Bachcare The Holiday Home Company Logo
  • Home
  • Quick Locations
    • Auckland
    • Bay of Plenty
    • Far North
    • Hawkes Bay
    • Manawatū
    • Rotorua
    • Tauranga
    • Wellington – Wairarapa
    • Canterbury
    • Fiordland
    • Marlborough
    • Nelson & Golden Bay
    • Queenstown
    • Southland
    • West Coast
  • Popular Destinations
    • Bay Of Islands
    • Christchurch
    • Coromandel
    • Hanmer Springs
    • Lake Taupo
    • Mangawhai
    • Matakana
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Mt Ruapehu
    • Napier
    • Northland
    • Ohakune
    • Paihia
    • Queenstown
    • Rotorua
    • Tauranga
    • Waiheke Island
    • Wanaka
    • Whitianga
    • Matakana
    • Raglan
    • Kapiti Coast
    • Akaroa
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Quick Locations
    • Auckland
    • Bay of Plenty
    • Far North
    • Hawkes Bay
    • Manawatū
    • Rotorua
    • Tauranga
    • Wellington – Wairarapa
    • Canterbury
    • Fiordland
    • Marlborough
    • Nelson & Golden Bay
    • Queenstown
    • Southland
    • West Coast
  • Popular Destinations
    • Bay Of Islands
    • Christchurch
    • Coromandel
    • Hanmer Springs
    • Lake Taupo
    • Mangawhai
    • Matakana
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Mt Ruapehu
    • Napier
    • Northland
    • Ohakune
    • Paihia
    • Queenstown
    • Rotorua
    • Tauranga
    • Waiheke Island
    • Wanaka
    • Whitianga
    • Matakana
    • Raglan
    • Kapiti Coast
    • Akaroa
  • Contact Us
Search holiday homes
List your home
  • Help
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Guest T&Cs
    • Vacancies
  • Help
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Guest T&Cs
    • Vacancies
Bachcare The Holiday Home Company Logo
Back to Blog

Visit Middle Earth – Your Lord of the Rings Location Guide

  • Bachcare Holiday Homes
  • July 10, 2020
Table of Contents

Visit Middle Earth – Your Lord of the Rings Location Guide

New Zealand is Middle Earth. As the filming location for The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, you can walk with the elves, orcs and hobbits in magical landscapes around the country.  Make a pilgrimage to Hobbiton, climb the Devil’s Staircase to Mordor or explore Fangorn Forest on foot; it’s all right on your doorstep in New Zealand.

Step into some of cinema’s most epic scenes with our guide to visiting Lord Of The Rings sets and locations around New Zealand…


Mordor and Mount Doom – Tongariro National Park

lord of the rings locations nz
Image Credit: SangchaiOlanrittinunt

Boromir might warn that “One does not simply walk into Mordor”, but you actually can. Welcome to Tongariro National Park, where dramatic sweeping landscapes, ancient volcanoes and emerald crater lakes stood in for the dark and eerie land of Mordor.

The Tongariro Crossing is considered one of the world’s best one day hikes, and will take you through desolate rocky slopes to the Devil’s Staircase and the looming peak of Mount Doom (Mt Ngauruhoe).

Just like its fictional counterpart, the summit of Mt Ngauruhoe is treacherous to ascend, and it’s sacred to the local Iwi so we recommend you stick to Tongariro for this Lord Of The Rings shooting location.

Find a holiday home for your Mordor adventure


Hobbiton – Matamata

lord of the rings locations in new zealand
Image Credit: Andres Iga

Hobbiton is the only remaining movie set from The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings, and you’ll find it in the rolling green hills of Matamata. Take a tour around the 44 hobbit holes constructed for The Hobbit Trilogy, before slaking your thirst and sharing tales over a Southfarthing ale (or ginger beer) at the cosy Green Dragon Inn. 

Our tip: Tours can be busy with up to 50 people, so we recommend booking an early bird tour. These tours are the first or second tours of the day, when Hobbiton is less crowded.

Find a holiday home in the Waikato


Mount Sunday

mount sunday lord of the rings
Image Credit: Bruce Touron

Peter Jackson knows how to pick a majestic Lord Of The Rings shooting location. Hidden deep between the mountain cliffs of Hakatere Conservation Park is Mount Sunday, where the film set for Edoras once sat. 

These days the city of the Horse Lords of Rohan is gone, and bridges over the meandering rivers are the only structures interrupting the rugged South Island landscape (You’ll appreciate them, as the sparkling rivers are icy cold!). Follow worn paths through the glacier-carved valley from Hakatere Potts Road and you’ll be standing atop Mount Sunday in around 30 minutes.

Browse baches in Canterbury


Weta Workshop, Rivendell, Hobbiton Woods, The Gardens of Isengard, Pelennor Fields and Osgiliath – Wellington

best lotr tours nz
Image Credit: https://www.doc.govt.nz/

Windy Wellington offers a plethora of Lord Of The Rings shooting locations. Follow Gandalf and Saruman’s steps through the Gardens of Isengard at Harcourt Park, or visit Kaitoke Regional Park for the archway into Rivendell. Explore Mount Victoria to find the forked tree where Frodo and Sam first made camp in the Hobbiton Woods.   

Leave Wellington city for a drive up the west coast to Queen Elizabeth Park, where the Nazgul and Mumakil were filmed for the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Further up the coast is Waitarere Forest, which stood in for the mossy expanse of Osgiliath Wood.

Wellington didn’t just star in the Lord Of The Rings, it MADE them. Visit the Weta Cave at Weta Studio where the incredible props, costumes, make-up, and special effects for Lord Of The Rings were created.

Browse Wellington Accommodation


Dimholt Road to the Paths of the Dead – Putangirua Pinnacles

lotr new zealand
Image Credit: We Are Explorers

Discover the looming rock walls of ‘Dimholt Road’ in the wild Wairarapa region. Hike along the Putangirua Pinnacles track to this impressive geological formation, and you’ll be able to spot the areas where Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli rode as they searched for the entrance to the Paths of the Dead in Return Of The King. Reaching this Lord Of The Rings location requires a challenging hike that can take 2-4 hours in total so be prepared and wear good hiking boots!

View our accommodation options in the Wairarapa region


The River Anduin, Dimrill Dale and Amon Hen – Cardrona Valley

cardrona valley nz
Image Credit: Dan Preindl

This is one Lord Of The Rings superfans will appreciate! Take in a panoramic view of Middle Earth from the summit of the Crown Range in Cardrona. To your left flows the Kawarau River, the location for the River Anduin and the (digitally added) Pillars of the Argonath. Look straight ahead to glimpse Dimrill Dale, and past it to Amon Hen on the shore of Nen Hithoel in the distance.

Follow the Crown Range Road into Cardrona Valley and you can drive all the way up to the lookout point.

Explore our Cardrona accommodation


Fangorn Forest – The Milford Track

lord of the rings road trip nz
Image Credit: pkujiahe

Welcome to the magical Milford Sound, the location of Fangorn Forest in The Two Towers.

Explore thundering waterfalls, ancient rainforest and keep an eye out for wildlife as the Milford Track – one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’ and a national favourite – leads you to the remote Milford Sound.  Looking up at the enormous trees it’s easy to imagine the Ents feeling right at home.

Hikes through this Lord Of The Rings location range from one to five days, and while you can walk it on your own, it’s recommended that less experienced hikers take a guided trek. 

Find your base near Milford Sound


Whether you visit just one Lord Of The Rings location or all of them, we’ve got your home away from home sorted. From cosy baches for one or two dwarves, to large villas for a family of hobbits, or luxury hideaways fit for elves, you’re sure to find the perfect accommodation for your adventure.

Explore All Holiday Homes

Share This Post

PrevPreviousWinter is truly here: Epic snow fall at Mt Ruapehu!
NextBest places to mountain bike in New ZealandNext

Latest Posts

  • The North Island Skiing Experience: Where To Go, Stay & Ski
  • What is Matariki?
  • Relax, Reconnect, Celebrate: Mother’s Day Escapes in New Zealand
  • The ultimate guide to skiing in the South Island of New Zealand
  • Anzac Day in Aotearoa: A Time to Reflect, Remember, and Unite

Own a holiday home?

Bachcare can manage your Airbnb across the most popular holiday booking platforms - list your property today!

Find Out More

Uncategorised Related Posts

Mother's Day

Relax, Reconnect, Celebrate: Mother’s Day Escapes in New Zealand

This isn’t just another Sunday. It’s a chance to spend real time with someone who deserves the world. So this

Read More »
Anzac Day Memorial

Anzac Day in Aotearoa: A Time to Reflect, Remember, and Unite

Each year on April 25th, Aotearoa New Zealand stands still. Not in silence alone, but in deep reflection. New Zealanders

Read More »
things to do in whangamata

Activities to do while in Whangamata!

Things to do in Whangamata There’s a lot more to Whangamata than just pretty beaches (although, their beaches are pretty

Read More »

7 Easter treats to enjoy at home!

7 Easter treats to enjoy at home! No doubt you’ll be spending this Easter at home and with your loved

Read More »

2024 Ultimate Guide to Skiing and Snowboarding Retreats in New Zealand

New Zealand has always been a premier destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, drawing thrill-seekers from around the globe. But

Read More »

Weekend Escapes (from Dunedin)

Gearing up for a weekend escape with your loved ones and need some inspiration? We’ve handpicked a few holiday homes

Read More »
Road Trips With Kids

Entertainment For Kids: Travelling On Long Road Trips

Road Trip Activities For Kids Going on a road trip with your kids to the Bach can be a great

Read More »
Things to do in Tauranga

Things To Do In Tauranga

Tauranga is a harborside city in the Bay of Plenty region that buzzes with activity. It catches a lot of

Read More »

Win a Weber Family Q with Bachcare Terms & Conditions

Definitions ‘Bachcare’ is the entity running the promotional activity and is part of Bachcare Limited. The ‘Promoter’ is Bachcare. ‘Disqualified

Read More »

Bachcare $500 Voucher Giveaway – Agricultural Show Terms & Conditions

Definitions ‘Bachcare’ is the entity running the promotional activity and is part of Bachcare Limited. The ‘Promoter’ is Bachcare. ‘Disqualified

Read More »
Things to do in Ohakune, New Zealand

Things to do in Ohakune

Our guide on what to do in Ohakune Ohakune provides the perfect base for some seriously awesome adventures. You’ll find this

Read More »

Things To Do In Mount Maunganui

What to do in Mount Maunganui The beach town of Mount Maunganui is full of surf vibes and a vibrant

Read More »

Castle Hill NZ: A Guide to New Zealand’s Castle Hill

Overview of Castle Hill in New Zealand Castle Hill is a majestic landscape with geological, cultural, and spiritual significance. This

Read More »
Rhythm and Vines

Music Festivals NZ

New Zealand has a ton of music festivals that you have to experience at least once in your life. Across

Read More »
Mardi Gras Ohakune Accommodation

Mardi Gras Ohakune Accommodation

When you think of Mardi Gras, you might think of New Orleans in the United States. However, Mardi Gras is

Read More »

4 Raglan Waterfront Stays Perfect For Your Next Holiday

As any Kiwi will tell you, Raglan is one of New Zealand’s prime holiday destinations. Located in the Waikato region

Read More »

Bachcare Hurricanes Ultimate Ticket and Fan Pack Competition Facebook

Definitions  ‘Bachcare’ is the entity running the promotional activity and is part of Bachcare Limited.  The ‘Promoter’ is Bachcare.  ‘Disqualified

Read More »

Bachcare Hurricanes Ultimate Ticket and Fan Pack Competition Email

Definitions  ‘Bachcare’ is the entity running the promotional activity and is part of Bachcare Limited.  The ‘Promoter’ is Bachcare.  ‘Disqualified

Read More »
Things to do in Castlepoint

Things To Do In Castlepoint, New Zealand

Are you planning to visit New Zealand, but do not want to visit the mainstream locations? Then we’ve got a

Read More »
Wooleys Bay

Woolleys Bay Accommodation & Holiday Homes

If you and your family are heading to the Northland area for your next holiday, take a look at these

Read More »
Things to do in Manawatu

Things To Do in Manawatu

The types of vacations that you can have when visiting Manawatu are endless. You might want to hit the trail

Read More »

Nelson to Blenheim Road Trip

The entire South Island of New Zealand can feel like one beautiful fairy tale. Known for its outdoor adventures and

Read More »

Things to do in Hastings

Hastings Whats To Do Hastings, New Zealand, is an inland city located in Hawke’s Bay on the east coast of

Read More »
Nelson Restaurants

Nelson Restaurants

Our guide to Nelson restaurants! When traveling, it can be difficult to know where to eat, especially in other countries

Read More »
Tokaanu Accommodation

Tokaanu Accommodation

Tokaanu is a small settlement nestled in the centre of the northern island of New Zealand at the south end

Read More »
frankton accommodation header

Bachcare Mothers Day Voucher Competition

Definitions ‘Bachcare’ is the entity running the promotional activity and is part of Bachcare Limited. The ‘Promoter’ is Bachcare. ‘Disqualified Participants’

Read More »
Tiny House NZ

Tiny Homes NZ: Stay in a Tiny House

Minimalistic living is a surging trend and one that opens the door to a simpler life. Though it might seem

Read More »

Bachcare Homeowners Research Prize Draw 

Terms & Conditions All information published by the Promoter on how to enter, and the prize, forms part of these

Read More »

Best Beaches in the Bay Of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty’s Best Beaches The Bay of Plenty is home to New Zealand’s best beaches. From the coastline

Read More »
road trips from auckland

The Best Mount Maunganui Apartments

Apartments in Mount Maunganui If you’re looking for a laid-back beach holiday, Mount Maunganui won’t disappoint. Mount Maunganui has been

Read More »
Cardrona Bra Fence

The Story Behind the Cardrona Bra Fence

Cardrona Bra Fence If you’re making your way to Otago, you won’t want to miss the Cardrona Bra Fence. Coming

Read More »

Bachcare International Happiness Day Voucher Giveaway

‘Bachcare’  is the entity running the promotional activity. The ‘Promoter’ is Bachcare ‘Disqualified Participants’ are: all Bachcare employees, all employees

Read More »

Bachcare x The Fur Love Instagram Giveaway Terms & Conditions

‘Bachcare’  & ‘Furlove’ are the entities running the promotional activity. The ‘Promoter’ is Bachcare and Furlove ‘Disqualified Participants’ are: all

Read More »

Awanui Accommodation

Awanui Holiday Homes & Accommodation Looking for a luxurious family getaway in Awanui? Check out the Awanui Lodge – Whakamoenga

Read More »

9 Things to Do in Manapouri

Manapouri Things To Do Manapouri is a beautiful lakeside town in New Zealand, positioned favorably on the edge of the

Read More »

Everyone Should Go to See the Sheep and Dog of Tirau

The Sheep and Dog of Tirau – New Zealand’s Corrugated Kingdom Anyone traveling to Tirau, New Zealand, would be forever

Read More »
frankton accommodation header

Frankton Accommodation

Accommodation Frankton Queenstown If you’re planning a trip to Frankton and want to find the most comfortable and exciting place

Read More »

Things to do in Papamoa

6 Papamoa Activities Over the years a huge increase of holiday-makers have been flocking to the shores of Papamoa Beach

Read More »
turoa accommodation

Turoa Accommodation

Turoa Ski Accommodation & Holiday Homes Are you looking for a charming holiday home for your family? Whether you are

Read More »
holiday home bbq

Our Top Holiday Homes With BBQs

Holiday Homes With A BBQ The natural beauty and allure of New Zealand’s landscapes make it the ideal location for

Read More »
Tree Church Ohaupo

Tree Church Ohaupo

History of the Tree Church in Ohaupo View this post on Instagram A post shared by Take a Vow, Nicki

Read More »

Things to do in Motueka – The best activities and things to do

Our favourite activities and attractions to do in Motueka Motueka is one of those places where it’s possible to visualize

Read More »

History of the Taihape Gumboot

Taihape Gumboot Sculpture What is the history of the Taihape Gumboot, when was it built, and how do New Zealanders

Read More »

Bachcare x The Fur Love International Dog Day Giveaway Terms & Conditions

‘Bachcare’ & ‘Furlove’ are the entities running the promotional activity. The ‘Promoter’ is Bachcare and Furlove ‘Disqualified Participants’ are: All

Read More »

Embark on an international virtual tour from home!

Fancy travelling without, well, travelling? We’re talking about satisfying some of that wanderlust, without even leaving your front door. With

Read More »

Experience the Great Outdoors: 6 Holiday Spots in NZ

Our favorite holiday locations across NZ New Zealand boasts beautiful, exciting city hubs and tourist spots worth experiencing. Take a

Read More »
frankton accommodation header

Bachcare Guest Survey Voucher Terms and Conditions

Definitions ‘Bachcare’ is the entity running the promotional activity and is part of Bachcare Limited. The ‘Promoter’ is Bachcare. ‘Disqualified

Read More »

Hurricanes Player Promo Code

Terms & Conditions Specific Terms Promo code ‘HURRICANESPLAYER150’ can be redeemed for $150 NZD off a stay at a Bachcare

Read More »

Hurricanes Staff Promo Code

Terms & Conditions Specific Terms Promo code ‘HURRICANESSTAFF150’ can be redeemed for $150 NZD off a stay at a Bachcare

Read More »

Hurricanes Member Promo Code

Terms & Conditions Specific Terms Promo code ‘HURRICANESMEMBER150’ can be redeemed for $150 NZD off a stay at a Bachcare

Read More »

Follow Us

Facebook-f Pinterest Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube

List Your Home

Airbnb Property Management

Bachcare Blog

Things to do in Queenstown

Queenstown Wineries

FAQs

Contact Us

Guest T&Cs

  • Vacancies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Review policy
  • Property Management
    • Property Management Queenstown
    • Property Management Taupo
    • Property Management Rotorua
  • Vacancies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Review policy
  • Property Management
    • Property Management Queenstown
    • Property Management Taupo
    • Property Management Rotorua
© 2025 Bachcare Ltd
  • Vacancies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Review policy
  • Property Management
    • Property Management Queenstown
    • Property Management Taupo
    • Property Management Rotorua
  • Vacancies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Review policy
  • Property Management
    • Property Management Queenstown
    • Property Management Taupo
    • Property Management Rotorua
© 2025 Bachcare Ltd
Search holiday homes
List your home
  • FAQs
  • Contact us
  • Vacancies
  • Guest T&Cs
  • Property Management
    • Property Management Queenstown
    • Property Management Taupo
    • Property Management Rotorua
  • FAQs
  • Contact us
  • Vacancies
  • Guest T&Cs
  • Property Management
    • Property Management Queenstown
    • Property Management Taupo
    • Property Management Rotorua
Instagram Pinterest Facebook