The Lord of the Rings movies are widely regarded as one of the best movie series ever made. The series has brought in nearly $3 trillion and has brought in numerous Academy Awards as well as other awards. The trilogy was nominated for hundreds of awards and has won over 400 of them!
Many of the fans have watched the movies over and over again. People join interest groups, play games, and more. Some of the ultimate Lord of the Rings fans have even made the trek to visit the location where the series were filmed: New Zealand.
New Zealand is a breath-taking place. It has been chosen as the filming site for many incredible movies due to its majestic mountains, shimmering waters, and lush greenery. A simple internet or YouTube search will demonstrate some of the beauty and wonders found throughout the country.
If you’ve ever dreamed about visiting a far-away, magical land, you don’t have to dream any longer! While most “magical” places are fictional, the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings film locations in New Zealand are just an airline ticket away.
Even if you’re not a huge Lord of the Rings fan, New Zealand is worth the trip. New Zealand is magical, beautiful, and majestic for Hobbit fans and non-fans alike. Read below to discover everything you need to know about New Zealand Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movie sets and how to visit them.
You can visit many of the locations from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies on both the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. Here are some of the places we recommend you prioritize.
Matamata (Hobbiton)
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” The charming town of Hobbiton (as seen in The Fellowship of the Ring and An Unexpected Journey), is actually located in the farmland of Matamata, which can be found on the North Island. This place is perfect to the last detail.
The 44 hobbit holes are surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers on all sides and are perfect for hobbits and tourists alike! You can also visit the Green Dragon Inn – a real inn inspired by the Green Dragon Inn that was shown in the movies. There are also guided tours to make sure you see all the sites.
There are several other amazing things to do in Matamata. For instance, you can explore Wairere Falls, the highest waterfall on the North Island. You can also go for a swim in the Opal hot springs. Finally, there are several trails to walk or bike. Some even take you through some exotic forest.
Waitomo Caves
The Waitomo Caves were the inspiration for the Goblin-town. But, with thousands of twinkling glowworms illuminating the cave walls, it isn’t too goblin-like.
The caves are a must-see for anyone traveling there. They are also located on the North Island and are filled with Arachnocampa luminosa, which is a glow worm species found only in New Zealand. You can either walk or take a boat to explore the caves.
Twizel
Twizel is the vast plain where the company was chased by Orcs, and where the trolls’ cave was found. You probably won’t find evidence of Thorin and Company having been there, but it’s still a perfect place for hiking or boating.
Twizel is located on the South Island and is home to some gorgeous scenery. There are some epic views of mountains and beautiful lakes such as Lake Ruataniwha. You can enjoy the scenery by following one of several trails and tracks, such as the Kettlehole Track and Twizel Walkway.
The Pelorus River in Marlborough
Floating down a raging river in a creaky barrel requires a lot of skill, plus the perfect river. So, it’s no wonder why the Pelorus River in Marlborough was the ideal spot for filming the action-packed and funny scene in The Desolation of Smaug. (Although many portions of these scenes were created digitally as you can see watching the extras / special features on The Hobbit BlueRay discs – The original is nowhere near as dramatic or deep.)
Marlborough is located in the northern part of the South Island. It is famous for its winemaking and fresh seafood for a good reason.
It also has fantastic scenery including mountains, valleys, and rivers. You can observe some of the views from various trails around the area. Make sure you see Okiwi Bay before leaving.
Hakatere Conservation Park
Hakatere Conservation Park is only about two hours away from Christchurch. It is home to the sturdy kingdom of Rohan, seen in both, The Two Towers and The Return of the King. It’s also home to many rare plants and animals such as the aquatic moth, scree skink, endangered wrybill, and the upland long jaw galaxias.
The almost 60,000 hectares of rugged mountain country, large forests, and sparkling rivers and lakes will keep you busy exploring for many a day. A few of the lakes include Lake Clearwater, Lake Emily, and Mystery Lake. There are many trails to take you around the park to see the beautiful scenery.
Lake Pukaki
The misty turquoise lake where Lake-town sits in The Hobbit is actually called Lake Pukaki. It lies in Canterbury on the South Island at the base of Mount Cook–the tallest mountain in New Zealand. The lake lies at the foot of the Southern Alps and is absolutely beautiful.
The lake is incredibly blue, which is due to the glacial flour in the water. The best thing to do around the lake is to take in the incredible views. There are also places to enjoy some delicious food like salmon and ice cream. However, we don’t recommend swimming in the lake as the water is quite cold.
Tongariro National Park
While you probably won’t find any Nazgul at this amazing movie site, Tongariro National Park was a perfect choice for Mordor. You can hike or bike several trails, and depending on the time of year, you can even ski! And with desert-like plateaus and active volcanoes, you simply can’t skip this great tourist attraction!
If you’re a Lord of the Rings or Hobbit fan planning to visit New Zealand anytime soon, we hope you’ll travel to some of these amazing film sets and movie locations. If you’re not a Tolkien fan and still haven’t seen the films, check out some of the links below and you may find yourself booking a trip to New Zealand soon! (And maybe you will even watch the movies on the airplane ride over!)
NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL TIPS
NOTE: A good travel tip when visiting New Zealand is to remember it is south of the equator. Their winter is our summer and vice versa.
- The best times to visit New Zealand are usually from October to April, so plan accordingly. Also weather on the two islands is very changeable/unpredictable so pack accordingly, with light rain gear (Expect rainfall all year long), and layered clothing!
- New Zealand is an outdoorsy person’s and hiker’s paradise. Therefore, be sure to bring comfortable hiking boots and your beach gear. But don’t pack too heavy, so you can enjoy traveling all around the island(s)! I recommend stuffing an empty, smaller bag or two inside a larger bag or backpack.
- Of course, a visa, passport and good travel insurance are a must.
- You shouldn’t need any special immunizations or shots.
- Depending on where you travel, the internet may be slow and wi-fi not always easy to find (try McDonalds!).
- Restaurants and hotels are about the same price as the USA, and there are LOTS of ATMs all over New Zealand, so it shouldn’t be hard to get cash as needed.
RESOURCES FOR YOUR TRIP
Here are several more resources for your visit to various Lord of the Rings locations in New Zealand:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=RRA_eVAyH5c
http://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/the-hobbit-trilogy-filming-locations/
http://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/lord-of-the-rings/
http://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/middle-earth/ https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/lord-of-the-rings-locations/
And to see more filming locations around New Zealand on Google maps, visit:
https://maps.google.com/maps/u/0/ms?msa=0&msid=200933695282958345367.000496726c51c4034e7c1&dg=feature
Don’t Forget to Travel Safely!
We hope you have the opportunity to visit all the different Lord of the Rings filming locations in New Zealand.
However, it’s crucial not to overlook a vital aspect of your journey: travel insurance. We never plan for accidents to happen, but sadly, they happen more than we realize. We’ve been serving travelers since our founding in 1997 and have heard more tragic stories than we would have liked.
To view the best travel insurance option for you and your family, please head over here. We also offer trip cancellation insurance to protect your travel investments and deposits.
Before you travel, make sure you have a travel health insurance plan that will protect you and your loved ones. You will be able to travel with peace of mind knowing you’re covered if anything unfortunate happens.
We sincerely hope you enjoy your travels in the great country of New Zealand and beyond!
