first, or after Mt Victoria locations). The order of the tour will depend on the Wētā tour booking.

STRAIGHT TO Wētā CAVE:

• If travelling straight to Wētā Cave, 1 Weka Street (e.g., for 9:00am/2:00pm), it is usually quickest to go via the Bays (15-20 minutes). Watch your timing, as it can be tight with rush hour morning traffic.
• If you get to Miramar early (before 8:45am), drive past Stone Street Studios.  Drive past (or if you have time stop for a picture with Gandalf at the Roxy Cinema) but do not allow your passengers to enter the cinema.
• You should arrive 10 minutes beforehand at Wētā Cave though, which will allow you time to get and distribute the tickets for the group. The Group can get a photo with the trolls/have an initial look around the Wētā Cave shop/mini museum.
• Advise the Group that they will also have time to look around the shop and get their photos printed after the tour. Also advise the Group that they can leave their belongings on the bus, as it will be locked. Note that the bus will be in position at the conclusion of the tour (by the Red door).
• FIT Wētā Cave-based tours take 90 minutes. Allow the Group some time to get their photos printed and to purchase merchandise. Round the Group up after 15 minutes. Make sure you do a head count to ensure you have everybody before leaving Wētā Cave.
• If you haven’t yet driven past Stone Street Studios do so before leaving Miramar for Mt Victoria.
• It usually takes 10-15 minutes to reach Mt Victoria.
• Advise the Group how long you will be down The Hill and provide an H & S reminder about the hazards walking to/from the location, especially if you have people with clear mobility issues.
• The Mt Victoria locations usually take between 30 - 45 minutes (Drop the Dunharrow location if short on time). Alternatively, if you have plenty of time (and a small/fit group) you can also visit Frodo’s Tree.
• On returning to the bus advise the Group that you are driving up to the Mt Victoria Lookout, which is a short five-minute journey.
• At the Lookout assess the weather conditions and advise that you will be stopping for five minutes or so for the view and photos. If the weather and visibility are very poor, consider just noting the location and driving on down to the city.
• After leaving the Lookout and heading down to the city, as you approach the intersection of Majoribanks Street and Kent Terrace start talking about the Embassy cinema and the LoTR World Premiere.
• Continue on through the intersection to Courtney Place, point out the Wētā Workshop Tripod film sculpture and continue to talk about the Premiere. Begin drop-offs (e.g., YHA, iSite, Bunny St, The Terrace).
• Return the bus to the Office. Ensure that the bus is at least half full of fuel. Stop at Z in Johnsonville to fill if necessary.

MT VICTORIA FIRST:

• After the final passenger pick-up [usually 8:30am; 1:30pm] (e.g., iSite/YHA) loop around to Courtney Place to talk about the Embassy cinema and the LoTR World Premiere. Point out Tripod Wētā Workshop film sculpture on cnr. of Courtney Place/Cambridge Terrace.
• Head across the intersection and up Majoribanks Street, via Palliser Road to Mt Victoria Lookout.
• At Mt Victoria assess the weather conditions and advise that you will be stopping for five minutes or so for the view and photos. If the weather and visibility are very poor, consider just noting the location and continuing on down to the locations.
• On returning to the bus advise the Group that you are driving to the Mt Victoria Lookout, which is a short five-minute journey.
• Advise the Group how long you will be down The Hill and provide another H & S reminder about the hazards walking to/from the location, especially if you have people with clear mobility issues.
• The Mt Victoria locations usually take between 30 - 45 minutes (Drop the Dunharrow location if short on time). Alternatively, if you have plenty of time (and a small/fit group) you can also visit Frodo’s Tree.
• Head to Miramar for the Wētā tour (usually at 10:30am; 3:30pm). It usually takes about 10-15 minutes to reach Miramar.
• If you have time, drive past Stone Street Studios before arriving at Wētā Cave. Drive past (or if you have time stop for a picture with Gandalf at the Roxy Cinema) but do not allow your passengers to enter the cinema.
• You should arrive 10 minutes beforehand, which will allow you time to get and distribute the tickets for the group.
• The Group can get a photo with the trolls/have an initial look around the Wētā Cave shop/mini museum. Advise the group that they will have time to look around the shop and get their photos printed after the tour.
  • FIT Wētā tours take 90 minutes. Allow the group some time to get their photos printed and to purchase merchandise. Round the Group up after 15 minutes. Make sure you do a head count to ensure you have everybody before leaving Wētā Cave.
• If you haven’t yet driven past Stone Street studios do so before leaving Miramar to return to the city via the Bays to drop off your passengers.
• Return the bus to the Office. Ensure that the bus is at least half full of fuel. Stop at Z in Johnsonville to fill if necessary.

[2] Tour Stories (Summaries: model tours) of the 'core' tour stories that should be delivered as part of your tour (as a minimum) - take the Quiz when you are ready...

Wellington, perched at the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, is a vibrant and culturally rich city that proudly serves as both the country’s capital and a hub of creativity. It’s often called the "Capital of Middle-earth" due to its central role in the production of The Lord of the Rings films. The city’s deep connection to Māori heritage is reflected in its Māori names, such as Te Whanganui-a-Tara (The Great Harbour of Tara), honoring its rich history long before it became a bustling capital. Chosen as New Zealand’s capital in 1865 for its ideal central location between the North and South Islands and its large, sheltered harbor, Wellington has grown into a city of approximately 220,000 residents, with around 440,000 people living in the wider region. Known for its blustery weather, stunning natural scenery, and active seismic landscape, it ranks as one of the most liveable cities in the world.

One of Wellington’s claims to fame is its unique involvement in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The city played an unexpected yet essential role when Peter Jackson recruited 22,000 cricket fans to create the chilling sounds of the Orc army in The Two Towers. This collaboration between local fans and filmmakers shows how Jackson engaged the Wellington community in the film-making process, bringing an authentic touch to the production. Since then, the city has become a key player on the world’s film production stage. This reputation was solidified by Peter Jackson himself, a native of nearby Pukerua Bay. Jackson’s passion for cinema transformed Wellington into a global filmmaking center, and his work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy earned a staggering 17 Academy Awards.

As we journey through Miramar, you’ll see firsthand how this suburban area has been transformed into a creative powerhouse lovingly referred to as “Wellywood.” This is where Peter Jackson and his companies—such as Wingnut Productions and Park Road Post Production—have set up shop, making it the beating heart of Wellington’s film industry. Miramar is also notable for being New Zealand’s first pest-free suburb, highlighting the community’s impressive efforts in conservation alongside their cinematic achievements. This unique blend of creativity and environmental stewardship has made Miramar a special place where the worlds of film and nature come together.

One of our first key stops is Stone Street Studios, a cornerstone of Wellington’s film industry. Built on the site of old gasworks and factories, this state-of-the-art studio complex features massive sound stages that have hosted some of the most ambitious film productions in history. The towering Stage K was custom-built for King Kong in 2005 and housed the enormous Skull Island set. The studio’s connection to The Lord of the Rings is evident in the names of its stages—Stages F and G were named after Frodo and Gandalf, symbolizing the deep bond between Peter Jackson and his Middle-earth saga. Beyond the indoor stages, Stone Street also features extensive outdoor backlots, including the massive blue-screen setup originally used to create the eerie Dead Marshes for The Two Towers. This simple, low-tech blue screen—made of shipping containers and paint—was the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere at the time and has since been repurposed for other films, including King Kong and The Hobbit trilogy. These pioneering techniques were groundbreaking and helped set new standards for the global film industry.

As we continue, we’ll pass the Roxy Cinema, a beautifully restored cinema that first opened in 1928. Originally built for silent films, the Roxy evolved over the years, transitioning to "talkies" in the early 1930s before falling into disrepair in the 1960s. In 2010, local film icons Sir Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger, and Jamie Selkirk led an ambitious restoration effort, transforming the cinema into a nostalgic yet modern venue that now celebrates Wellington’s film heritage. Today, the Roxy Cinema is more than just a movie theatre—it’s a symbol of Wellington’s enduring connection to the film industry. A bronze statue of Gandalf outside stands as a tribute to the magical world of Middle-earth that has become so intertwined with the city’s identity. Fun fact: around half of Miramar's population works in some aspect of filmmaking, from costume design to post-production!

As we turn onto Park Road, you’ll see the unassuming buildings that house the Park Road Post Production facility, another key player in Wellington’s film world. This post-production house, established by Peter Jackson in 2005, is renowned for offering world-class editing, sound design, and visual effects services. Built at a cost of over $90 million USD, it quickly gained a reputation as one of the best in the business. Park Road handles everything from blockbuster feature films to smaller television series, providing cutting-edge services that include sound mixing, digital editing, and film restoration. The facility even has a 180-seat private cinema and luxury apartments for visiting filmmakers. Inside, you’ll find memorabilia from Peter Jackson’s films, including his Academy Awards and personal treasures. Nearby, you’ll also notice the buildings of Wētā Workshop and Wētā FX, where the incredible characters and worlds of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Avatar were brought to life.

Now it’s time for a behind-the-scenes stop at Wētā Workshop, where you’ll explore the creative magic that has made Wellington famous. Wētā FX employs about 1,500 people and has won numerous Academy Awards and BAFTAs for its groundbreaking visual effects work, from Gollum to King Kong to Pandora.

We’ll then drive toward Mt Victoria, a must-see location for any Lord of the Rings fan. Here, you’ll find one of the few official Lord of the Rings location signs. This forest, with its towering Monterey Pines, was the backdrop for some of the trilogy’s most memorable scenes, including the Hobbits’ dramatic escape from the Black Riders. Surrounded by native flora like the iconic Ponga (Silver Fern) and Rimu, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into Middle-earth itself. The area is also undergoing reforestation to bring more native species back into the landscape, ensuring that this magical place remains preserved for future generations.

Let’s take a stroll through the enchanting forest and immerse ourselves in the world of Middle-earth!

Scene 1: A Shortcut to Mushrooms

This seemingly ordinary spot on Mt Victoria holds significant importance in The Lord of the Rings cinematic history, marking the very beginning of the entire trilogy’s filming on October 11, 1999. That day kicked off an epic 274-day shoot, one of the longest principal photography sessions in cinema history. It’s fitting that director Peter Jackson chose to start in his own backyard, showcasing his Kiwi roots and loyalty to the local landscape. Fans will remember the scene where Merry and Pippin, after "borrowing" vegetables from Farmer Maggot's fields, stumble upon Frodo and Sam as they embark on their journey to Rivendell. Though the actual cornfield was filmed near Hobbiton in Matamata, the forest canopy here on Mt Victoria was edited seamlessly into the scene.

Creating the eerie, fog-filled atmosphere was no easy task, as the scenes were shot during the day with the help of fog machines to hide the non-native eucalyptus trees in the background. Jackson, famous for his penchant for multiple takes, asked the stunt doubles—recruited from local gyms and martial arts clubs, since New Zealand did not have a professional stunt association to draw from at the time (it started in 2001) —to tumble down from middle of the steep hill over 20 times! The first accident of the trilogy occurred on this first day, when happened when Frodo’s stunt double veered off head-first and missed a safety mat entirely and dislocated his shoulder, exclaiming, "Ouch, I think I broke something!". Peter Jackson immediately incorporated the line into the film, a perfect example of his organic adlib filming-making capability. As in the movie Merry utters "I think I broke something" only to produce a broken carrot from behind his back. Another lighter moment was when later that day the actual hobbit actors were filming their own scene piling on top of each other from the edge of the ledge when Elijah Wood landed on the ground and emitted a large fart, with all the hobbits rolling around to bellyaching laughter. A great way to finish the first day of filming.

Dominic Monaghan (Merry) later pointed out that Jackson’s inclusion of the phrase “Shortcut to Mushrooms” was a loving nod to J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, referencing the chapter title from The Fellowship of the Ring. It highlights Jackson’s attention to detail and dedication to honoring Tolkien’s world.

Scene 2: Escape off the Road

After their fall, the hobbits mysteriously reappear about 50 meters ahead in front of a ledge—a clever editing trick known in filmmaking as “cheating” by splicing different locations together. This brings us to one of the most iconic scenes in the trilogy: the hobbits' narrow escape from the terrifying Black Rider. Fans will recall that while Merry, Pippin, and Sam are distracted by their discovery of mushrooms, Frodo’s growing connection to the One Ring allows him to sense the dark presence of the approaching Ringwraith. His sudden command, “Get off the road!” has since become legendary among fans.

The real view Frodo had during filming was less than frightening—it was of the Wellington suburb of Brooklyn. To maintain the sense of dread, the crew filmed a nearby tunnel-like spot to give a more ominous feel. The leaves blowing toward Frodo were gathered from the Wellington Botanic Garden, adding to the chilling atmosphere. Jackson’s use of the "Vertigo effect" (also known as a dolly zoom), a technique popularized by Alfred Hitchcock, helped create the scene’s growing tension.

As the Ringwraith dismounts and searches for the hobbits, Frodo is almost overtaken by the temptation to put on the Ring, but Sam pulls him back. The hobbits’ hiding spot beneath the tree roots was crafted by Wētā Workshop—a real tree trunk with fiberglass roots integrated into the environment. Fun fact: The Ringwraith costumes weren’t ready for the original shoot, so the actor’s odd positioning on the horse was an unintended, eerie effect that Jackson decided to keep!

Scene 3: Frodo’s Tree

If we have time, we can take a short walk to see Frodo’s Tree, a large Monterey Pine with a distinctive bough. This tree marks the spot where Frodo and Sam camped overnight in the film, and in the extended edition, you can hear the Elves’ ethereal singing as they make their way to the Grey Havens. Although it’s a small scene, it’s beloved by fans for its haunting beauty and connection to Tolkien’s lore. The scene adds a poignant depth to the magical world of Middle-earth, highlighting the close connection between Frodo’s journey and the timeless nature of the Elves.

Scene 4: Dunharrow

One of the boldest decisions Peter Jackson made was to film all three The Lord of the Rings movies simultaneously—an unprecedented move in cinematic history. Jackson’s vision demanded this approach, as he believed it was the only way to preserve the continuity and scope of Tolkien’s epic story. Around 70 percent of the trilogy was filmed outdoors, making use of New Zealand’s diverse landscapes, including regional and national parks as well as private farms. Wherever Jackson filmed, he was required to return each location to its natural state, ensuring that New Zealand’s beauty remained untouched.

Just nearby, a former quarry served as the set for multiple scenes throughout the trilogy, including the Encampment of Dunharrow, where the Rohirrim gather before the Battle of Pelennor Fields. With its semi-circular cliff and grassy meadow, the location perfectly matched Tolkien’s description. Large scaffolding and green screens helped create the illusion of grandeur as Théoden and Aragorn survey their army before heading to Minas Tirith. Jackson’s dedication to realism was on full display here, as he insisted on actors experiencing real wind and rain to heighten the authenticity of the scene.

Scene 5: Race to the Buckleberry Ferry

One of the final scenes filmed on Mt Victoria is the hobbits’ frantic race to the Buckleberry Ferry to escape the Black Riders. Although the scene appears to take place at night, it was actually filmed in broad daylight. A blue filter was added in post-production to give the illusion of nighttime, allowing the actors to navigate the forest more safely in their prosthetics and costumes. After 20 takes, Elijah Wood’s anxious expression may not have been solely due to the Ringwraiths—he was likely thinking about how many more takes they’d need to get it right!

Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee) struggled with these running scenes due to asthma, and his cautious nature made these moments challenging for him. Jackson, ever the joker, quipped when Astin arrived in Wellington, “Where’s my rotund hobbit? I need him back!” The crew’s playful banter didn’t stop injuries from occurring, though. Sean famously injured his foot during a river scene, and Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) broke his toe kicking a helmet during battle.

A fun technical note: the iconic shot of the Black Rider atop the hill was composed using broken tree branches to frame the figure in an A-frame formation, enhancing the eerie silhouette. When the actor playing the Ringwraith struggled to hold his breath to hide it from the cold, Jackson solved the problem ingeniously—with a snorkel duct-taped inside the costume, avoiding a costly digital fix!

Advise the group that this concludes the locations for the tour and you are now going to drive to the top of Mt Victoria for a final view of the city from the Lookout before taking the group back into the city.

As you leave the lookout and head into the city, approaching the intersection of Majoribanks Street and Kent Terrace, it's time to talk about the Embassy Theatre and the epic Lord of the Rings World Premiere.

In December 2003, Wellington hosted the world premiere of The Return of the King, the final movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. By then, LoTR had become a global sensation. While the executives at New Line Cinema initially wanted the premiere in Los Angeles, Peter Jackson, in his quiet but determined way, convinced them to host it here in Wellington. It became the largest film premiere ever held, with three city blocks covered in red carpet, the majority of the cast attending, and over 110,000 Wellingtonians lining the streets to celebrate.

Peter Jackson even pitched in some of his own money, along with the Wellington City Council, to restore the historic Embassy Theatre, which turns 100 years old in 2024. They upgraded it with a state-of-the-art screen and sound system, making it worthy of hosting such a blockbuster event. Inside the 750-seat cinema, you can sit in the very seats where stars like Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis (Gollum), and Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf) watched the premiere. There are even plaques with the cast and crew names, so you can find your favourite and sit where they sat!

One notable absence at the premiere was Sir Christopher Lee, who played Saruman. After his death scene was cut from the final film, he decided not to attend. However, he later returned for The Hobbit trilogy, though by then he and Sir Ian Holm (Bilbo) were too old to travel to New Zealand, so their scenes were filmed in London.

Since 2003, the Embassy Theatre has hosted more world premieres, including King Kong (2005), The Lovely Bones (2009), and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012).

As you continue along Courtenay Place, look out for the Wētā Workshop sculpture, Tripod. Created in 2005, this towering mechanical creature celebrates Wellington's innovative film industry. Wētā's Richard Taylor described it as a tribute to New Zealand’s "Number 8 wire" mentality—using whatever is at hand to create something extraordinary. If you look closely, you’ll see that Tripod is made from all sorts of recycled parts, including old camera reels, video game controllers, a toasted sandwich maker, and even a hairdryer!

 

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