Guided nature tours, birdwatching, photography & Cottage Accommodation in Canterbury, New Zealand.



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Lord of the Rings Tour

 Fording Deep Stream, a spring-fed tributary of the Rangitata River and one of New Zealand's most important trout and salmon breeding streams. On the way back to lunch after climbing Mt Sunday (in the background).  © Warren Jowett
 

 

In the Footsteps of the Hobbits

Duration 2 nights and one day

Walking time The return walk to the top of Mt Sunday takes approximately 60 minutes.

Walking distance 3 km

Tracks No tracks, un-marked routes over tussock and river beds.

Highlights For Lord of the Rings fans walking is the only way to visit Mt Sunday, the site of Edoras. After all, how did the Hobbits get around? Certainly not in a 4WD vehicle. As you ford the clear pure water of Deep Stream and climb the tussock-covered slopes of Mt Sunday you can imagine yourself approaching the Golden Hall and King Theoden. We pass by the area where the entrance gate to Edoras and the  burial mounds were and climb to the summit of Mt Sunday. From here you have a great vista of the surrounding mountains and  braided rivers of Mt Potts Station, a historic high country farm. The view up the Clyde River to New Zealand's Southern Alps and the Gardens of Eden and Allah icefields is breathtaking. To the south you can see the gorge of Alma Stream, the virtual location of Helm's Deep.

We travel from Staveley to Mt Potts Station through the Canterbury High Country and via Lake Clearwater in a comfortable mini-coach. Morning and afternoon teas and lunch are included, stopping by a stream or lake.

Accommodation is in historic Ross Cottage with two night's dinner bed and breakfast - candle-lit dinners in Mountain Beech Lodge completes this all-inclusive package. 

Price $425 per person. This includes two nights DB&B, all day tour including meals.