The Southern Alps take centre stage
Nestled on the shores of Lake Ohau in the Mackenzie Basin at the foot of the Alps, the Ben Ohau sheep station had a temporary identity change for scenes of the White Mountains, the Battle of Pelennor Fields, the Plains of Rohan, Rohan villages and the Eastemnet Gullies. The nearby township of Twizel (about five hours drive south-west of Christchurch), affords breathtaking views of the dramatic Mount Cook or Aoraki (Cloud Piercer), towering above its massive companions at 3753 metres.
| Queenstown, home of alpine adventure and world-renowned scenery. |
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Further south, look out over the stunning Lake Wanaka and you may recognise the Misty Mountains, used as a backdrop when Gandalf flew to Rohan with Gwaihir after his rescue from Orthanc. Driving on, as State Highway 89 meanders through the beautiful Cardrona Valley to Queenstown, hills and valleys in the area were home to scenes for the Pillars of the Argonath, Dimrill Dale and Amon Hen. The Ford of Bruinen in flood was filmed on the Shotover River at Skippers, closer to Queenstown.
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| Flightseeing – a birds eye view of filming locations. |
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It didn't take much for the Southern Alps to star in Middle-earth, and if you decide to do some exploring yourself, you'll be transported to Tolkien's world as quick as you can say 'hobbit'. Scenic flights reveal breathtaking views – you'll wonder how such varied location material was so skilfully weaved together. Take a land-based guided tour with a knowledgeable local - you may even meet an extra from the movie! You can bungee off a bridge into the River Anduin (aka the famous Kawarau River), or if you'd rather float, rafting operators offer both a full-on and a 'non-wetsuit' option past the location of the Argonath.
So get out on your own Middle-earth journey. You may not have to battle Orcs, escape Ringwraiths or resist the evil power of the One Ring, but there's still plenty of room for pure excitement. And it doesn't even matter if you forget to pack your sword!
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