The film trilogy of the Lord of the Rings has had a massive impact on showing the world just how beautiful New Zealand's landscapes really are. And while most of the sets created specially for the movie have long been (deliberately) removed, the spectacular scenery remains and is well etched into the memories of movie goers.
Apart from the spectacular scenery gererally of New Zealand used in the making of the film, you can also visit a number of the filming locations.
- Waikato Region - Hobbiton and The Shire - an easy drive south of Auckland
- Taupo Region - Mordor, Emyn Muil and Mount Doom - transformed from the central North Island's Volcanic Plateau
- Wellington Region - Rivendell, the Auduin River, the Gardens of Isengard, Buckland Forest, Lothlorien
- Nelson Region - Chetwood Forest, Rivendell and Dimrill Dale - most locations easiest seen by helicopter due to the remoteness of the locations
- Canterbury region - Edoras - the central alpine region contains New Zealand's largest peaks and glaciers, with correspondingly stunning scenery. No wonder it was selected as the location for alpine fortresses and fierce Middle-earth battle scenes!
- Twizel - Pelenor Fields
- Wanaka and Queenstown region - Golden Plain, Lothlorien
- The Dead Marshes - Te Anau
- Fangorn Forest - Milford Sound - on Takaro Road near Te Anau, with it's beautiful beech trees
- Misty Mountains - Southern Alps - drive through the Lindis Pass in the central South Island
Plus, these other locations used in the filming:
- In historic Queenstown and Arrowtown you can get really close to the hobbits' journey - float on a raft down the same river as Frodo, bungy jump into it or wade into the Ford of Bruinen.
- You won't regret a side trip to the stunning Lake Wanaka and the memorable drive through the golden Cardrona Valley - savour the views of the River Anduin, site of the Pillars of the Argonath and Dimrill Dale.
Waikato Region
Filming location for: Hobbiton and The Shire
Hobbits are described by Tolkien as an uncomplicated and ancient little people, shy of `Big Folk' and preferring well-ordered and well-farmed countryside. Hobbiton is the place in the Shire where the hobbits live in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit.
As seen in the movies, the Hobbits are a merry folk who love nothing better than a good party, preferably with many helpings of food. They have been known to eat at least six meals a day and always have room for more. They are no more than four feet tall and seldom wear shoes because their feet have tough leathery soles clad in thick, curling hair.
Hobbiton Tours
Being shy of Big Folk, it is unlikely you'll see any Hobbits on your visit to the Hobbiton movie set, but you'll be able to see their favourite haunts. These include the Party Tree, the remnants of the reconstructed oak tree and Bag End, the famed Hobbit Hole of Bilbo Baggins and Frodo.
There are spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges from the rolling green hills of the farm, which is a working sheep and beef unit.
The Hobbiton movie set has been returned to its natural state. However, hobbit holes and some structures from the film set are still present. Your tour guide will escort you through the ten-acre site, recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created.
Taupo Region
Filming location for: Mount Doom
In Return of the King Frodo and Sam climb up Mt Doom. You can do the same while walking the Tongariro Crossing, often described as the best one-day walk in New Zealand. It is a challenging walk taking 7-8 hours past volanoes, steaming fumaroles, jagged lava flows, the Red Crater and the Emerald Lakes.
Wellington Region
Filming location for: Rivendell, the Auduin River, the Gardens of Isengard, Buckland Forest, Dunharrow Rohirrim encampment, Helms Deep and the fortified ravine in Rohan, Minas Tirith, Lothlorien, Gladden Fields
Middle Earth Extended Tour
This tour is a full day and our most popular tour, it visits all of the filming locations for Rivendell where Frodo recovered from his knife attack; the Auduin River where Aragorn was washed ashore after the attack of the Wargs; the Gardens of Isengard, the sight of the Orcs Felling the Trees and where Gandalf rode to see Saruman; go to the Mount Victoria lookout and Hobbiton Woods where you can race the Ferry and get off the Road; Buckland Forest where the Hobbits hid from Nazgul/Black Riders and where they found the mushrooms on the Road; Dunharrow Rohirrim encampment; visit the quarry for the filming of Helms Deep and the fortified ravine in Rohan and Minas Tirith.
Visit the sites for Lothlorien (the White Bridge is there and a great photo opportunity) and Beside the Gladden Fields where Smeagol fought with Deagol. Both locations are situated at the elegant and beautiful Fernside Lodge in the Wairarapa. Our tour has exclusive access to that site and you will be served a gourmet picnic lunch at the White Bridge of Lothlorien - one of the few remaining structures used in the filming. This tour also visits the location of Bree, and the district of Miramar. Miramar is production central and the home of Peter Jackson and many of the cast and crew.
Middle Earth Half Day tour
This tour is popular with visitors to Wellington who have a time limit, and for that reason are unable to enjoy the full day journey through Wellington's filming locations. The tour runs for half a day and takes you to the filming locations for Rivendell where Frodo recovered from his knife attack; the Anduin River where Aragorn was washed ashore after the attack of the Wargs; the Gardens of Isengard, the site of the Orcs Felling the Trees and where Gandalf rode to see Saruman; go to the Mount Victoria lookout and Hobbiton Woods where you can race to the Ferry and get off the Road; Buckland Forest where the Hobbits hid from the Nazgul/Black Riders and where they found the mushrooms on the Road; Dunharrow Rohirrim encampment; visit the quarry for the filming of Helms Deep, the fortified ravine in Rohan and Minas Tirith.
Deluxe Middle Earth Tour
Extending the Middle Earth Filming Locations tour with the exhilaration of a helicopter trip over the amazing limestone formations that formed Dimholt Road (the army of the dead).
Continue your helicopter trip to a winery where you enjoy a superb lunch by the vines before another helicopter trip - this one to the filming sites for Lothlorien (the White Bridge is there and a great photo opportunity) and Beside the Gladden Fields where Seagol fought with Deagol. Both locations are situated at the elegant and beautiful Fernside Lodge in the Wairarapa. Our tour has exclusive access to that site and you will be served a gourmet picnic at the White Bridge of Lothlorien - one of the few remaining structures used in the filming.
You will travel by road and visit the filming locations for Rivendell where Frodo recovered from his knife attack; the Anduin River where Aragorn was washed ashore after the attack of the Wargs; the Gardens of Isengard, the site of the Orcs Felling the Trees and where Gandalf rode to see Saruman; go to the Mount Victoria lookout and Hobbiton Woods where you can race to the Ferry and get off the Road; Buckland Forest where the Hobbits hid from the Nazgul/Black Riders and where they found the mushrooms on the Road; Dunharrow Rohirrim encampment; visit the quarry for the filming of Helms Deep the fortified ravine in Rohan and Minas Tirith; the location of Bree.
End the day in the district of Miramar. Miramar is production central and the home of Peter Jackson and many of the cast and crew.
Nelson Region
Filming location for: Chetwood Forest, Rivendell and the Dimrill Dale exit from the Mines of Moria
Two of the most spectacular locations used in the Fellowship of the Ring were filmed in the Nelson area. And the best way to visit the rough country south of Rivendell and the Dimrill Dale exit from the Mines of Moria is by helicopter.
Lifting off from Wakefield we travel across to the Takaka Hill and our first location. Down below we will see the area used to portray the Chetwood Forest as the Ranger ‘Strider’ led the hobbits into the rough country east of Bree in an attempt to escape the Black Riders. Nearby is the world famous Harwoods Hole and we circle this before continuing to Mt Olympus.
Crossing deep valleys you'll soon arrive at the strange pinnacle rock formations that were used to portray the jagged country south of Rivendell. The rough and strange country the Fellowship travel through is epitomised at these strange rocks that literally seem to grow from the side of Mt Olympus. It was here, as the nine rested and cooked a meal, that the crebain crows of Saruman searching for news of the One Ring spied the travellers below. Hurriedly extinguishing their fire they hid behind the pinnacles in an attempt to escape discovery.
After circling the locality you'll then continue across a dramatic mountain landscape to the Dimrill Dale at Mt Owen. Distraught at the loss of Gandalf, the remaining members of the Fellowship escape the mines and throw themselves to the ground in their grief. Filming was undertaken here for ten days and the results are one of the most moving moments in the film.
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