Lord of the Rings Locations

New Zealand's dramatic and diverse scenery was a compelling element in Peter Jackson successfully pitching his homeland as the location for the epic.

'Tolkien's world was one of deep hidden valleys, barren wastelands, remote mystical mountains and lush, low valleys, and we found all these places throughout New Zealand.'
(Peter Jackson, Foreword, Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook, by Ian Brodie)

This website provides an overview to the locations that help make these special films - New Zealand's remarkable outdoors and its people. Please note that most Lord of the Rings set locations (eg: any actual buildings or sets constructed for filming) have long gone. In the few cases where they remain - access is often limited. You can, however, visit the stunning natural features that served as a backdrop for filming.

Search for film locations
  Waikato - Hobbiton
  Taupo Region - Mordor, Emyn Muil
  Kapiti Coast - East Road
  Upper Hutt - Isengard, Rivendell, Great River Anduin
  Lower Hutt - Minas Tirith, Minas Morgul, Helms Deep
  Wellington - Bree, The Shire, Moria, Weathertop and Studio scenes
  Nelson - Dimrill Dale
  Takaka - Chetwood Forest
  Queenstown - Lothlorien
  Canterbury - Edoras, Plains of Rohan
  Tarras / Wanaka - Golden Plains
  Twizel - Pelennor Fields
  Te Anau - The Dead Marshes
  Milford Sound - Nen Hithoel, Amon Hen, Fangorn Forest
  Southern Alps - Misty Mountains

The pivotal battle at Pelennor Field and scenes involving the Eastemnet Gullies were filmed on the spectacular Ben-Ohau high country sheep station located in the Mackenzie Basin, near Twizel. The farm is nestled at the foot of the Southern Alps in the South Island of New Zealand. Tours can be booked at the Twizel Information Centre.

Other useful links and articles
  Department of Conservation - Lord of the Rings Locations
  Peter Jackson - the director of The Lord of the Rings
  The Lord of the Rings - World of Wearable Art
  The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy - The Exhibition
  Stansborough - fabric weavers to The Lord of the Rings - the Magic Cloaks
  Weta Studio - Heart of The Lord of the Rings
  Wellington - At the Centre of The Lord of the Rings
  Wellington - Visit The Lord of the Rings Locations
  The Lord of the Rings - Merchandise - Online at Te Papa Wellington
  A link to plot summary and cast.
  Ian McKellen talks about shooting The Return of the King.
  Order Jasons Travel Guides & Maps.

LOTR location guidebook
For more detailed information on the filming locations, pick up Ian Brodie's Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook (Harper Collins 2002, revised edition 2003) or Lonely Planet's Lord of the Rings New Zealand Guide Book. The revised edition of the Lord of the Rings Locations Guidebook contains new interviews with key cast and crew, new location photographs and movie images from the Return of the King, along with touring information, GPS references and local directions to filming sites. It can be ordered online at the link above, or from a local supplier or bookstore by quoting the ISBN code (1-86950-452-6) and HarperCollins NZ as the publisher.

Lord of the Rings Tours
For those interested in group travel there are a range of credible touring companies offering Lord of the Rings themed tours to New Zealand.

This site is maintained and updated by Jasons Travel Media, and is in no way affiliated with Tolkien Enterprises or the Tolkien Estate. We in no way claim the Lord of the Rings artwork or images displayed to be our own. Copyrights and trademarks for the books, films, articles, and other promotional materials are held by their respective owners and their use is allowed under the fair use clause of the Copyright Law. All images are sourced from various Newspapers and considered to be in the public domain.