Are you a movie lover and a travel enthusiast? Then New Zealand might be one of your dream destinations. The country has long inspired film directors with dramatic landscapes of snow-capped mountains, spectacular fjords, and gorgeous beaches. So, from The Lord of the Rings trilogy to X-Men, here are five movie locations to discover from north to south.
Hobbiton
Ever wanted to follow in the footsteps of Frodo Baggins? Hobbiton is the place to go. The story began in 1998 when Peter Jackson and his crew set to find the perfect location for The Shire as JRR Tolkien depicted it. Looking for rolling hills and lush pastures, they noticed a majestic pine tree overlooking an untouched area in rural Waikato. There was Hobbiton, where Bilbo’s Bag End would eventually sit atop the hill.
Jackson returned to the area in 2009 as he started shooting The Hobbit and left behind 44 Hobbit-holes for international fans to journey through Middle-earth. Although tourists cannot enter the holes, they can enjoy a pint of cider at The Green Dragon Inn or soak in the sights, reliving some of their favourite movie scenes.
Tongariro National Park
The Lord of the Rings is a source of pride for New Zealanders. Visitors are even greeted by a super-sized dwarf statue upon landing at the Auckland airport, and by a Giant Eagle in Wellington. Apart from Hobbiton, therefore, there are dozens of locations to explore for avid Middle-earth fans. But the Tongariro National Park may be one of the most awe-inspiring as it evokes the menacing Mount Doom.
With its barren and rugged volcanic landscape, the park feels like stepping into actual Sauron’s territory. The Whakapapa ski field up north also served as a filming location for Mordor scenes. Several other scenes were shot on-location, all listed by the Department of Conservation.
Paradise
45 minutes away from Queenstown, the small town of Glenorchy is heaven on earth for outdoor enthusiasts. Nestled within the Southern Lakes region, the area boasts some of New Zealand’s most scenic hiking and horse trekking trails. And at the end of the Glenorchy road stands Paradise.
Legend doesn’t say where this name originally came from, although Sir Ian Mc Kellen (Gandalf’s actor) allegedly called Paradise the Middle-earth he had always pictured. The region was extensively used in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, but it also breathed into life the universe of the Narnia movies. Scenes from Wolverine took place in Paradise as well, such as the Heli fight scene.
Wellington
Wellington was named a UNESCO City of Film for its incredible cinema environment. Recently, King Kong’s Skull Island was filmed in Lyall Bay. Frank Kitts Lagoon took center stage in several Bollywood productions. Of course, many Lord of the Rings scenes settled in Wellington. Visitors can also get a behind-the-scene look at venues like the Weta Cave, which features props and costumes, besides an insider’s look into the workshop’s unique crafts.
New Zealand capital is, therefore, a must-stop to immerse in The Lord of the Rings phenomenon, which gave the world Oscar-winning films, and even video games. Sadly, there is no land-based casino to try out LotR machine slots in Wellington. But gamers can go virtual and pick on online casino reviews for New Zealand. Experts have reviewed dozens of websites to select reputable, and profitable NZ online platforms. They have personally tested bonuses, customer support, and even softwares to ensure a top-notch experience. So, from Tolkien-inspired slots to live poker, gamblers can browse the world’s largest library of games on all devices.
Cathedral Cove
The Coromandel Peninsula was a highlight of our northern New Zealand trip. But if we only saw the prime attraction of Cathedral Cove from afar, movie buffs might want to get closer. Indeed, these iconic rocky arches appeared on screen in the Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian. This sandy beach stood as the entry point of the Pevensie kids at the beginning of the movie, as much as a vantage point on the ruins of Cair Paravel.
Visitors can easily access the location through a dedicated trail from Hahei Beach, offering some stunning coastal views along the way. Boat trips on the Pacific Ocean are another top-rated activity. And sports enthusiasts can even kayak their way to the cove.
You might find my post on 15-day New Zealand itinerary helpful.