If you’re a fan of Middle-earth and have always wanted to visit, then I have good news. It’s real! And it’s actually called New Zealand.
But let’s say instead of having 18 months to destroy the ring of power, you are only blessed with a mere 7-10 days. I’m happy to guide you through all of the must-visit filming locations – and don’t worry, I promise not to betray you along the way.
Over the course of this far less treacherous ~10-day trip, you’ll venture from Auckland to Queenstown and see some of the most iconic and epic Lord of the Rings locales, beautifully preserved in all their natural glory.
Start Your Adventure in the Shire
Where else would you start? Hobbiton was the small, sleepy hamlet that our favourite hobbits called home, and in case you weren’t already aware, the entire movie set is still standing and looked after with painstaking attention to detail.
Matamata is a two-hour drive from Auckland, and it’s there that you’ll come across the private farmland where Hobbiton remains to this day. While you’re there, you can take a 2-hour guided tour around the set, during which you will step through ornate gardens, hobbit holes, and stop for a drink at the fabled Green Dragon pub (they come in pints).
You can also catch spectacular panoramic views across the Kaimai Ranges from the idyllic green hills of the film set, which remains a fully operational sheep and beef farm.
One Does Simply Walk into Mordor
Forget the eagles. Why didn’t Frodo just drive to Mordor? It’s only two and a half hours away from his front door. Tongariro National Park is a one-of-a-kind location, and was the main setting for the land of Mordor for the movies.
The scenery there is jaw-droppingly dramatic, with Mount Doom itself, or Mount Ngauruhoe, dominating the landscape. You might be surprised to learn that you can actually climb Ngauruhoe, but it’s tough as the entire mountain is primarily made up of ash, so it’s like climbing a 2000ft sand dune. I wouldn’t recommend this unless you’re an experienced climber yourself – it probably isn’t worth risking multiple injury claims.
But the area isn’t just home to Mordor. You can find the locations for Emyn Muil nearby, just in the shadow of Mount Ruapehu, which is also the second-highest peak on the entire North Island.
To Wellington
New Zealand’s capital is about four and a half hours away by car, but it’s well worth the long drive. Middle-earth aside, it’s a fantastic city that’s bursting with culture and full of friendly locals. In between set visits and costume exhibits, I’d recommend that you take advantage of either a picturesque bike ride, a trip to the theatre or to Papa Tongarewa – the museum of New Zealand.
But when you’re ready to step back into Middle-earth, you absolutely need to join a full-day Lord of the Rings tour, which will initially take you up Mount Victoria, to see the hobbits’ famous treeroot hiding spot. After that, you can expect a trip to the Weta Cave in Miramar – a mini museum that showcases Weta’s staggering array of props, from weaponry to armour sets, costumes and even concept art painted by John Howe and Alan Lee.
Then, after lunch, comes one of my personal highlights of the tour: venturing north to Hutt Valley. You’ll get to see the River Anduin and Helm’s Deep up close, as well as the gardens of a pre-industrial Isengard. The last stop on the tour is Rivendell, where the enormous front archway still stands.
To the South Island
After a full journey day flying to Christchurch on the South Island, you can rent a car and drive to Mount Sunday, also known as Edoras. Enjoy this stop; plan a walk through the wide open plains of Rohan and take in the far-spanning views of the near and distant snow-capped mountains that circle the valley.
After that, there’s a long drive to Queenstown (or a one-hour flight), where you’ll be sucked into the Middle-earth heartland. Just off the road in Glenorchy, by an unassuming ‘paradise’ sign, you can find the forest of Lothlorien. If you head over to Skipper’s Canyon, you’ll soon come across the Ford of Bruinen, where Arwen sent the Nazgul to their watery graves.
Now, for the final stop on your adventure, you can take a long, five-hour drive to Mount Cook National Park, where you can see the eponymous Mount Cook, which served as the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit trilogy and as the Misty Mountains throughout The Lord of the Rings.
Closing Thoughts
With that, you will drive to Christchurch, where your fellowship will come to an end. If you’re a fan of these movies, then this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage is well worth the time and money, whether you’re journeying from near or far.