Lord of the Rings Film Locations

Rent a car or campervan and discover LOTR film locations on your New Zealand road trip!

New Zealand accommodation ranging from holiday parks and motels to B&Bs and lodges can be found in the most remote locations so you’ll always find a place to sleep. And while it’s great fun to go walking and hiking following the footsteps of Hobbits and Elves, remember not to miss out on other iconic New Zealand activities! Book your adrenaline rush and water activities and don’t forget to soak up New Zealand culture either. Us Kiwis are at least as friendly and welcoming as the Hobbits, and just as the Hobbits grow good fresh food in their Hobbiton gardens, New Zealand offers scrumptious cuisine to keep you full and happy during your LOTR road trip!

North Island LOTR Film Locations

Alexander Farm near Matamata (Waikato) – Hobbiton and The Shire
Mount Ruapehu (Ruapehu) – Mount Doom
Tongariro National Park (Tongariro Crossing, Ruapehu) – Emyn Muil and Mordor
Whakapapa Ski Area (Ruapehu) – Mordor
Mangawhero River (Ruapehu) – Ithilien and Mordor
Tukino Ski Field (Ruapehu) – Gates of Mordor
Putangirua Pinnacles (Wairarapa) – Dimholt Road

South Island LOTR Film Locations

Queenstown region – Eregion Hills and Pillars of Argonath
Mount Sunday and Mount Potts (Canterbury) – Edoras
The Remarkables (Queenstown) – Isengard and Misty Mountains
Skippers Canyon (Queenstown) – Ford of Bruinen
Dan’s Paddock (Queenstown) – Isengard
Twelve Mile Delta (Queenstown) – Ithilien Camp
Kawarau Suspension Bridge (Queenstown) – Argonath on the Anduin River
Mount Owen (Nelson) – Dimrill Dale
Mount Olympus and Boulder Lake (Canterbury) – Rivendell
Mount Gunn (near Franz Josef Glacier, West Coast) – Ered Nimrais
North Mavora Lake (Southland) – Nen Hithoel
Mararoa River Swingbridge (South Mavora Lake, Southland) – Silverlode and Anduin Rivers
Mavora Lakes (Southland) – Fangorn Forest Edge
Bog Pine Paddock (Southland) – Fangorn Forest
Waiau River (Southland) – Anduin River
Kepler Mine (Fiordland) – Dead Marshers