If you are a fan of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, you have probably wondered why "One does not simply walk into Mordor..." In some cases you must hire a helicopter, or hike through rugged terrain. Other locations are more urban and may be easily reached by a vehicle. Sometimes the roads to the more remote locations can be washed out due to flooding. Wherever your path takes you, always be safe and prepared. You wouldn't want to miss elevensies after all.
If you are seriously considering a visit to New Zealand someday to see the filming locations, I suggest looking at the books written by Ian Brodie. They are considered to be comprehensive guides to the filming locations.
Lake Pukkaki was the filming location for Laketown from the Hobbit films, as well as some forested shots of the Lonely Mountain from the surrounding area.
Pelorus River // Barrel River Scene
The scenes in which the dwarves go bobbing down the river in barrels was filmed on the Pelorus River. There are guided kayak tours available, if overlooking the river from a walking trail isn't exciting enough for you.
Mount Cook // Aerial Footage Backdrop from The Hobbit
Mount Cook is home to some of the stunning aerial vistas filmed in the Hobbit trilogy.
Turoa in Ruapehu // Mt. Doom, Hidden Bay
Turoa is home to ski slopes as well as the Lonely Mountain, having been used as the filming location for the hidden entrance to the lonely mountain. Shots of Mount Doom were also filmed nearby.
Mangaotaki Valley // Trollshaws Forest
Located in this unique valley, home to the Mangaotaki Rocks are a number of filming locations from the Hobbit trilogy. You can pay for a guided tour of the filming locations through the 'Hairy Feet Waitomo Scenic Film Location Tours' company.
Takaro Road // Fanghorn Forest
Near the town of Te Anau, off of Takaro Road lies the filming location of Fanghorn Forest.
Waiau River // River Anduin
The River Anduin was filmed in several locations, including the Waiau River. The scene in which the Fellowship paddles away from Lothlorien was filmed here, between the towns of Te Anau and Manapouri, accessible by vehicle.
Nen Hithoel // Amon Hen
The river scenes of the Amon Hen area were filmed on the banks of the Nen Hithoel river. There is a picture stop to mark the location, easily accessed by vehicle.
Chard Farm Winery // Anduin and Argonath
The winery itself is not a filming location, but rather it has an excellent view overlooking the river filming location for the scenes with the two pillars, Anduin and Argonath. Please note that the giant statues themselves were added with CGI, and that there are no actual structures to see.
Wilcox Green // Gladden Fields
This was the area where Isildur was attacked and killed after obtaining the ring of power in the opening prologue. Luckily, you won't have to kill yourself to get to Wilcox Green, it's an easy walk in Arrowtown.
Arrow River // Ford of Bruinen
Filmed on the Arrow River, the scene in which Arwen sweeps away the Nazgul in the river is an easy walk in Arrowtown. If you want to see where the rest of the chase scenes were filmed, you will have to go elsewhere.
Mount Earnslaw // Two Towers Opening, Lothlorien
The stunning opening aerial footage from The Two Towers was filmed at Mount Earnslaw. Earnslaw Glacier is also home to several stunning waterfalls. Nearby lies the town of Glenorchy, where you can find your way to the filming location for the forest of Lothlorien.
Twizel // Battle of Pelennor Fields
The majority of the battle of Pelennor Fields was filmed in the small town of Twizel, on private land. You can contact the town for a tour however.
Mount Sunday // Edoras
The set of Edoras, long since torn down was filmed on a hill known as Mount Sunday. There is road access and a place to park fairly close by, but you must walk in the rest of the way.
Mount Olympus // Dimrill Dale
Located deep within Kahurangi National Park, these mountains are accessible only by helicopter. Local pilots can fly you over the scene of Dimrill Dale if asked, where the Fellowship hid from Saruman's crebain.
Mount Owen // Dimrill Dale
Located deep within Kahurangi National Park, these mountains are accessible only by helicopter. Local pilots can fly you over the scene of Dimrill Dale if asked, where the Fellowship hid from Saruman's crebain.
Putangirua Pinnacles // Paths of the Dead
Even before it was the filming location for the paths of the dead in Return of the King, this area was a must see destination with its spectacular rock formations. Road access will take you fairly close, but you will have to hike in the rest of the way.
Queen Elizabeth Park // Battle of Pelennor Fields
Located near Paraparaumu on the coast, right off a highway, this park was one of the filming locations for the Battle of Pelennor Fields.
Matamata // Hobbiton
Matamata is home to the set of Hobbiton village from both the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. The original set from the Lord of the Rings movies was temporary and torn down after filming, but later rebuilt for the filming of The Hobbit films. It has since been left up and turned into a tourist attraction. You can even go have a pint at the Green Dragon!
Mount Victoria // Hobbiton Forest
The name "Mount" Victoria is a bit misleading. It's really more of a tree covered hill, located near the city center of Wellington. Easily accessible by foot, you can see where Frodo and the other hobbits hid from the Nazgul riders outside of Hobbiton. Get off the road!
Hutt River // Anduin River
Outside of Wellington you can find the Hutt River, where some shots of the River Anduin were filmed.
Harcourt Park // Gardens of Isengard
Harcourt Park is a rather large, public park where they filmed the scenes with Gandalf and Saruman walking through the gardens of Isengard.
Kaitoke Regional Park // Rivendell
Rivendell was filmed in this stunning regional park. The exact location is marked by a sign, not far from a parking lot.
