New Zealand Lord of the Rings locations you have to visit

My precious, my precious…New Zealand. New Zealand is known for its amazing landscapes and unbelievably stunning views which take part in a lot of films, but most known are the Lord of the Rings including the Hobbiton films which were filmed all around New Zealand. Visiting those film locations is not only special for Lord of the Rings Fans but also for non-fans who are a fan of New Zealand’s stunning landscapes in New Zealand. So here are our top Lord of the Rings movie locations in New Zealand. Not only includes the world-famous shire, also known as the Hobbiton film set but also other locations a bit more remote and set in nature with just landscapes:

1. Hobbiton

Hobbiton is a must-visit for every Lord of the Rings fan, but it’s also highly recommended for those who haven’t seen the movies, as the location is truly magical. To visit the Shire, you’ll need to book a tour through the official organizer for about €75 per person. While it may seem pricey, trust me, the experience is well worth it! The guided tour takes you and your group by bus to Hobbiton, where you’ll enter just like Frodo did at the start of the Hobbit movie.
The film set was carefully constructed with attention to every detail, from the lush gardens full of flowers to the tiny accessories for the different hobbit jobs. The experience feels as though you’ve stepped right into Middle-earth. The tour concludes at the famous Green Dragon Inn, where you can enjoy a ginger beer, and you’ll also get to see the iconic Party Tree. It’s an unforgettable experience that transports you into the heart of the Lord of the Rings universe!

2. Tongariro National Park

This national park, including Mount Ngauruhoe, was used as the rugged scenery of Mordor and Mount Doom. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Tongariro National Park is worth a visit, even though much of the film’s appearance relied on special effects. The mountains on the North Island are breathtaking in person, and while they may not exactly match the film scenes, they are still stunning and definitely worthy of a spot on your bucket list. You can hike a trail that takes you through areas where they filmed scenes of Mordor, with views of Mount Ngauruhoe, which was used as Mount Doom. Be aware that this hike is very challenging—it’s about 20 kilometers long and takes around eight hours to complete!

3. Fjordland National Park

This stunning national park, famous for its Milford Sound, was also used as a backdrop in the Lord of the Rings films, with its breathtaking forests and fjords featured in several scenes. Specifically, the Eglinton Valley within the park served as Rohan’s location. This spot is conveniently located on the route from Te Anau to Milford Sound, making it a popular stop on guided tours. If you’re driving, it’s easy to take a quick break here to admire the scenery.

4. Mount Sunday

This place on the South Island of New Zealand was the site of Edoras, the capital of Rohan. Although a set was built for the film, everything was removed after filming. The location is still accessible via a scenic hike and offers stunning views—a small hill surrounded by towering, snow-capped mountains. However, this location is quite remote and not as easy to reach as some of the other film sites.

5. Glenorchy

Glenorchy, located on the South Island near Queenstown, was used for various shots in The Lord of the Rings. The Dart River Valley, in particular, was the setting for Isengard and parts of the Elven realm. This area is easily accessible by car, with descriptions and photos available to help you identify which scenes were filmed. You can take a short stroll around the area, making it a great stop if you want a break from driving. There are also free parking spaces and picnic areas for visitors. The forest here is enchanting and mystical, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of Isengard.

6. Putangirua Pinnacles

Part of the North Island’s Aorangi Forest Park was used for the scenes depicting the Paths of the Dead, where the Army of the Dead was recruited. The landscape here is breathtaking, with incredible stone formations that resemble towering, jagged peaks. We highly recommend visiting this spot if you’re traveling to the North Island of New Zealand. If you have a drone, be sure to bring it along, as the formations look even more spectacular from above!

7. Twizel

The small town is located on the South Island of New Zealand and isn’t a major tourist spot, except if you’re looking for a cheap parking space for a van—just like we were that day. We found a free spot by the side of a lake and used it. The epic Battle of Pelennor Fields from The Return of the King was filmed in the surrounding area of Mackenzie Basin.

8. Waiau River

It was used for the scenes where the Fellowship paddles down the River Anduin. The river is just as natural, untouched, and wild as it appears in the films, and the surrounding dense forest perfectly recreates the atmosphere of the movie, making it feel as if the scenes were filmed here only yesterday.

9. Tawhai Falls

Tawhai Falls, also known as Gollum’s Pool, is located in Tongariro National Park. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can visit three film locations in one day—Mordor, Rohan, and Tawhai Falls. For an extra bit of fun, you can even recreate Gollum’s iconic scene by standing on a rock in the water in front of the waterfall!

Some of those locations don´t offer a lot around the location itself, but they provide a good picture of the natural beauty of New Zealand, with not a lot of people touching it. Which is very important in a country that is rich in nature and culture. To leave these movie film scenes as unspoiled as possible is very beautiful. If you have more locations in New Zealand Lord of the Rings movie locations, let us know. Good luck my dear fellowship of the ring and life a life to remember!