The places he found became the filming locations for some of The Lord of the Ring’s most iconic scenes, and they look even more spectacular in the real world. Lake Pukaki was chosen as the location for Lake-town as the glacial fed lake boats a vibrant blue colour. It is one of New Zealand’s most iconic views. Mt Cook towers above it. Mt Cook was actually used as the inspiration for Lonely Mountain which was digitally created for the film.
A little further on the outskirts of Glenorchy lies what we believe is one of New Zealands most scenic and hidden destinations, Paradise.
If thrill-seeking is not for you, there are still plenty of things to do in New Zealand. There are some incredible trails that offer breathtaking views of the New Zealand landscape.
This spot was used in both the Desolation of Smaug and in An Unexpected Journey in scenes such as the Warg Chase and the approach to Rivendell.
were used for the filming and, in the town of Matamata which was used to portray the site, the village of Hobbiton was built.
If you find a location we haven’t listed, it may be too difficult to reach or too small or insignificant for us to mention.
A visit to the Northland, with its beautiful beaches and lovely coastal towns, is a must.
You will also find a special Elven gateway that is a great photo opportunity. Although the sets were completely dismantled after filming, it’s well worth a visit to the mountain to see tremendous views of the Rangitata River and the Hakatere Conservation Park. It’s a great place to stop on a scenic drive through south. You can access it on your way towards Lake Heron or Lake Tekapo. You can live it all too, and even if you’ve never seen The Lord of the Rings, everyone who visits New Zealand falls in love with its unparalleled landscapes. With over 150 filming locations strewn across the country, it can be overwhelming when choosing where to begin your journey through Middle Earth.
The Lindis Pass will take your from Twizel across the mountains to Queenstown. This picturesque settlement was once the scene for a frantic gold rush. With more than 60 restored buildings from the 19th century, the town retains its historic character. Queenstown, an alpine resort in the Queenstown range, is thrilling and incredibly attractive. It’s the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungee, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing.
Not too far from Queenstown, about 1hrs drive, is the small town of Glenorchy. A little further on the outskirts of Glenorchy lies what we believe is one of New Zealands most scenic and hidden destinations, Paradise. This is the location of Isengard. It is the home of the white wizard. travel to Queenstown You can see it when Gandalf approaches Saruman’s tower. Other scenes filmed in and around Glenorchy include Amon Hen, Lothlorien Forest, The Misty Mountains and Ithilien! These guides have a wealth of knowledge and can help you discover the secrets and stories behind filming.
Angie is a full-time travel writer with over 30 years of travel experience. She has always had a passion to travel and, after a three-month trip around the world with her 18-year old son, she started her popular travel blog to share her adventures with a larger audience. When Angie is at home in the UK, she enjoys exploring the English countryside, visiting castles and gardens and planning her next big adventure.
She has always had a passion to travel and, after a three-month trip around the world with her 18-year old son, she started her popular travel blog to share her adventures with a larger audience.
Those with time to spare can also visit the incredible wilderness of Stewart Island before returning to the mainland and marvelling at Fiordland National Park.
This tour from Christchurch is the perfect way to explore Edoras and learn more about the movie set.
Next, you’ll drive up to Mt Victoria and after a quick stop at the lookout, your guide will drive down to the ‘Green Belt’ where you will walk through the forest to stand where the actors stood while filming.
Rivendell was filmed within Kaitoke Regional Park, and today there is a large gate in the park to represent the entrance into Rivendell. During filming some large structures were added to the woods to better represent Tolkien’s descriptions, but these were removed after filming. Sculptured out of volcanic activity and thousands of years in the making, Wai-O-Tapu is considered to be New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction.
On your drive to Wellington, we recommend to stop at the Huka Falls north of Taupo and in the Tongariro National Park. Three large volcanoes are located in the National Park, including Ruapehu which was used as the backdrop to Emyl Muin and Mordor. Frodo and Sam captured Gollum in the movies, and were then attacked by orcs. Today we’ll embark on a scenic drive through the southern alps towards Tekapo. Lake Tekapo is known for its milky turquoise water and skyscraping peaks. It also boasts huge glaciers and purple lupins.
The second phase of the tour involves an overnight farm stay at a local rural idyll – with breakfast and dinner provided. This tour allows you to explore the beautiful region and walk around an impressive site. You can also enjoy traditional Kiwi hospitality, and you will always be welcomed with a smile. For those who are avid fans of the Hobbit, there’s only one thing better than a Hobbiton movie set tour, and that’s the chance to stay near the set. A Hobbiton Farm Stay allows film lovers to not only see the set but also to stay close to the Hamilton-Waikato region’s rolling green meadows.
