Where to See The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Filming Locations in New Zealand

Hobbiton, North Island New Zealand by nate-johnston

See the famous Lord of the Rings and Hobbit locations on your New Zealand tour.

There’s no questioning why New Zealand was chosen as the backdrop for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings films.

The rugged mountain scenery, vast lakes, and striking volcanic craters look just as extraordinary in real life as they do on the big screen! Filming locations for the movies are scattered across the North and South Island of New Zealand, so if you’re movie-mad be sure to keep your eyes peeled whilst on your next Kiwi Adventure! 

Over 150 locations were used to bring The Lord of the Rings Trilogy to the big screen. Every year visitors go to New Zealand because of the Lord of the Rings locations guide.. We will show you the Hobbit filming locations in New Zealand so you know where to visit to immerse yourself in the movie. 

New Zealand is a place of stunning natural beauty, with its majestic mountains, rolling hills, and crystal-clear waters. It’s no wonder why the filmmakers behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies chose this country as the backdrop for their epic tales. For fans of these iconic movie franchises, visiting the filming locations can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most famous Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit filming locations in New Zealand, where you can immerse yourself in the magical world of Middle-earth.

Where was LOTR and The Hobbit filmed?

Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed in New Zealand. Locations throughout the North and South Island of New Zealand were used. Some are still there for you to explore on your next holiday to NZ. Find out where to go below so you can see these filming locations for yourself. 
 

 

Hobbiton Sign IN New Zealand

The Hobbit filming locations and Lord of the Rings filming locations

Here are our top 6 Middle-Earth filming locations for you to check out when visiting New Zealand:

1. Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook

The beautiful Lake Pukaki was used as the filming location for Laketown in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and Braemar Station at Lake Pukaki was used in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The lake is a vibrant blue both on-screen and in real life, due to the glacial lakes that run into it. Our 15-day Grand Traverse and 27-day Ultimate Explorer Tours both stay overnight at this striking lake, so you’ll have plenty of time to check out the filming locations after doing some cycling or swimming.

2. Fiordland National Park

The magnificent sweeping views of the Fiordland National Park were used for a number of scenic shots in both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings films and it’s quite obvious why. Located in New Zealand’s South Island, its most famous fiords include Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound, both of which are featured on a number of our tours! You’ll get the opportunity to do activities such as sea kayaking and wildlife spotting, whilst taking in the breathtaking views surrounded by towering peaks and impressive waterfalls.

3. Lake Wanaka and Mount Aspiring

There are a number of filming locations dotted around Lake Wanaka and the surrounding Mount Aspiring National Park area. You’ll need a full day there to take in all the beautiful sights such as mountains, forests, glaciers, and lakes. Keep your eyes peeled because the White and Misty Mountain scenes were filmed in this area, and the opening scene of the first Lord of the Rings film is actually a shot of the great Mount Aspiring. Our 14-day Reverse Traverse Queenstown to Auckland Tour pays a visit to this stunning location, so you’ll be able to check out the movie locations after jet boating through the National Park.

4. Glenorchy, Queenstown

Famous for its walking trails, Glenorchy was used as the filming location for the scene during which Bilbo and The Company continue their quest after leaving Rivendell. Located just 45 minutes from Queenstown, this rural town is not one to be missed if you want to get a taste of life in Middle Earth!

5. Tongariro Crossing

This impressive volcanic landscape was used as the setting for one of the most famous Lord of the Rings filming locations – Mordor. The majority of Sam and Frodo’s magnificent journey into the land of Sauron was filmed around the Tongariro National Park. A large number of our tours spend a day here, where you’ll get the chance to do a breathtaking hike across the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Keep your eyes peeled for Mount Doom, which was based on the amazing Mt Ngauruhoe, and is one of the many gems of the Tongariro region.

6. Mount Gunn – view from Franz Josef Glacier

Mount Gunn can be viewed from the Franz Josef Glacier Valley access track, and this incredible mountain was used as the backdrop when filming the scene in which the beacons that run along the White Mountains were lit. A number of our Auckland and Christchurch tours spend a day here, and you’ll even have the option to take a helicopter flight over the glacier. This once-in-a-lifetime experience would be the perfect way to take in all the spectacular views – so keep your eye out for Mount Gunn!

7. Waikato town of Matamata

The Waikato town of Matamata is where The Shire movie set was filmed. The village of Hobbiton is located here. You can still visit Hobbiton today and see the tiny houses in the lush hills. Just two hours drive south of Auckland you can easily visit the Hobbiton Movie set. Walk around Bag End where Frodo and Bilbo’s adventures started. You can even have a drink in the Green Dragon Inn. Can you go inside The Hobbit houses? You can pear in the windows. All interior shots were filmed in the studio. 

Hobbiton, North Island New Zealand by nate-johnston

Hobbit Filming Locations

Here are five locations of the Hobbit filming locations in New Zealand and what to see there:

Hobbiton: This is the most famous filming location of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies. Here you can see the famous Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Party Tree, and many more iconic landmarks from the movies.

Mount Sunday: This remote and beautiful location was used as the filming location for Edoras, the capital city of Rohan in the movies. You can visit the site and see the remnants of the set, as well as enjoy the stunning mountain views.

Te Anau: This picturesque town in the South Island was used as the filming location for the Lake-town scenes in The Hobbit. You can take a boat ride on Lake Te Anau and see the beautiful scenery that was used in the movie.

Pelorus River: This stunning river in the Marlborough region was used as the filming location for the barrel escape scene in The Hobbit. You can take a kayak or rafting tour on the river and experience the excitement of the movie scene for yourself.

Waitomo Caves: These beautiful caves were used as the filming location for the underground scenes in The Hobbit. You can take a tour of the caves and see the beautiful glowworms that were used to create the stunning underground scenery in the movie.

Lord Of The Rings Filming Locations

Here are five locations from The Lord of the Rings film series and what you can see there:

Matamata: The Hobbiton Movie Set is located here, which was used as the filming location for The Shire in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Visitors can take a guided tour and see the hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, and other structures.

Tongariro National Park: This park was used as the filming location for Mount Doom and Mordor. Visitors can hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and see the volcanic landscapes and rugged terrain that served as the backdrop for some of the films’ most iconic scenes.

Fiordland National Park: This stunning park was used as the filming location for the Misty Mountains and the Anduin River. Visitors can take a cruise on Milford Sound to see the majestic scenery that was featured in the films.

Twizel: This town was used as the filming location for the Battle of Pelennor Fields in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Visitors can take a guided tour to see the exact location where the battle scenes were filmed.

Wellington: The capital city of New Zealand was home to the production studios for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series. Visitors can take a guided tour of the Weta Cave, where they can see props, costumes, and other behind-the-scenes items from the films.

Learn more

Fun facts about the filming locations of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in New Zealand:

  • The area where Hobbiton was filmed is actually a working sheep farm, and the set was built to be semi-permanent so that it could be used for the filming of The Hobbit trilogy as well.
  • The filming location for the Pillars of the Kings scene in The Fellowship of the Ring was actually a combination of different locations. The mountain itself was Mt. Olympus in the Southern Alps, while the foreground was filmed in the Kawarau Gorge.
  • The location for Isengard was filmed at the Dry Creek Quarry, which was also used as a filming location for several other movies, including The Last Samurai and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
  • The scene where Frodo and Sam escape from the Orcs by floating down the river was filmed at the Pelorus River in Marlborough, which is known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery.
  • The location for the Mines of Moria was filmed at the Waitomo Caves, which are famous for their glowworms. The filmmakers had to temporarily turn off the glowworms’ lights during filming to create the effect of a dark underground cavern.
Girl doing a handstand. Mt Cook Stray Tour New Zealand Credit Alisha Pruisken

See The Lord of the Rings filming locations and Hobbit filming locations on these tours.

For more indepth look at the filming of LOTR and The Hobbit you can visit The Wētā workshop in Wellington. There is a 90 minute tour you can take to a more detailed look at how the movies were made. 
 

 

In conclusion, New Zealand offers a unique opportunity for fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to experience the magic of Middle-earth firsthand by visiting the filming locations scattered across the country. From the rolling hills of Matamata to the rugged landscapes of Queenstown, each location provides a glimpse into the fantastical world created by J.R.R. Tolkien and brought to life by Peter Jackson.

In addition to being a pilgrimage for movie buffs, these locations also offer a chance to appreciate the natural beauty and diverse landscapes of New Zealand. Visitors can explore lush forests, towering mountains, and sparkling lakes while reliving iconic scenes from the films.

While there are many ways to visit these locations, guided tours provide a unique and comprehensive experience, with knowledgeable guides providing insights and behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the films.

Overall, a visit to New Zealand’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit filming locations is an unforgettable journey that combines the thrill of being on a movie set with the beauty of exploring a stunningly diverse country. 

So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to embark on an epic adventure through Middle-earth.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

x

    Main Menu