Where in New Zealand is Lord of the Rings filmed?
Hobbiton, Waikato
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New Zealand’s mountain ranges, wild rivers and grassy fields provided the perfect setting for the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Here is where you can find Middle‑earth™ for yourself.

Was the Hobbit filmed in Wellington?
While production was based in Wellington, director and producer Peter Jackson made the most of New Zealand’s stunning landscapes and was shot on location throughout the country in late 2011.
Where in New Zealand is Middle-earth?
Matamata
The most recognizable location is Hobbiton — the movie set in Matamata in New Zealand’s Waikato district that was used during filming of both the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies.

Where is Helms Deep in NZ?
Wellington
Wellington. Wellington played a massive role in the making of the Lord of the Rings movies. Not only were movie locations like Rivendell, Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith filmed in the Wellington region, Wellington is also the home of Weta Workskop.
Which island in New Zealand was the Hobbit filmed?
Tour Hobbiton
New Zealand’s rugged scenery was the location for much of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit films, but it was a 1,250 acre working sheep farm on North Island that became Hobbiton, the home of the hobbits in JRR Tolkien’s fantasy land, Middle Earth.
Where are the misty mountains in New Zealand?
The mountains behind Glenorchy, a village at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown was the location for the Misty Mountains. Glenorchy is very close to Queenstown and is the gateway to the spectacular Mt Aspiring National Park and the start of the famous Routeburn track.
Where is the Lonely Mountain in New Zealand?
Ruapehu
Tongariro Crossing, Ruapehu
The rocky slopes and grassy tussock of Tūroa in Ruapehu was the setting for Hidden Bay, the entrance to the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Turoa is a popular ski field on Mt Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park.
Where are the misty mountains in NZ?
Where is Rohan in New Zealand?
Rangitata Valley, South Island
In the South Island’s Rangitata Valley area, you’ll find the dramatic scenery of Rohan, as seen in The Two Towers, on the real-life grassy outcropping called Mt. Sunday.
Where were The Hobbit mountain scenes filmed?
Mount Cook, Christchurch – Canterbury. Aoraki / Mount Cook and it’s surrounding alpine peaks are used in the backdrop of some of the aerial filming in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Visit Aoraki Mount Cook National Park for a range of walking tracks and scenic views.
What mountain was used for the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit?
Mount Ruhapehu
Mount Ruhapehu towers over the lowlands of the North Island’s great Central Plateau. The rocky slopes of the mountain were the setting for Hidden Bay, the entrance to the Lonely Mountain in The Desolation of Smaug.
Can you visit The Hobbit houses?
You can’t go inside the houses—the interior scenes were filmed at Weta Workshop in Wellington—but you can peer inside some of the windows (look out for the cheese-maker).
Is Rivendell in The Hobbit a real place?
Rivendell (Sindarin: Imladris) is a valley in J. R. R. Tolkien’s fictional world of Middle-earth, representing both a homely place of sanctuary and a magical Elvish otherworld.
Where is Rivendell NZ?
Kaitoke Regional Park
Kaitoke Regional Park was the filming location for Rivendell and the Fords of Isen in the The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. The whole area is distinctly elvish, with light filtering through ancient trees and clear babbling brooks. You’ll soon feel the magical tranquillity that surrounded the house of Elrond.
Which island in New Zealand was The Hobbit filmed?
Where was the Arkenstone found?
the Lonely Mountain
The Arkenstone was a great jewel discovered beneath the roots of the Lonely Mountain during the reign of Thráin I and prized by his descendants as the “Heart of the Mountain”.
Can you visit The Hobbit houses in New Zealand?
You can visit the hobbit village in Matamata, New Zealand with a two-hour guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set.
Is the Shire set still in New Zealand?
Where is The Shire in New Zealand? Hobbiton and The Shire are located in Matamata on the North Island. To visit you’ll need your own vehicle or you can take a tour from Rotorua or Auckland. The drive from Auckland to Hobbiton takes 2.5 hours.
Is The Lord of the Rings set still in New Zealand?
The Lord of the Rings filming locations are today major tourist attractions in New Zealand, the island country where it was shot in its entirety. The untouched landscape made it possible for Jackson to visualise Middle Earth, created by Tolkien, in New Zealand.
Does the Shire exist in real life?
“The Shire” set in Matamata, New Zealand is a popular tourist destination. Flickr/Chris J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” series takes place in an expansive and storied land called Middle Earth.
Why is NZ called Middle Earth?
New Zealand’s dramatic scenery, consisting of golden plains, towering mountains and enchanting valleys, plays a part in creating the mythical world of Middle‑earth™ as seen in The Lord of the Rings™ and The Hobbit Trilogy™.
Where is Helm’s Deep in New Zealand?
Dry Creek Quarry
Dry Creek Quarry. This modest quarry had a spectacular transformation during the filming of The Two Towers. The sets for Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith, the fortresses of Gondor, were built here and the quarry was used for the famous last battle scene in The Two Towers.
What happened to the Arkenstone after Thorin died?
When the Dragon Smaug sacked Lonely Mountain, the Arkenstone was lost to the Dwarves of Durin’s Folk — it lay among Smaug’s booty in the halls of Erebor. Many years later, when Thorin led a band of Dwarves to recover their ancient realm, their companion Bilbo Baggins discovered the Arkenstone, but kept it for himself.
What was wrong with the Arkenstone?
The Arkenstone is nothing like the One Ring. The ring is imbued with Sauron’s powers- that’s why it corrupts (and betrays) those who have it. The Arkenstone doesn’t house any kind of power. It really is a matter of greed.
How much does a trip to Hobbiton cost?
You need to pay for a guided tour and pick a time of entry. The tour is costly at $89 for an adult ticket and $44 for a youth ticket, but well worth it. Children under the age of 8 are free. Click here to book your ticket directly through their site.