The New Zealand film industry has had a big boost in the past few years thanks largely to Peter Jackson; The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies were filmed entirely in New Zealand. The country is now universally recognised as the home of Middle-earth! If you’re heading down under, here’s where you can get your fill of Tolkien-esque landscapes.
Matamata
Here’s where the Shire was brought to life. These rich farming lands proved the perfect backdrop for the village of Hobbiton, which is now a permanent attraction year-round. It’s just a couple of hours from Auckland and under an hour from Hamilton.
Twizel
Twizel’s a charming alpine town and one immortalised forever in The Lord of the Rings. Ben Ohau Station, a working high country sheep station at the foot of the Southern Alps, doubled as both the plains of Rohan as well as Pelennor battlefield. This entire region, with its snowy peaks, glimmering lakes untouched moors, is sure to dazzle.
Pelorus River
Remember that scene from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug where the dwarves go barrelling (literally) down a mighty river? That was the Pelorus River in the Marlborough Sounds, surrounded by lush forest and rolling hills. Walk along the river banks or hop in a kayak for a tour that retraces their journey.
Turoa
Ruapehu’s rocky volcanic slopes and grassy tussock stepped up as the setting for Hidden Bay, the entrance to the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Head to Turoa in the winter for some snow action – it’s a popular skifield – or get biking or hiking; the nearby Tongariro Crossing is one of the world’s best day walks.
Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook
Peaceful Lake Pukaki in the Mount Cook region doubled as Laketown in in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Marvel at its clear cerulean waters, courtesy of the glacial lakes that feed into it.
Kaitoke
Step up Kaitoke Regional Park, aka Rivendell, the imposing Elven outpost. It’s less than an hour north of capital city Wellington and is well signposted from the carpark.
Arrow River
Arrowtown is a delightful little town a stone’s throw from nearby Queenstown. At the Arrow River you’ll discover the site of the Ford of Bruinen where Arwen and Frodo fled the Ringwraiths and Arwen defeated their army.
Featured image by Sheila Thomson
