Wanderlust Tourism

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Wellington Rings Tours

Our Passionate Guides Team Rings

Wellington Rings Tours

 

Our Wellington to Rings Tour is our most popular product, offering two options: a Half-Day Tour and a Full-Day Tour.

We’ve been proudly guiding guests through the original Lord of the Rings filming locations since 2002.

Here you’ll find key talking points, health/safety, training videos, and extra bits of LOTR knowledge if you want to go crazy.

Please note:
We encourage every guide to make the tour their own. Timing and stop order may vary depending on the day and conditions.

 

 

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Watch video

Wellington Rings Tour Promo

 

Half-Day and Full-Day Tours

 

Let’s start by learning the difference between the Half-Day and Full-Day tours.

Not everyone will begin guiding the Full-Day Tour right away — this depends on your previous experience and where the directors would like you to focus during your initial training period.

See the table below for the key differences and similarities between the two tour

 

Half day

  • Pickups:


    Central Wellington City Hotels

  • Destnantions:

    • Mt.Victoria Lookout

    • Outer Shire Filming Location

    • Weta Workshop Tour

  • Time:

    Twice a day. (AM/PM) Typically 8:30 and 1:00pm

  • Distance:

    3.5-4hrs

Full Day

  • Pickups:

    Central Wellington City Hotels

  • Destantions:

    • Mt.Victoria Lookout

    • Outer Shire Filming Location

    • Weta Workshop Tour

    • Isengard Filming Location

    • River Anduin Filming Location
    • Rivendell Filming Location
    • Kaitoke Regional Park
    • Lunch included for you the guide and pax at Aston Norwood
  • Time:

    Once a day. Typically 8:30am

  • Duration:

    7.5-8 hrs

 

Health and Safety

 

General Safety

A safe tour ensures a positive experience for guests and guides alike.

Core Procedures

  • Check guests’ understanding of English and fitness levels.

  • Warn about site-specific hazards (gravel, inclines, slippery areas).

  • Remind guests of seatbelt laws and to keep belongings secure.

Site-Specific Safety

Mt Victoria

  • Risks: steep trails, falling branches, shared paths with cyclists.

  • Keep guests on marked tracks at all times.

  • If you see a problem on the path such as a fallen tree please use the Wellington City Council fix it form to report it. This form is linked here and is a button on the home page of the app

Rivendell

  • Watch for slippery trails and uneven ground.

  • Encourage guests to protect the environment by staying on paths.

 

 

Home Base Address: 50 Phillip Street, Johnsonville

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Watch video

Watch the Mt.Victoria training demo

 

 

 

 

 

Wellington Rings Tours

Starting the Day

 

Preparation Checklist

  • Review the manifest in the tour app (Rezdy).

  • Gather props: photo books, replica swords, maps, or costumes.

  • Confirm pick-ups and Wētā tour start/finish times.

  • Check traffic and weather; plan early departures when needed.

  • Ensure the vehicle is clean, fueled, and stocked (water, maps, first aid, umbrellas).

  • Wear appropriate attire (Hi-Viz for port tours, weather-appropriate clothing).

  • Test the microphone and sound system before departure.

 

  • If you have not received a high vis vest please ask a manager

  • There are checklists around the base to remind you what to bring on each tour

  • Prepare to be flexible as last minute bookings do pop up and can change things

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Hobbit Themed Group Lunch Rings
129 Park Road Group Tour smaller

Wellignton Rings Tours

“It’s the job that’s never started That takes longest to finish.”
— Samwise Gamgee, The Fellowship of the Ring

Here we are — the meat and potatoes of what you need to learn!

  • Click the button below to download or view a Google Doc that you can print and study for your own reference.

  • This Knowledge Base has been compiled from multiple sources — including books, the Extended Edition commentaries, film appendices, and first-hand accounts from people who worked on the films.
    You’ll soon discover that some of those individuals are now your co-workers!

  • Please note that some of this commentary is designed for use on-site at the locations, while other parts make for great filler stories to share while driving on the bus.

     

  • As you train, you’ll notice that every guide has their own distinct style.
    Make this commentary your own — add your personal spin, favorite facts, and storytelling flair.

  • If you ever have something new to contribute, please use the “Improve It” button on the Guides Home page and cite your sources.