Lord of the Rings filmed

 

Lord of the Rings filmed

Mangaotaki Rocks, Waikato

 

Ever since the first The Lord of the Rings movie was released in 2001, New Zealand has been known as the 'Home of Middle‑earth'.

 

Middle‑earth may have been a figment of author J.R.R Tolkien's imagination

but New Zealand - the youngest country on earth - bears an uncanny resemblance.

 

New Zealand’s dramatic scenery - golden plains, towering mountains and enchanting valleys - plays the mythical world of Middle‑earth on the big screen in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogy. More than 150 locations throughout the country were used to film The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogy.

 

The landscapes of Middle‑earth came alive after they were featured in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy from 2001-2003. Over 150 real New Zealand locations were used from the rolling green hills of Matamata in the North Island; Hobbiton, to Queenstown’s snowy jagged mountain peaks; the Remarkables, featured as The Dimrill Dale.

 

New Zealand's mountain ranges, wild rivers and grassy fields provided the perfect setting for the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Here is where you can find Middle‑earth™ for yourself.

Whether or not you're a Tolkein fan, you'll find it almost impossible not to compare New Zealand to Middle‑earth™.

 

Where was Lord of the Rings filmed?

The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand. Filming locations spanned more than 150 locations in both the North and the South Islands. From the towering Mount Doom in Mordor, to the dreamy Hobbiton in the Shire, New Zealand's otherworldly landscapes brought the movies to life.

 

Lord of the Rings locations in the North Island

One of the most popular film locations in New Zealand is found in Matamata.

The Shire and Hobbiton Movie Set

The lush dairy farming landscape around the Waikato town of Matamata was used to portray the peaceful Shire region of Middle‑earth™. The village of Hobbiton

It was later rebuilt for the filming of The Hobbit Trilogy and is now a permanent attraction.

See glorious 360-degree images of Hobbiton here.

Lord of the Rings Filming Locations, Waikato

By Sara Orme

Hobbiton Movie Set

Mount Ngauruhoe: Mount Doom

In New Zealand, Mount Doom is more commonly known as Mount Ngauruhoe, found in Tongariro National Park. You can get a good look at Mordor and Mount Doom while tackling the full-day Tongariro Crossing. This is considered one of the best day walks in New Zealand.

the climb up to red crater looking back to Mt Ngauruhoe

Wellington: Gardens of Isengard, the River Anduin, Rivendell, Osgiliath Wood, Paths of the Dead

The most accessible filming location in Wellington

Other Wellington locations include the Hutt River between Moonshine and Tōtara Park, which played the part of the River Anduin; and Harcourt Park, which was transformed into the Gardens of Isengard.

Wellington’s Kaitoke Regional Park

From Wellington, you can drive up the west coast to Queen Elizabeth Park near Paraparaumu, which was used for filming the Nazgul and mumakil in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Further up the coast is Waitarere Forest (Osgiliath Wood), where Frodo, Sam and Gollum walked after leaving Faramir.

A drive over the hills to the Wairarapa region will take you to the eerie Putangirua Pinnacles, where Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli sought the Paths of the Dead.

Wellington is also home to Weta Workshop

Kaitoke Regional Park, Wellington

By JuergenSchulte

The park has an enchanting quality captured perfectly in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

 

Locations in the South Island

The sheer drama of the South Island's mountain ranges and wilderness areas means there are dozens of filming locations to visit that are stunning in their own right - even non-movie buffs will enjoy these.

Nelson Tasman: Home of the 'One Ring', Chetwood Forest and Dimrill Dale

Nelson Tasman

From Nelson drive west over Takaka Hill, which was the filming site for Chetwood Forest. Here the Ranger 'Strider' led the hobbits into the rough country east of Bree in an attempt to escape the Black Riders.

You'll need to catch a helicopter to see where the fellowship hid from Saruman's black crows. Ask the pilot to show you Dimrill Dale - Mount Olympus and Mount Owen. From the air, you'll get an eagle's view of the region's three national parks - Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi

Nelson Lakes National Park, Nelson Tasman

By Active Adventures New Zealand

Angelus Lakes, Nelson Lakes National Park

Canterbury: Edoras

Nestled in the Ashburton District's high country sits Mount Sunday - a sheer-sided hill that was the set for Edoras, the main city of the Rohan people.

Nothing remains of this set, which took nine months to build, however the location still has powerful magic. You can park your vehicle on Hakatere Potts Road and walk to the site. Nearby, Mount Potts Station offers accommodation and a restaurant.

Mount Sunday (Edoras), Christchurch - Canterbury

By PhillipC

Mount Sunday was the location for Edoras in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Mackenzie Country: Pelennor Fields

Near Twizel in the Mackenzie Country, Peter Jackson filmed the epic battle of the Pelennor Fields, where thousands of orcs bred by Sauron clashed with the men of Gondor and Rohan. The grassy fields that stretch to the foothills of the mountains look exactly as described in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The location is on private land, however you can arrange a tour in the town of Twizel

Pelennor Fields, Christchurch - Canterbury

By Oisín Duke

Near Twizel the epic battle of the Pelennor Fields was filmed, where thousands of orcs bred by Sauron clashed with the men of Gondor and Rohan.

Southern Lakes: Ford of Bruinen, Gandalf’s ride, Isengard and Lothlorien

From the village of Glenorchy

Another memorable location can be found near Queenstown at Arrowtown where you can walk to the Ford of Bruinen on the Arrow River; you can also walk to Wilcox Green, where the Gladden Fields scenes were filmed.

From Chard Farm winery you can see a spectacular view of the Anduin and Argonath (Pillar of Kings). The Pillars were computer-generated in the studio.

Drive over the Crown Range Road and you’ll find yourself in the Cardrona Valley. From here you can drive to the summit of the Crown Range for a panoramic view of Middle‑earth™. To the left are the River Anduin and the Pillars of the Argonath. In the hills straight ahead is the Dimrill Dale. In the distance is Amon Hen on the shore of Nen Hithoel.

Mount Aspiring National Park, Wanaka

By Gilbert van Reenen

An inspiring Lord of the Rings Trilogy valley in the Mount Aspiring National Park.

Fiordland: River Anduin, Fangorn Forest

The Waiau River between Te Anau and Manapouri represented the River Anduin as the Fellowship paddled south from Lothlórien. The surrounding high peaks were used to depict the rough country south of Rivendell.

To discover Fangorn Forest, ask for directions to Takaro Road, which is near Te Anau. Both sides of the road were filmed as Fangorn Forest; remote cameras were strung from high wires to film the hobbits moving through the trees.

 

The Remarkables are the impressive mountain ranges which surround Queenstown.