Discover Middle-earth: A Journey through New Zealand’s Film Locations

New Zealand’s soaring mountains, temperate rainforests, and remote river valleys fueled Sir Peter Jackson’s creative spirit when crafting the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.

Journey through Middle-earth in the southern hemisphere to discover spectacular locations for some of history’s highest-grossing movies. Furthermore, don’t be surprised if your knowledgeable guides share personal stories of working on the films.

New Zealand’s North Island

Auckland

No scenes from Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit were filmed around Auckland; however, before leaving New Zealand’s largest city to head south, spend a morning at Weta Workshop Unleashed. This venue showcases the special effects magic from the Wellington-based studio that brought these trilogies to life through immersive 90-minute experiences that explore three exciting cinematic genres. Of particular interest to fans of Middle-earth is the insight into how a fantasy epic, including scripts, storyboards, and digital world-building, is created seamlessly for an exhilarating movie-making experience.

Waikato

Nestled amid the rolling pastures of the Waikato region, the Hobbiton Movie Set stands out as a prime Tolkien-inspired destination. Guided walking tours explore a leafy hillside embellished with 44 vibrant hobbit holes, which were actually dismantled following the filming of Lord of the Rings, but were subsequently rebuilt for The Hobbit. Tours conclude with a drink at the lakeside Green Dragon Inn. Additionally, special Evening Banquet and Second Breakfast experiences also await fans. If you’re driving, park near the Middle-earth-inspired i-SITE information center in Matamata, and catch Hobbiton’s complimentary bus to the site. Be sure to snap a photo with the statue of Gollum found in Matamata’s main street.

Two hours southwest of Hobbiton lies the rural district of Pio Pio, famed for Hairy Feet Waitomo. Here, the rugged scenery, particularly the craggy limestone of Denize Bluffs—as featured significantly in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey—is a highlight, complemented by stories from the owners about their experiences with Sir Peter Jackson’s film crew over an eight-month shoot.

Tongariro National Park

Among the three active volcanoes on New Zealand’s North Island is Mt Ngauruhoe, known for its portrayal of Mordor’s Mt Doom. For stunning views of the mountain’s conical profile, tackle the renowned Tongariro Alpine Crossing—a 19.4km (12-mile) trek recognized as one of the world’s best one-day hikes. Alternatively, enjoy high tea and breathtaking Mt Ngauruhoe views at the historic Chateau Tongariro Hotel.

Wellington

Continue your exploration of Middle-earth in New Zealand’s compact harborside capital. Start by visiting Weta Workshop to uncover more about the special effects behind Sir Peter’s trilogies, followed by a comprehensive tour of film locations across the city. The full-day Lord of the Rings tour includes visits to Wellington’s Mt Victoria—the Outer Shire in Lord of the Rings—and features highlights such as the Hutt Valley, which incorporates movie locations for Helm’s Deep and the Gardens of Isengard. A remarkable point of interest is Kaitoke Regional Park, where a replica elvish archway celebrates the riverside’s role as Rivendell.

Another significant Wellington film location worth exploring is the Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve, located about two hours southeast of the city on Cape Palliser. This unique landscape was used as the foreboding Dimholt Road in The Return of the King.

New Zealand’s South Island

Nelson

For Tolkien enthusiasts, Nelson offers two remarkable highlights. Local jeweler Jens Hansen designed the original One Ring for Lord of the Rings. His family business now sells replicas of the Ring, along with wedding and engagement rings inscribed with elvish calligraphy. East of Nelson, you’ll find the Pelorus River, the site of the memorable barrel-riding scene in The Desolation of Smaug, making it a fantastic destination for kayaking adventures.

Canterbury

In Canterbury, director Sir Peter Jackson transformed Mt Sunday into Edoras for The Two Towers. It’s approximately a three-hour drive west of Christchurch to Mt Sunday, situated in the Hakatere Conservation Park. The Mt Sunday Track offers a pleasant 1.5km (0.93-mile) return hike to the summit. Additionally, guided tours from Christchurch are available, providing access to the area featuring the Misty Mountains, renowned for the Helms Deep battle scene.

Additionally, south of the stunning turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki lies the Pelennor Fields, where the climactic battle in The Return of the King was filmed. The tussocky plateau can be explored as part of multi-day itineraries dedicated to Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit locations across both islands.

Southern Lakes

The breathtaking Southern Lakes region is where many scenes from both trilogies were filmed and is home to some of the country’s most experienced Tolkien-focused tour operators. Based in Queenstown, Nomad Safaris offers thrilling adventures combining off-road 4WD excursions with visits to Middle-earth locations, including the Misty Mountains and the Kawarau River, infamous for the Pillars of the Kings.

In Wanaka, Eco Wanaka Adventures provides a unique Misty Mountain Heli Hike experience, allowing visitors to gain stunning views of multiple trilogy locations from Mount Aspiring National Park. You may also find yourself cruising high above Lake Alta and Skippers Canyon as part of a helicopter tour guided by Alfie Speight, who piloted for both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

Moreover, the village of Glenorchy sits at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu and is another must-visit for Middle-earth fans. Tours exploring idyllic locations such as Paradise and Twelve Mile Delta are available, featuring sights from both trilogies, with exclusive access to a private estate where significant scenes were filmed.