Filmed in New Zealand, and not on soundstages, the Oscar-winning motion picture took advantage of the diverse landscape. Travelers on a South Pacific vacation can go on an adventure, following in the footsteps of the Fellowship.
The opening of the trilogy takes place in Tolkein’s envisioned land of the hobbits, the Shire. The rolling hills of Matamata, near Auckland, seemed like the perfect area for director Peter Jackson. Visitors to this area can not see the houses built into the hills anymore, but they’ll recognize the beautiful landscape.
For guests on the island nation looking to find filming locations that stood in for darker places, like Mordor, Tongariro National Park is the place to visit. It is also close to Auckland.
Queenstown, considered New Zealand’s adventure capital, served as the shooting place for the scenes near Rivendell, such as Arwen’s fight to save Frodo against the Black Riders crossing the river.
Tours are available which take travelers across the nation to see the best and most scenic Lord of the Rings former set locations.
