As a massive Lord of the Rings fan, one of the main reasons I wanted to visit New Zealand in the first place was to see Hobbiton in real life. You’ll have to book your tour a few months in advance, but Hobbiton isn’t the only place you should explore. With the country’s natural wonders, incredible landscapes, and virtually untouched beauty, it’s no surprise that director Peter Jackson chose this country to film his original trilogy (and then a second). It’s the only place magical and surreal enough to bring justice to J.R.R. Tolkien’s incredible work.
If you love the Lord of the Rings franchise (and even if you don’t), there’s nothing quite like setting foot into Hobbiton for the first time. As Bilbo Baggins famously said:
“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
But there are plenty of other things to do and places to see (and you may stumble upon them accidentally as well). Here’s a list of places to check out in New Zealand if you love Lord of the Rings:
Hobbiton
No trip to Aotearoa for a Lord of the Rings fan is complete without a trip to the franchise’s most legendary filming set: Hobbiton. It’s one of the most magical places in the world; I have no words to describe the euphoria I felt wandering through the grounds and the hobbit holes, especially when the sun shines and the sky is clear. I recommend booking this tour far in advance, because the slots fill up quickly (i.e., essentially as soon as you know your trip dates). I’ve put together a helpful list of things to know before you go. If you’re wondering about vegan food options, I’ve got you covered there too.
Twizel
Not far from Hobbiton is the town of Twizel, near Mount Cook National Park in Mackenzie County. The actual filming location is on a privately-owned sheep farm called Ben Ohau and was used to film the Battle of Pelennor Fields in the third move of the LOTR’s original trilogy, “The Return of the King”. Because it’s privately owned, you’ll need to book a tour to see the farm and film site (through a company like Red Carpet Tours). I would also recommend booking this ahead of time.
Wētā Workshop
You may also want to head further south on the North Island to reach Wellington, where you can take a Wētā Workshop tour! This workshop is home to the creative team behind the movie franchise and many others. You can take guided tours of the workshop (starting at $57 NZD) to learn more about the film-making experience, and you can also take classes like sculpting and leatherwork. If you’re a movie buff or just curious about how movies are made, this is a great stop on your New Zealand road trip.
Mount Victoria & Victoria Park
While you’re in Wellington, you shouldn’t miss hiking to the top of Mount Victoria (locally known as “Mount Vic”) or walking through Victoria Park. Several scenes from “The Fellowship of the Ring” were filmed here (including the iconic “Get off the road!” scene), and you can hike the “Hobbit’s Hideaway” trail to get there. If you’re running short on time, there’s a fantastic lookout point where you can gaze out over Wellington and watch a few airplanes land as well. We stopped here before taking the ferry to the South Island.
Tongariro National Park + Mount Doom/Mt. Ngouruhoe
Also located on the North Island, in Tongariro National Park, Mt. Ngauruhoe, also known as Mt. Doom, is one of the franchise’s most recognizable New Zealand filming locations and an active volcano. While it isn’t illegal to climb (yet), because of its importance to the local Māori people, the government has asked people not to climb the mountain. Thankfully, you can still get great views of the mountain by driving.
There are also several other filming locations in the park, including Ohakune Mountain Road and Mount Ruapehu, Tawhai Falls, and more.
Fiordland National Park
We’ll now turn to the South Island, where your New Zealand trip isn’t complete without a cruise around Milford Sound, one of the world’s greatest national treasures. While sailing through the majestic, roaring waterfalls, gazing out between towering mountains, and exploring the rest of the park, you’ll come across a few filming locations used for the Dead Marshes, the Anduin River, and the areas that are South of Rivendell. And don’t forget to pack a jacket, whether it’s rainy or not: Fiordland is one of the wettest places on the planet. I also brought my camera with me on the cruise, which wasn’t the brightest idea, so make sure you bring protective gear for any equipment you’ve brought with you.
Kawarau Gorge
If you want to see where The Pillars of the Kings was filmed for the first movie (“The Fellowship of the Ring”), look no further than Kawarau Gorge. It’s a gorgeous spot with plenty of unique vantage points. The kings themselves are not there, but you can visualize them. You can also go bungy jumping off of the Kawarau Bridge, which gives you another fantastic view (and a unique experience). The Queenstown-area also has a few other film sites you can visit with a little research.
Paradise Valley
One of those spots is Paradise Valley near Glenorchy within Mount Aspiring National Park, where there are woodlands that were used to create Lothlórien, the realm of the Elves ruled by Galadriel. It’s one of the most photographed filming locations, as it should be. While there, you should stop at Lake Wakatipu (also used for filming the above Elven realm), where you can see the north-western slopes of Mount Earnslaw, which featured in the opening sequence of the second movie in the original trilogy, “The Two Towers”.
Mount Sunday
Rounding out this list is Mount Sunday, located in the Canterbury region of the country. You might be driving through it anyway, so it’s worth a stop! One side of the hill was the principal film site for Edoras, the main city for the people of Rohan. Though nothing of the actual film set remains, the natural beauty is next to none, just like the rest of the country.
Did I miss your favorite Lord of the Rings film site in this list? Let me know in the comments below!
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