Top Lord of the Rings locations
Want to have an adventure like Frodo’s and Aragorn’s? Here’s a round-up of destinations within New Zealand that’ll satisfy the movie buff and Tolkien fan in you.
Thanks to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, audiences were introduced to the natural beauty and spectacular scenery of New Zealand. It has since inspired countless travellers to retrace the characters’ footsteps and set off on an adventure of their own.
If you’re planning to do the same, there are a number of tours which can help you reach some of the films’ locations. Got a particular setting from the movies in mind? Here are some regions and areas to consider, so you can finally imagine your favourite scenes coming to life.
North Island
Matamata became the site of the Shire. Hobbiton was rebuilt for the filming of The Hobbit trilogy, and will now remain as a permanent attraction. Daily tours are available; you can take a look at Bag End, where Frodo and Bilbo’s quests began, plus the hobbit holes and Green Dragon Inn.
Taupo Region is the location for Mordor, Emyn Muil and Mount Doom. In Return of the King, Frodo and Sam climbed Mount Doom, and you can do the same if you brave the Tongariro crossing – a challenging one-day trek that’ll take you past active volcanoes and lakes.
Wellington The hub for the production was named “the coolest little capital in the world” by Lonely Planet. The most accessible filming location is Mount Victoria; its forested areas “became” Hobbiton Woods. Other Wellington locations include the Hutt River (River Anduin), Harcourt Park (Gardens of Isengard), Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell), Waitarere Forest (Osgiliath Wood), and Putangirua Pinnacles (Paths of the Dead).
South Island
Nelson is known for its national parks, beaches, lakes, vineyards, cafes, shopping and art. Takaka Hill was the location for Chetwood Forest, and can be found at the entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. Mount Owen at the southern end of neighbouring Kahurangi National Park served as the setting for Dimrill Dale.
Canterbury features New Zealand’s largest peaks and glaciers – the perfect location for alpine fortresses and battle scenes. Visit Mount Sunday (Edoras), a rocky outcrop on the Canterbury plains next to the Southern Alps (shown as the Misty Mountains).
Glenorchy The village provides a view of Mount Earnslaw, which you’ll remember from the first few scenes of The Two Towers. Also check out Parth Galen (where the breaking of the Fellowship of the Ring took place) and parts of Lothlorien (the forest realm of the Elves).
Wanaka The film location for the River Anduin, the Golden Plains, Lothlorien, Pillars of the Argonath and Dimrill Dale, Wanaka is a resort town in New Zealand’s southern lakes region.
Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and the base for several of The Two Towers locations, including the River Anduin and Fangorn Forest. Tip: If you are driving, you can get approximate GPS coordinates for the New Zealand conservation areas used in the trilogy here.
