✅ What’s Included

• Pickup from central Wellington in exclusive 4WD Mercedes vans
• Private access through Terawhiti Station
• Guided beach walk at Tongue Point fur seal colony
• Information on history, ecology, conservation and Capital Kiwi project
• Light refreshments on the beach

🚫 What’s Not Included

• Hotel pickup outside central Wellington
• Personal items or additional purchases
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

Wellington’s coastal weather can change quickly year-round.
Summer (Dec–Feb) • Typical daytime: 18–24 °C • Conditions: sunny with sea breezes • Practical note: pack sunscreen and layers
Autumn (Mar–May) • Typical daytime: 15–21 °C • Conditions: mild and pleasant • Practical note: light jacket for wind
Winter (Jun–Aug) • Typical daytime: 10–16 °C • Conditions: cooler and windier • Practical note: warm layers and rain jacket
Spring (Sep–Nov) • Typical daytime: 14–20 °C • Conditions: variable with wildflowers • Practical note: comfortable walking shoes

Documents & Essentials
• Photo ID and booking confirmation
• Any personal medication

Clothing (layered for coastal conditions)
• Comfortable walking shoes for beach and short tracks
• Light layers, windproof jacket and hat
• Sunglasses and sunscreen

Toiletries & First Aid
• Personal toiletries and insect repellent
• Reusable water bottle

Electronics
• Charged phone and camera

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Small daypack
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing

Terawhiti Station is one of New Zealand’s oldest and largest working farms, offering rare private access to this secret coastline.

Tongue Point is home to a thriving colony of native New Zealand fur seals that have recovered thanks to conservation efforts.

The Capital Kiwi project has successfully reintroduced wild kiwi to the hills around Wellington after a 100-year absence.

Karori rock lighthouse is affectionately known as the “leaning lighthouse” due to its distinctive tilt.

Cook Strait views from the station include the Kaikoura Ranges and the South Island on clear days.

Inter-island ferries are clearly visible from the beach as they cross between New Zealand’s two main islands.

The area’s ecology supports a rich mix of marine life, farm animals and native birds in close proximity.

Wellington’s secret coast remains relatively unknown even to many locals, making this tour a special local secret.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Wellington Lord of the Rings Half & Full Day Tour: Weta & Filming Locations

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 145 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average local travel to/from Wellington CBD pickup points; based on full-day option)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 290 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• Half-day (4 hours) or full-day (8 hours) tour
• Small group experience
• Starts and ends with Wellington CBD hotel pickup/return
• Comfortable vehicle transport
• No accommodation included
• Meals: Full-day includes Hobbit-worthy café lunch (traditional fare with dietary options); half-day has none
• Highlights: Mt Victoria Lookout, Outer Shire filming locations, Weta Workshop guided tour, Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell), Harcourt Park (Isengard), Great River Anduin Shores, Embassy Cinema drive-by

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: Half-day (4 hours) or full-day (8 hours)
• Key locations: Wellington CBD start/end, Mt Victoria Lookout, Outer Shire scenes, Weta Workshop, Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell), Harcourt Park (Isengard), Great River Anduin Shores, Embassy Cinema
• Travel style: Relaxed small-group Lord of the Rings filming locations tour with expert guide
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Local travel to Wellington CBD pickup points is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness. Full-day used for higher-end estimate.

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for Wellington regional vehicle operations and tourism-level food purchases.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs or additional purchases).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 85 kg CO₂e

• Average local travel to/from Wellington CBD pickup points (higher-end mix of car, taxi or short transfers): 30 kg
• All on-tour comfortable vehicle transfers (shared small group): 55 kg – higher-end diesel factor with realistic low-occupancy buffer

Accommodation – 0 kg CO₂e

• Day tour only – no overnight stay

Meals & Food – 35 kg CO₂e

• Full-day: Hobbit-worthy café lunch + snacks (tourism-level portions and waste); half-day: none – higher-impact estimate

Activities & Excursions – 25 kg CO₂e

• Guided filming location visits, Weta Workshop tour, short easy walks and expert commentary

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 145 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset: 2 × 145 kg = 290 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices; our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

Where does the tour start and end?
Pickup and drop-off are in central Wellington – your guide will confirm the exact meeting point after booking.

How long is the tour?
Approximately 3.5 hours including the ferry crossing and all stops.

What wildlife will I see?
You’ll visit a colony of native New Zealand fur seals and may see farm animals on the station drive.

Is the tour suitable for all ages?
Yes – it’s an easy-paced day with short, gentle walks on the beach.

Are meals included?
Light refreshments are provided on the beach. Lunch is not included.

Do I need to bring anything special?
Comfortable walking shoes, layers for the wind and a camera for the seals and views.

Is there private access?
Yes – you travel through Terawhiti Station, which is not open to the general public.

What happens if the weather is bad?
The tour runs in most conditions, but your guide may adjust the route for safety and enjoyment.