Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies were filmed almost entirely in New Zealand, using over 150 locations across both islands. The landscape was so perfect for Tolkien's world that the country now officially markets itself as "Home of Middle-earth." Some locations are preserved film sets you can walk through, others are wild landscapes you can simply stand in and recognise. Here's where to find them.
The Must-Visit Locations
Hobbiton Movie Set — Matamata, Waikato
The only permanent film set from the trilogy. The Hobbit village was rebuilt in 2011 for The Hobbit films using permanent materials instead of temporary ones, and it's been open to visitors ever since. You walk through 44 hobbit holes, across the Party Tree field, and finish with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. The detail is extraordinary — the gardens are maintained year-round by a dedicated gardener. About 2 hours south of Auckland, 45 minutes from Rotorua. See our full Hobbiton review for prices, tips and booking advice.
Tongariro National Park (Mordor) — Central North Island
The volcanic landscapes of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu stood in for Mordor, the desolate land where Frodo carried the Ring. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing walks you right through these landscapes — the Red Crater, Emerald Lakes and barren lava fields are unmistakably Mordor. Mt Ngauruhoe is Mt Doom itself, though DOC asks that people don't climb it out of respect for its cultural significance to local iwi.
Paradise & Glenorchy — near Queenstown
The area around Glenorchy and the aptly named Paradise (yes, that's the real name of the place) was used extensively for Isengard, Lothlórien, Amon Hen and the Beorn scenes. The beech forests and braided rivers here are hauntingly beautiful. You can drive to Paradise from Glenorchy on a gravel road (about 20 minutes), or take a guided LOTR tour from Queenstown. Dart River jet boat and kayak trips also take you through filming locations.
Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell) — Upper Hutt, Wellington
The lush native bush and river setting of Kaitoke Regional Park was used for Rivendell, the elven refuge. There's a Rivendell sign and archway at the filming location, about a 45-minute drive north of Wellington. Free entry. The walk to the filming site takes about 15 minutes from the car park. It's a beautiful spot regardless of whether you're a fan.
Mt Sunday (Edoras) — Canterbury
The isolated hilltop where the Rohan capital of Edoras was built sits in the Rangitata Valley, about 2 hours inland from Christchurch. The set is gone, but the hill and its dramatic mountain backdrop are instantly recognisable. You can walk to the top (about 45 minutes). Access is via gravel road — 4WD recommended after rain. Several guided tours run from Christchurch.
Other Notable Locations
- Putangirua Pinnacles (Dimholt Road / Paths of the Dead) — dramatic eroded rock formations in the Wairarapa, about 1 hour from Wellington. Free walk to the pinnacles.
- Mt Victoria, Wellington (Hobbiton Woods) — the forest where the hobbits hid from the Ringwraith in Fellowship. Easy walk from central Wellington.
- Pelennor Fields (Twizel) — the vast Mackenzie Country plains near Mt Cook stood in for the battle scenes.
- Nelson Lakes (Dimrill Dale) — Lake Rotoiti near Nelson was used for the exit from Moria.
- Mavora Lakes (Nen Hithoel / Fangorn Forest) — remote lakes between Queenstown and Te Anau. Unsealed road access.
- Remarkables (Dimrill Dale approach) — the jagged mountain range visible from Queenstown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit Hobbiton in New Zealand?
Yes — the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata in the Waikato is a permanent attraction open daily with guided tours. It's the only permanent film set from the trilogy still standing, and the most-visited Lord of the Rings location in New Zealand. Tickets in 2026 are NZ$120 for adults, NZ$60 for kids, and must be booked ahead.
Where were the Lord of the Rings movies filmed in New Zealand?
Filming took place across both islands. The key locations are Hobbiton (Matamata, North Island), Mount Doom (Mt Ngauruhoe in Tongariro National Park), Rivendell (Kaitoke Regional Park near Wellington), Edoras (Mt Sunday in Canterbury), Isengard and Lothlórien (Paradise/Glenorchy near Queenstown), the Pelennor Fields (Twizel), Dimholt Road (Putangirua Pinnacles, Wairarapa), and Fangorn Forest (Mavora Lakes). Peter Jackson used more than 150 locations across New Zealand.
Which Lord of the Rings location is the best to visit?
For most travellers, Hobbiton is the must-visit — it's the only permanent set, visually recognisable in every detail, and easy to reach from Auckland or Rotorua. For dramatic natural landscapes, Tongariro National Park (Mordor) is unmatched — you can walk right through the volcanic terrain on the Alpine Crossing. For a South Island stop, Paradise near Glenorchy combines several locations (Isengard, Lothlórien) in one accessible area.
Is Mount Doom a real mountain in New Zealand?
Yes — Mount Doom is Mt Ngauruhoe, a 2,291m volcanic cone in Tongariro National Park. It last erupted in 1977 and is still considered active. Peter Jackson used real footage of Ngauruhoe combined with CGI to create Mount Doom. You can see it clearly from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. DOC asks visitors not to climb Ngauruhoe out of respect for its cultural significance to local Maori iwi.
How do I visit Lord of the Rings locations in New Zealand?
Two options: self-drive or guided tour. Self-drive works well for Hobbiton, Tongariro, Kaitoke (Rivendell), and Paradise/Glenorchy — all are accessible by rental car with clear directions. Guided tours are better for hard-to-reach spots like Mt Sunday (Edoras) and for the context guides provide with photo references. Wellington-based tours often combine Weta Workshop with nearby filming locations. Queenstown tours focus on Paradise, Glenorchy, and the Dart River.
How long does it take to see all the Lord of the Rings locations?
To visit just the top 5 locations (Hobbiton, Tongariro, Kaitoke, Mt Sunday, Paradise) you need at least 10–14 days as they're spread across both islands. A dedicated LOTR-focused trip covering 8–10 locations takes 3 weeks. For most travellers, we'd suggest visiting locations that fit naturally into a normal NZ itinerary — Hobbiton en route between Auckland and Rotorua, Tongariro on the way south to Wellington, and Paradise from Queenstown.
Are Lord of the Rings locations free to visit?
Most are free. Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell), Mt Victoria in Wellington, Paradise/Glenorchy (self-drive), Putangirua Pinnacles, and Mavora Lakes are all free public access. Tongariro National Park has DOC hut fees for multi-day walks but the Alpine Crossing itself is free (though you pay for shuttle transport). The main paid attraction is Hobbiton (NZ$120 adult) — it's on private farmland and the only permanent set, so entry is by ticket only.
Was The Hobbit also filmed in New Zealand?
Yes — The Hobbit trilogy (2012–2014) was filmed at many of the same locations as Lord of the Rings, plus new ones. The Hobbiton set was rebuilt as a permanent attraction for The Hobbit, which is why you can visit it today. Other Hobbit-specific locations include the Pelorus River (barrel escape scene), Lake Pukaki (near Mt Cook), and locations around Nelson. Amazon's Rings of Power series was also partially filmed in NZ.
