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For many, the Lord of the Rings franchise is inspirational. New Zealand’s jaw dropping backdrops, with snowcapped mountains and lush green countryside, are the perfect setting for J R R Tolkien’s Middle Earth.
The films for me, like many other visitors, highlighted the magical beauty that this country has to offer and I can genuinely say that it will not disappoint. Not only will you be transported to the lands of epic scenery, but with attractions like Hobbiton and Weta Workshop, you will be able to get a real insight into how the film was made.
But where to start on this journey that spans the length and breadth of New Zealand? Well, this list of hotspots will help you get your full Lord of the Rings fix and even if you‘re not a fan, you’ll still love what this itinerary has to offer.
North Island Lord of the Rings locations
Summary – Lord of the Rings locations in New Zealand
- Hobbiton movie set
- Lake Taupo
- Tongariro National Park
- Wellington
- Weta Workshop
- Rivendell at Kaitoke Regional Park
- Pelorus River & Dwarf Barrels Kayak
- Mount Sunday (Edoras)
- Remarkables Mountain Range
- Isengard Gardens
- Mavora
1. Discovering Middle Earth on the Hobbiton movie set tour
After flying into New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland, it’s best to start off where it all began, on the Hobbiton tour. Just under two hours away from Auckland, you’ll find the place where Frodo and Sam began their epic adventure.
Based on the Alexander family’s sheep and cattle farm near Matamata, the set was first discovered by Sir Peter Jackson’s team of location scouts, who were flying over the farm. After the set was dismantled, following the filming of the Lord of the Rings movies, it was reassembled for The Hobbit trilogy and left up permanently as an attraction.
Here you can discover 44 hobbit holes, including two fully functioning houses, that you can explore inside. After looking amongst the hobbit holes and experiencing the true magic of the movies, you will find yourself at The Green Dragon Inn, where you can enjoy a beer, ginger beer, cake or pastry.
I’d suggest leaving half a day for this. The tour starts at the Shire’s Rest Cafe which is perfect for breakfast and there’s plenty of food options for everyone.
Getting to Hobbiton
Hobbiton is centrally located on the North Island and the easiest way to get there is by hiring a car but if this isn’t an option for you, then tour buses and shuttles to Hobbiton regularly depart from Auckland, Rotorua, and Hamilton. There is also an Intercity bus which serves Matamata.
You can also book a day trip from Auckland which includes transport.
Where to stay near Hobbiton
There is plenty of accommodation in Matamata, near Hobbiton, including Buckingham Place, which is a boutique hotel that offers the Hobbiton shuttle service, and the Horse and Jockey Inn, an affordable pub-style lodging in the town centre. There are also some camping options available, like Opal Hot Springs & Holiday Park.
Many people use Rotorua and Hamilton as a base, both within an hour of Hobbiton, with even more accommodation options.
2. Lake Taupo
Between one and a half to two hours from Hobbiton (depending on which route you take), you will find yourself at the tranquil waters of Lake Taupo. What makes this lake super special is that it is overlooked by the spectacular Mount Ngauruhoe which was famously used as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies.
Here you can wander along the peaceful lakeside and dip your toes into the hot springs. There are plenty of cafes to pick from including Victoria’s Kitchen Cafe Kitchen Bar. You can also get here by InterCity bus if you don’t have a car.
Accommodation in Lake Taupo
There is a great budget-friendly chain called Haka House in many of the cities across New Zealand and Haka House Taupo is one of these.
3. Tongariro National Park
About one hour drive from Lake Taupo, you’ll find Tongariro National Park home to Mordor and Mount Doom, where you can find dramatic volcanic landscapes, along with the iconic filming location for Mordor in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom) is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers fans the surreal chance to walk the same terrain as Frodo and Sam.
Here you’ll find rugged alpine trails, steaming craters, and eerie lava fields. It’s also known as a pilgrimage site for Tolkien enthusiasts and whether you’re conquering the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or simply soaking in cinematic views, it has something for every ability.
Shuttle to Tongariro National Park from Lake Taupo
There is a one-way Shuttle from Taupo to the Ketetahi Car Park which takes about an hour and costs $60 NZD per person one-way. You can also book an alpine crossing with shuttle transfers.
4. Wellington Filming Locations
Wellington is a fantastic place to experience the Lord of the Rings legacy in New Zealand, not just because of the attractions but it’s also home to franchise creator Sir Peter Jackson.
The spectacular Mount Victoria offers panoramic views across the city. Below the viewpoint you can trek down and discover some of the filming locations from the Lord of the Rings films, including Hobbit Hideaway and Road to Ngazi.
They are quite hard to find even with Google maps, but you’ll definitely find benches along the way which contain famous quotes from the film, including Samwise Gamgee’s, “If I take one more step, it’ll be the farthest away from home I’ve ever been.”
Travel from Taupo to Wellington
The journey is long, taking about seven hours, but offers fantastic views whether you are travelling by car or taking the InterCity bus.
5. Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop was founded in 1987 and is famous for crafting props and special effects for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. It’s definitely worth a visit to discover how these films were really brought to life.
6. Discovering Rivendell at Kaitoke Regional Park
Kaitoke Regional Park is about one hour northeast of Wellington. Here you can find lush native forest, crystal-clear rivers and ancient trees mirroring Elrond’s Elven refuge.
There are scenic walking trails and the Lord of the Rings information panels. You’ll also find a replica of the Elven archway that marks the Rivendell filming location.
The easiest way is to drive but if you don’t have a car you can book a tour from one of the many Lord of the Rings location tours that leave Wellington.
Hotels in Wellington
There are many places to stay in Wellington, Haka House Wellington is nice, clean and really budget friendly. Waterloo Backpackers is cheaper but doesn’t have the same modern feel, it’s still a very pleasant stay though.
How to get from the North to the South Island
There is a ferry crossing from Wellington in the North Island to Picton in the South Island. Tickets can be booked via Direct Ferries and costs around $135-$160 NZD.
Lord of the Rings locations on the South Island of New Zealand
7. Pelorus River & Dwarf Barrels Kayak
This is your chance to experience some famous scenes from The Hobbit movies, on the same river that the barrel-riding scenes were filmed. Dwarf Barrels Kayak is a local kayak rental and tour company operating on the Pelorus River near the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve.
From here you can opt for a self-guided kayak rental, or guided kayak tour. Whether you are familiar with the films or not, it’s a fantastic way to enjoy the natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds area.
Getting to Havelock from Picton
Havelock is less than an hour from Picton and there is an InterCity bus that operates between Picton and Havelock. From the bus stop in Havelock, you can arrange a taxi to the tour departure point.
Where to stay in Havelock
The Havelock Motel and Motor Lodge is good value for money, it’s clean and conveniently located close to cafes, restaurants, and the marina.
8. Mount Sunday (Edoras)
Next is a trip to Mount Sunday (Edoras). Here you will find South Canterbury’s rolling plains which served as Rohan’s capital in the movies.
From Christchurch, Mount Sunday is about two and a half hours’ drive. There are also plenty of tours that leave from Christchurch starting at $180 NZD and range from 6-10 hours in duration.
How to get to Christchurch from Havelock
The drive to Christchurch is around five hours and there are InterCity bus links along the way if you don’t have a car. I’d recommend stopping at Kaikoura as you will pass it on the way and it’s absolutely stunning.
Hotels in Christchurch
There are plenty of options for hotels in Christchurch. The Haka House there is super clean, with friendly staff and great resources. Daffodil Motel is also a fantastic option, it’s budget friendly, super clean and family run.
9. Remarkables Mountain Range
Just 15 minutes away from Queenstown you’ll find The Remarkables Mountain Range. This dramatic landscape is one of New Zealand’s most iconic mountain ranges. It was most notably used for Mordor’s slopes and glacial ranges.
How to get to Queenstown from Christchurch
Queenstown is between six to eight hours’ drive south of Christchurch, there are flight options too, but the most economical way is by coach (InterCity, Ritchies, GreatSights), which takes about eight or nine hours.
Where to stay in Queenstown
Haka House Queenstown
10. Isengard Gardens
Just outside of the small, picturesque town of Glenorchy, you’ll find Isengard Gardens, a beautiful private garden and forest reserve. It was used as Isengard, the fortress of Saruman in the Lord of the Rings films.
Located on the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu, it offers stunning natural scenery, including crystal-clear lakes, towering mountains, and lush forests.
The gardens are open to the public, sometimes with a small entry fee or donation. It’s about 45 minutes’ drive from Queenstown and guided tours are available that combine the gardens with other nearby film locations.
There’s also a public bus (Orbus Route 6) running between Queenstown and Glenorchy.
11. Mavora Lakes/Fiordland
Mavora Lakes is a stunning area in Fiordland. Its two lakes, North and South Mavora, are surrounded by forests, mountains, and rolling grasslands.
Many scenes from The Two Towers were filmed here and it was used as the Fangorn Forest, the camp of the Rohirrim, along with Frodo, Sam & Gollum’s journey to the Emyn Muil.
Mavora Lakes are located about 43 miles (70 kilometres) southwest of Queenstown and it takes around 1.5 hours to drive there. There’s no direct public bus here, but some tour companies offer shuttle or guided trips from Queenstown.
Lord of the Rings & Middle-Earth Tours from Queenstown
It’s worth noting that guided tours leave from Queenstown visiting multiple filming locations. So, you can book a tour that incorporates all of these.
Book a Lord of the Rings guided tour
This is a guest post from Tim Jones from Wildness and Wellbeing, a podcast and blog with a focus on how the outdoors can help your mental health. Tim travelled New Zealand last year.
