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For any fan of Lord of the Rings, New Zealand has to be the dream travel location – it is quite literally Middle-earth. As a huge fan, it was one of the main reasons I wanted to visit the country, and it undoubtedly shaped my travel there. This post covers all of the Lord of the Rings filming locations that any fan needs to visit, to help you plan your New Zealand itinerary.
The locations have been split into North Island and South Island Lord of the Rings filming locations to help you navigate your way around Middle-earth!
North Island Lord of the Rings Filming Locations
Matamata – Hobbiton
The ultimate Lord of the Rings filming location for fans – the Hobbiton film set. It was created for the films on a sheep farm in Matamata and was removed after filming wrapped for the trilogy. The set was then fully rebuilt for the 2009 filming of The Hobbit. After filming wrapped, the set remained open and has been a tourist attraction since. For any Lord of the Rings fan, visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour in Matamata is a must-see.
Even if you aren’t a fan, it is incredible to see. The attention to detail is second to none, and the tour includes walking around Hobbiton, seeing inside a Hobbit hole and a visit to the Green Dragon pub. The absolute best day!
Top Tip: Find out everything you need to know about visiting:
Visiting Hobbiton: Step Inside the Real Middle-earth in New Zealand
Tongariro National Park โ Mordor and Mount Doom
Tongariro National Park served as the setting for many scenes depicting Mordor. And, even if you aren’t a fan of the films, it is one of the most incredible places to visit in New Zealand. The crossing is approximately 20 km long, and the hike takes 6 to 8 hours to complete.
As you complete the crossing, you pass by the pass of Mount Ngauruhoe, which was used as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films. Traversing the volcanic terrain and gazing up at the mountain, you will believe you are in Mordor. This area holds deep significance for Mฤori, and walking here feels like a profound privilege; as such, it is not possible to climb to the summit.
Top Tip: Discover all you need to know about undertaking the ‘best one-day hike in New Zealand’:
Tongariro Crossing Guide: Everything You Need to Know for Your Epic Hike
Mount Victoria, Wellington – “Get off the road”
Mount Victoria is a park right near the centre of Wellington, and where the very first scene of The Lord of the Rings was filmed – the Hobbits hiding from the Nazgul. The tree itself was actually a prop used for the film, so you might need a little bit of imagination to picture the scene. This spot is also right next to where Frodo yells, “Get off the road”. Easy to find, thanks to this Google Maps location.
Just up the hill from this spot is another location where one of the Black Riders was standing. I highly recommend this tour, which helps you visualise these spots and provides extensive insider knowledge. One of the best days I had in New Zealand!
Mount Victoria, Wellington – Dunharrow
Another spot that was pointed out on the Lord of the Rings tour I joined. This location was used when Aragorn and Theoden were looking out over the Rohirrim encampment of Dunharrow. While the wide shots were filmed in the South Island, some of the close-ups were filmed in Mount Victoria.
Hutt River – River Anduin
The natural beauty of the Hutt River made it the perfect filming location for the River Anduin. Situated close to the Wellington studios, where many of the interior scenes were shot, principal filming took place along the stretch of river between Moonshine and Totara Park. Poetโs Park served as the location where the Elven boats were launched as the Fellowship departed from Lothlรณrien.
Scenes from The Two Towers in which Aragorn is washed ashore after his fight with the Wargs were also filmed along the Hutt River, approximately 2 km north of Upper Hutt. Public access to this section of the river is via Gemstone Drive.
Kaitoke Regional Park – Rivendell
Further through Upper Hutt, you will reach Kaitoke Regional Park, which was the filming location for Rivendell. The filming location is signposted from the car park, and on-site, there is a display showing the construction and final result. This is one of the few locations in New Zealand where you can see a film relic. While the original large-scale structures were removed after filming, a replica Elven archway has since been added, though it is about half the size of the original.
Harcourt Park – Isengard Gardens
This pretty park was used as a couple of Lord of the Rings filming locations. Firstly, for the scene in The Fellowship of the Ring, where Sarurman and Gandalf are walking through the gardens of Isengard, after the rediscovery of the ring in Hobbiton. The spot is located on a green lawn, up a small hill, with a park bench at the top.
Harcourt Park was also used for scenes in The Two Towers, where Orcs were pulling down trees. These trees were imported from a remote location, and ‘re-planted’ using iron poles and hinges. Meaning they can be felled repeatedly for multiple takes.
Top Tip: Combine visiting many of these Lord of the Rings filming locations near Wellington on a day tour, which includes a visit to Weta Workshop. The owner of this company was an extra in the films, and this tour provides extensive insider knowledge.
The Putangirua Pinnacles – The Dimholt Road
The Putangirua Pinnacles will be instantly recognisable to any fan as the Lord of the Rings filming locations for the road that Aragorn takes in The Return of the King – the Path of the Dead, the Dimholt Road. There are three different walks to the Pinnacles, and one of the most spectacular is along the Putangirua streambed. This will take you to the filming location. The return trip takes 2-3 hours.
South Island Lord of the Rings Filming Locations
Franz Josef Glacier – Lighting of the Beacons
Franz Josef, and specifically Mount Gunn, was used for the scene in The Return of the King when the beacons were lit. Mount Gunn can be found on the West Coast of New Zealand, near to Franz Josef. You can drive up the access road, which takes you through the bush for great views of the glacier. But the best way to see Mount Gunn is by helicopter.
Mount Sunday – Edoras
Mount Sunday was famously used as the filming location for Edoras, the capital of Rohan. It is a small, isolated hill rising from the braided rivers of the Rangitata Valley. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in atmosphere, and the towering Southern Alps surround it. A gentle walk takes you across swing bridges and open tussock plains to the top of the hill. Even without the movie connection, Mount Sunday is stunning and offers one of the most memorable short hikes in the South Island. One of my favourite Lord of the Rings filming locations, and even one of my favourite spots in all of New Zealand!
Top Tip: Find out all you need to know about discovering Edoras, including how to get there:
Visiting Mount Sunday, New Zealand: The Real Edoras
Top Tip: It is a long drive over rough tracks to reach Mount Sunday. The easiest way to visit is to join this tour, which departs from Christchurch and provides all the insider knowledge.
Mount Cook – Lonely Mountain
The Lonely Mountain features in The Hobbit as the final destination for Bilbo on his journey through Middle-earth. In New Zealand, Mount Cook was used as the real-life location. It is the highest mountain in New Zealand, and on a good day, you can get stunning views of it from Lake Puakai. However, if you have time, I would highly recommend taking a few days to explore the national park. It will be one of your highlights in the country!
Top Tip: Use this post to plan the best three days:
Visiting Mount Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand: Epic 3-day Adventure Itinerary
Mount Cook – Minas Tirth
Minas Tirith was primarily brought to life through large-scale sets, CGI, and specific filming locations in New Zealand rather than a single standing structure. However, the mountains near Mount Cook National Park (specifically the Tasman Glacier area) provided the iconic backdrop for the city. This Google Maps location gives you the best place to view this stunning location.
Twizel – Pelennor Fields
Just outside the town of Twizel is the perfect location that was used to film the battle at Pelennor Fields. The field itself is set on private land, but you can drive alongside it.
While in Twizel, you can also take a trip to visit the Peace Ring. Dean created it as a personal challenge. Set directly in front of the filming location, it rotates so you can position it for the best shot. It costs $10 NZ to visit, and you need to call in advance to arrange a visit. As a fan, this was a great stop!
Kawarau River – The Argonath
Between Arrowtown and Queenstown, you can head towards the Lord of the Rings filming locations of the Kawarau River. Directly opposite A.J. Hackett’s bungy jump is the entrance to a vineyard, and spectacular views of the location where the Pillars of the Kings were shot. The statues themselves were CGI, but the river is instantly recognisable.
Arrowtown – Ford of Bruinen
From Arrowtown, head towards the Arrow River. This is used in the scene where Arwen crosses the river with Frodo to escape from the Nazgรปl, and utters the famous line, ‘If you want him, come and claim him’. The ford is only minutes from the centre of the village. Walk upstream for 200 M, which could involve some wading! Historically, Arrowtown was a gold mining town, so you can try your luck with some gold panning while you’re here.
Top Tip: You can visit many of these sights, including some of the harder-to-reach ones, on this tour from Queenstown: 4WD Lord of the Rings Tour.
Deer Park Heights – Rohan
Deer Park Heights is a farm located just off the road to Te Anua, near Queenstown. It was used to film many scenes depicting Rohan, including when they flee to Helm’s Deep from Edoras, and the battle of the Warg’s when Aragorn is injured. It is on privately owned land, and the only way to visit is to book through this site. You book vehicle access for up to 8 passengers so that you can explore in your own car. There is no pedestrian access.
Glenorchy, Dan’s Paddock – Isengard
From the town of Glenorchy, which is around 45 KM from Queenstown, you take the road towards Paradise, which is a further 20 km along GlenorchyโParadise Road. While the first section is sealed, the latter part is gravel, so ensure your vehicle is suitable, particularly after heavy rain. After 26 km, you reach Dan’s Paddock. The area up the slopes on the right-hand side is where the paddock and the forest meet, where Gandalf rode up towards Isengard.
Glenorchy, Paradise – Lothlรณrien
A further 2 KM along the road from Dan’s Paddock, just after leaving a clearing to enter a forest glade, you have reached another filming spot. Here, the edge of the forest was used to portray the Fellowship entering Lothlรณrien.
Top Tip: Visit these filming locations, without your own car, on this day tour:
Half-day tour from Glenorchy
Special Effects Workshop for Lord of the Rings Filming Locations – Weta Workshop
No Lord of the Rings trip to New Zealand would be complete without a visit to Weta Workshop. Located in Miramar, Wellington, this special effects studio played a crucial role in bringing Middle-earth to life. While the dramatic landscapes provided the setting, it was Wetaโs craftsmanship that created the armour, weapons, creatures and intricate props seen throughout the trilogy. The Workshop was responsible for everything from the design of the One Ring to the detailed armour worn by the Rohirrim.
Today, visitors can take a guided tour of the workshop to see behind the scenes of the creative process. For fans, it provides a fascinating contrast to the natural filming locations. Showing how practical effects and imagination worked alongside New Zealandโs landscapes to create the world of Middle-earth.
Tours for Lord of the Rings Filming Locations
I highly recommend taking as many tours as your budget allows to visit these filming locations. Not only does it make reaching some of the destinations significantly easier, but it also gives you inside knowledge that adds so much to the experience. Here are some yours you can take:
South Island Tours (Queenstown & Glenorchy)
โข From Queenstown: Lord Of The Rings Tour to Glenorchy
A small-group adventure from Queenstown to Glenorchy, taking in iconic filming landscapes, scenic drives along Lake Wakatipu and stops where scenes like Lothlรณrien and Isengard were shot.
โข Queenstown: Lord of the Rings Locations HalfโDay Tour
Shorter half-day tour around Queenstownโs local LOTR filming spots โ perfect if youโre tight on time but still want to see key locations.
โข Queenstown: FullโDay 4WD Lord of the Rings Tour with Lunch
Full-day 4WD tour from Queenstown exploring a wider variety of South Island filming sites with an included lunch.
โข Glenorchy: 4WD Lord Of the Rings HalfโDay Tour
A four-wheel-drive off-road experience focused on LOTR locations between Queenstown, Glenorchy and Paradise Valley, often with small group sizes and photo ops.
North Island / Central NZ Tours
โข The BEST North Island Lord of the Rings Tours (including Hobbiton)
Guided excursion to Hobbiton Movie Set, complete with round-trip transfers from Auckland or Rotorua and a chance to explore the heart of the Shire.
Wellington & Lower North Island
โข Wellington: Lord of the Rings Filming Locations Tour
Covers multiple filming sites in the Wellington region, including Hutt Valley locations like Helmโs Deep, Rivendell and the Weta Workshop (with entry included), plus panoramic city viewpoints.
โข Wellington: HalfโDay Lord of the Rings Locations Tour
A shorter option focused on key Olympia-era filming spots and behind-the-scenes at Weta Workshop, perfect for tighter itineraries.
Resources to find Lord of the Rings Filming Locations
If you plan to find filming locations independently, having the right resources makes a significant difference. While some sites are clearly signposted and easy to find, many are tucked away down rural roads, within national parks, or in areas that look very different from how they appeared on screen.
I highly recommend investing in the Lord of the Rings Location Guide Book by Ian Broadie, which is the only authorised guide to the many filming locations across New Zealand. The book breaks down locations by region, includes detailed directions, GPS coordinates and behind-the-scenes insights, and explains exactly which scenes were filmed at each site. It is particularly helpful for lesser-known spots that are easy to miss without guidance.
In addition to the guidebook, it is worth cross-referencing locations with official Department of Conservation maps and local tourism websites, as access conditions can occasionally change. Some areas are on private land or may have seasonal restrictions, so checking ahead can save a wasted journey.
Useful travel tools and links
To help you plan your trip, here are some of my favourite useful travel tools and links I use on a daily basis to travel:
- Hostelworld: The place to book hostels and cheaper accommodation. Perfect for backpacking trips. With 24 hour cancellation options, and easy to manage from your account.
- Booking.com: One of the largest places to search for hotels around the world. Often with free cancellation options.
- Hotels.com: Also a fantastic place to source hotels, and they offer a loyalty programme.
- Expedia: Another option for hotels as well as a great place to search for flights, car hire and more.
- Skyscanner: The best place to search for flights to find the best rates.
- GetYourGuide: Easy access to book a wide range of curated tours, activities, and experiences around the world.
- Viator: A great place to search for group tours and day trips. Part of the TripAdvisor brand.
- KnowRoaming: eSIMs are a game changer for travel. Purchase before you go and be connected as soon as you land. KnowRoaming eSIM plans keep you and your devices seamlessly connected in 200+ international destinations.
- G Adventures: The ‘go to’ for all group travel tour adventures. Perfect for solo travellers.
- Amazon: Link to my storefront with ALL the useful gadgets and items I couldn’t travel without.
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