New Zealand’s Lord of the Rings Tours and Film Locations

There are countless reasons to add New Zealand to your list of dream destinations—dramatic landscapes, jaw-dropping wildlife, adrenaline-pumping adventures—but for fans of The Lord of the Rings, it can be an especially magical experience. New Zealand is happy to share its Middle-earth history with visitors, and there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in Tolkien’s world on your trip.

Tolkien aficionados might consider dedicating a few days to explore New Zealand’s numerous Middle-earth attractions. Most of the more accessible (and obvious) ones are clustered around the center of North Island.

If you’d rather leave the planning to others, Great Sights offers a range of Middle-earth tours across both islands. Red Carpet Tours operates 6- to 14-day nationwide movie tours, including kayaking and cruises.

Hobbiton

The rolling green meadows of Waikato served as the Shire backdrop for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movies. You can explore the original movie set by guided tour at Hobbiton, not far from Hamilton. The tour ends with a cup of specially brewed cider at the Green Dragon.

Mount Doom

In Tongariro National Park stands Mount Ngāuruhoe—otherwise known as “Mount Doom.” It’s easily viewable from the roads around the park; better still, hike past it along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a 6-8-hour hike that winds right under the peak.

Wētā Cave and Workshop

Wellington is filled with Tolkien goodies. Flying into Wellington Airport, you’ll be greeted by Gollum as he catches a fish, along with an array of enormous movie props. The woods around Mount Victoria are where the hobbits ran from the Ringwraiths. Fans should not miss a visit to Wētā Cave and Workshop, where most of the special effects used in the films were created.

The One Ring to Rule Them All

In Nelson, visit the jeweler Jens Hansen, where the One Ring was made. (There were actually 40 rings made for the film, not just one.) Original rings are on display and replicas are available for sale.

Ready to go? Grab your guide!

Moon New Zealand

by Jamie Christian Desplaces

by Moon Travel Guides

From snowy mountains to golden beaches, beauty awaits around every bend on these dramatic islands. Find your adventure with Moon New Zealand.

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$24.99

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$31.99 CAD

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Trade Paperback (Revised)

1. ebook (Revised)

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Jamie Christian Desplaces

About the Author

Having spent four years between Asia and Australia and with no inclination to return back home to the UK, Jamie Desplaces opted to give Aotearoa New Zealand a try. That was way back in 2012, and he’s still there.

Just a few weeks after arriving, he secured an assignment to write about the country’s fracking industry, a two-month investigation that was hailed by environmental and political organizations, and won a feature of the year award. Jamie quickly discovered the sacred connection between Kiwis and their land, a connection that he now feels. From the glistening beaches of the subtropical far north to the majestic fiords of the deep south and the volcanoes and vineyards and vast alpine backcountry that stitch it all together, he has explored every corner of this country – and continues to do so.

It’s also somewhat poetic that Jamie, having attended the same school as J.R.R. Tolkien, whose tomes of Middle-Earth tales inspired the movies that have so promoted the majesty of Aotearoa New Zealand, now has the opportunity to share its legend with others.

Jamie’s work has been published in Beats, Escape, Massive, and on USAToday.com. He has published a novel and is head writer at Verve magazine in Auckland, where he lives with his wife and two sons.

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