Some Hobbits don't like to stray too far from home, but occasionally they embark on a grand adventure. Explore New Zealand - the real Middle‑earth™ - and follow in the footsteps of Bilbo, Frodo and Sam from Tongariro National Park in the north, to Treble Cone and the Misty Mountains pathway in the south.
Journey through dramatic scenes of golden plains, enchanting valleys and towering mountains as you experience many of the film locations for yourself.
Journey from the exciting urban hub of Auckland to Matamata - the home of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Enjoy a guided tour around The Shire, where your knowledgeable guide will enlighten you about the history and the on-location filming processes. Stop for a handle of Sobering Thought Ale at the Green Dragon Inn or grab a light lunch at the Shire’s Rest Café.
Click here to experience Hobbiton in 360 degrees.
I just wish I could move into one of these Hobbit holes I mean this would be an absolutely idyllic place to live, it really would. This is the sort of place that I would very happily retire to.
Find things to do in Waikato.
Experience wilderness in Tongariro National Park - an area known for its mountainous, desolate beauty. This region was used as the location for some of the filming of Mordor in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. It is also famous for the Tongariro Crossing - an iconic kiwi day hike. Spend a night in Ohakune under the shadow of rugged Mt Ruapehu and enjoy this small town that acted as a location base for The Hobbit film crew.
Tourists with Mount Ngauruhoe in the background - the location of Mordor in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
Learn more about the Ruapehu Region.
Dewy scenery and natural spectacles are New Zealand's biggest draw-cards and a sure reason why the country was chosen as the home of Middle‑earth™. Explore this magical world of tall trees, clear rivers and melodious birdlife on a short walk or famous multi-day hike.
McClean Falls surrounded by lush rainforest in the Catlins
The land of rugged coastlines, nature walks, and wildlife.
Weta is the Academy Award winning company behind the special effects of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies, and the Weta Cave in Wellington is a mini-museum that showcases the props and characters that create the movie magic. Get a behind-the-scenes look before checking out nearby filming locations. Indulge in the city’s buzzing food and wine scene, and enjoy a cable-car ride to the Kelburn lookout for expansive harbour views.
See special effect and set designers at work in a Weta Cave Workshop Tour. Learn their secrets about what it takes to create the movie masterpieces.
'Coolest little capital' according to Lonely Planet.
Enjoy a stopover in Nelson – one of the sunniest parts of New Zealand and see that gleaming sunshine on 'The One Ring’. Here you will find Jens Hansen -The Ringmaker, the goldsmith responsible for creating the 40 different rings used in production. And one of the original rings is on display for you to marvel at before buying yourself a replica. Afterwards explore the many craft breweries in Nelson, or check out other filming locations including Chetwood Forest, Pelorus River, Mt Olympus and Mt Owen.
Get your hands on the official 'The One Ring' at Jens Hansen - The Ringmaker in Nelson.
Discover more things to do in Nelson.
One of the most magical locations in The Hobbit Trilogy is Earnslaw Burn. Here you will find sheer walls of granite rising 800 meters from the basin floor, and a monumental glacier creating a number of cascading waterfalls from its meltwater that spill down from the cliff-tops. It was here that Bilbo and the Company of Dwarves continued their quest on foot after departing Rivendell.
The place was alive with these incredible cascades. We were very lucky to go to some extraordinary locations.
Earnslaw Burn is perhaps the most spectacular of all the locations in The Hobbit Trilogy.
Paradise for walking and hiking lovers.
Paradise - a real place in New Zealand's Southern Lakes region is a picture of glorious isolation and natural grandeur. It's no wonder Peter Jackson chose this as the location for Beorn's House in The Hobbit Trilogy, as well as Isengard, Lothlorien and Amon Hen in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Come here to experience the magic of silence, and be in awe of the REAL Middle‑earth™.
Just 45 minutes from Queenstown, Glenorchy is nestled on the northern shores of Lake Wakatipu & is the gateway to hiking trails and Middle‑earth™ magic
Things to do near Queenstown.
You're at the end of your journey, but not at the end of your quest. Learn more about New Zealand's journey as Middle‑earth™ here. Or look here to discover more film locations throughout the country.
