Yes, you’ve binge-watched the movies. You’ve read all the books. Now, you’re probably wondering where the Lord of the Rings was filmed and currently planning your ultimate itinerary to all of the LOTR filming locations.
To save you time from scouring the internet, we’ve compiled a list of the actual Lord of the Rings’ filming locations. And great news for you, because the well-loved trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand all over the North and South Islands!
It’s time to add these places to your Lord of the Rings bucket list:
- North Island
- Matamata
- Mount Ngauruhoe and Tongariro National Park
- Wellington locations
- Putangirua Pinnacles
- South Island
- Nelson Tasman and Takaka Hill
- Mount Sunday
- Mackenzie Country
- Glenorchy
North Island
The most famous Lord of the Rings filming location lies in North Island: the Hobbiton movie set in Matamata. There are more locations around Wellington, such as Mount Victoria, used as the Hobbiton Woods.
Here is a Lord of the Rings filming locations map in North Island to help you plan out your trip:
Lord of the Rings filming locations map in North Island
1. Matamata
Start your LOTR journey at Matamata. Credits: @__breannacox
Address: 501 Buckland Road, Matamata
The Hobbiton movie set turned village is the most iconic Lord of the Rings filming location. Thanks to its secluded location and lush greenery that perfectly replicated The Shire, this 1,250-acre sheep farm was the perfect location to shoot the well-loved movie franchise,
Initially, the set was broken down after filming, just like all Lord of the Rings filming locations. However, the farm owners decided to rebuild the infrastructure when fans started to visit and go on their tours. Now, it’s a fully-functioning open-air museum of all things Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
Visit one of the many Hobbit Holes inside Hobbiton. Credits: @turc.amanda
Booking a Hobbiton movie set tour is essential for any Ringer, and you can conveniently book one with Klook! Experience 2 hours of the Shire, Middle Earth, and other familiar spots such as Hobbit House, Hobbit Holes, The Green Dragon Inn, and The Mill. Who knows, you might even find a hobbit at one of the holes!
2. Mount Ngauruhoe and Tongariro National Park
Watch out for Sauron! Credits: @harrypope from @feel.the.fernweh
Address: Tongariro National Park, Whakapapa Village, State Highway 48, Mount Ruapehu
How to get there: From Hobbiton Village in Matamata, it takes about 2.5 hours to reach Tongariro National Park.
If you plan to see the actual filming location for LOTR’s daunting Mordor, then head to Tongariro National Park. We suggest you hike on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, as it takes you past Mount Ngauruhoe or Mount Doom, as you may know it. This day hike even has a side track that takes you to the summit, so you get to feel as if you’re Frodo on the way to destroy the One Ring.
3. Wellington locations
Address: Kaitoke Regional Park, Waterworks Road, SH2, Upper Hutt
Harcourt Park, Akatarawa Road, Birchville, Upper Hutt
How to get there: From Wellington CBD, Kaitoke Regional Park is an hour drive away, while going to Harcourt Park And Hutt River takes 30 minutes.
Wellington is also another fantastic Lord of the Rings filming location. Remember when the hobbits hid under the tree roots to escape the Nazgul? That was filmed in Mount Victoria - its forested areas providing the perfect setting for the Hobbiton Woods.
While the set is no longer there except for a massive gate at the entrance, the Elven town of Rivendell was actually filmed in Kaitoke Regional Park. It’s even easier to spot the area where Frodo recovered from a knife attack during The Skirmish at Weathertop because it’s signposted at the car park.
The Anduin River is Wellington’s Hutt River, and the Gardens of Isengard is actually Harcourt Park IRL.
Beware of the giant troll! Credits: @ranamajid007
Wellington is also home to the iconic Weta Studios and Cave. If you’re a hardcore fan, you’d probably want to check out authentic LOTR props inside. Join this 4-hour There and Back Again tour of the Weta Workshop, where you’ll get a 45-minute Weta Cave Workshop Tour as well as a 45-minute Miniature Effects Tour.
See amazing artists and creative minds at work, plus get priority seating for the Weta documentary. Of course, this trip isn’t complete without an opportunity to bring home souvenirs, so better head to the Weta Cave shop to fill your basket with incredible memorabilia to take home.
Breathe life into a magical creature!
Level up your experience when you join the Weta Hands-on Workshops, which teach you intro classes to SFX make-up, sculpting, and chainmaille-making. Beginners are very much encouraged to join as no prior experience is required, and you’ll be closely monitored by the creative Weta crew. The good news is that you can take home your creation afterwards!
4. Putangirua Pinnacles
Walk along Dimholt Road to wake the army of the dead. Credits: @scotthowes
Address: Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve, Wairarapa
How to get there: It takes less than 2 hours from Wellington CBD to reach Putangirua Pinnacles.
You might recognise Putangirua Pinnacles as the place where Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas walked to wake the army of the dead in Return of the King, or the Dimholt Road leading to the Paths of the Dead. The pinnacles are as eerie-looking in real life as in the film, and we recommend visiting during rainy days to get an even spookier atmosphere.
South Island
Thanks to its snow-capped alps and majestic waterfalls, several Lord of the Rings filming locations are set in South Island.
Here is the Lord of the Rings filming location map for South Island:
Lord of the Rings filming location map for South Island
1. Nelson Tasman and Takaka Hill
How to get there: To reach Takaka Hill, drive along State Highway 60.
Been wanting to get your hands on the One Ring? Visit Nelson Tasman, home of Jens Hansen, the original blacksmith of the rings used in the production of these films. Here, you can buy copies of the iconic ring. Amazing, right?
From Nelson Tasman, continue your journey to Takaka Hill. Its peak was used as the filming site for Chetwood Forest, where Aragorn led the hobbits to escape the Black Riders from Bree.
2. Mount Sunday
Marvel at the majestic views of Mount Sunday. Credits: @planetunfold
Address: 2846 Hakatere Potts Rd, Ashburton Lakes
How to get there: 2 hours southwest from Christchurch
Another spectacular location where the Lord of the Rings was filmed is on Mount Sunday or Edoras, the main city of Rohan. Just like the other locations, the set on Mount Sunday has been dismantled. Still, its surroundings are just as picturesque as it was before. Prepare to have your breath taken away by the majestic views of the Rangitata River and the Hakatere Conservation Park.
3. Mackenzie Country
Shout your own battle cry at the Pelennor Fields in Twizel. Credits: @the.lazy.ewe
Address: 115 Ben Ohau Road, Twizel, Canterbury
How to get there: The town of Twizel is 2.5 hours away from Queenstown
If the epic Battle of the Pelennor Fields in The Return of the King had your hairs raised and hearts racing, then you should head to the town of Twizel in Mackenzie Country. Since the battle was one of the most critical events in the trilogy, filming the battle took a total of 32 days, 1,700 people, and 200 horses.
The set is on private land, but you can arrange for a tour and reenact the epic battle scene!
4. Glenorchy & Paradise
Reenact your favourite scenes at Glenorchy! Credits: @glenorchyjourneys
How to get there: Glenorchy and Paradise are 20 minutes away from each other. If you’re coming from Queenstown, it would take a one-hour drive to reach Glenorchy.
Glenorchy also packs a lot of places where the Lord of the Rings was filmed. This picturesque town is the location of the equally beautiful Isengard. Head down to Paradise, and you’ll see the beech forest used as the site for the mystical Lothlorien. Once you’re there, you’ll realise why the area is aptly named as such.
Unfortunately, these locations are also on private property, so it might be difficult to come and go. If you want to push forward, we have 2 Glenorchy tours you can join.
Challenge your companion to a duel in Paradise
On this Glenorchy Lord of the Rings Tour, you’ll journey through familiar sets on a 4WD vehicle, starting at Glenorchy and ending at Lighthouse Rock.
This exciting tour gives you access to the Lord of the Rings film locations of Isengard, Ithilien Camp, Lothlorien, and Fangorn Forest. It also provides ample stops so you can soak in the stunning views you’ve only seen on screen before. In case you feel peckish, snacks and refreshments are included in the tour.
Dress up as elves and relive Lothlorien scenes in this small group LOTR tour around Glenorchy and Paradise.
What’s different about this tour is that you’ll be taken to well-known film sets for other famed movies like X-men Origins: Wolverine, Mission Impossible: Fallout, and more. So, if you’re a fan of these films, consider this a win-win situation!
Can’t get enough of Lord of the Rings must-do activities? We also have a guide for all Weta and LOTR tours every fan should do!
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_160,h_104/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_410,h_264/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
