Peter Jackson’s immensely popular film trilogy of JRR Tolkien’s "Lord of the Rings" was filmed in locations throughout New Zealand. Many of Home at First’s New Zealand lodgings are within easy reach of many of the most memorable locations used in the films:

On New Zealand’s North Island—

Waikato: in the middle ground of the North Island, between Auckland and Rotorua. This district of rolling hills and green farmland centered around the town of Matamata was the setting for Hobbiton, home of the Hobbits, where Frodo began his journey. Home at First has lodgings surrounding the Waikato region within easy reach of Matamata at Rotorua, Coromandel, and Tauranga.

Ruapehu: south of Waikato in the high volcanic plateau region south of Taupo, volcanic cones, turquoise lakes, and desert wastes combine to form the stark landscape where Mordor, Ithilien, and Emyn Muil were filmed. Stay nearby at Home at First’s lodgings on Lake Taupo, and hike in Tongariro National Park—but watch out for Mt. Doom and Gollum, the creature.

HIKING AT VOLCANIC TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK.
photo courtesy New Zealand Tourism

Wellington: New Zealand’s capital was home of the Lord of the Rings production company for 3+ years. Liv Tyler shopped here. Within the Wellington region are the outer reaches of the Shire, where Frodo and the Hobbits escaped the Black Riders. Nearby, in the Wairarapa region, are the eerie Putangirua Pinnacles, where Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli sought the Paths of the Dead. Also located near Wellington are the evil tower of Saruman, the hidden refuge of Rivendell and the encampment of Dunharro. Home at First’s Wellington city lodgings are ideal for exploring this part of Middle-Earth.

On New Zealand’s South Island—

Nelson: the northwest corner of New Zealand’s South Island is a non-fiction wonderland combining secluded coves, wild jungles, and remote, rugged mountains. They became the perfect locations for the fictitious Chetwood Forest, Dimrill Dale, South Rivendell of the trilogy. The region offers more than wild splendor. There’s a hip, coastal university town (Nelson) that is the center of a delightful wine-producing district. A stay at Home at First’s Nelson lodgings puts both worlds within easy reach.

SEA KAYAKING IN ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK, NELSON.
photo courtesy New Zealand Tourism

Canterbury: New Zealand’s second largest city is on the east (Pacific) coast of the South Island. Extending west from Christchurch is the large, fertile Canterbury Plain, an important agricultural region striated with wild, rocky rivers flowing east from the Southern Alps. In the upper Canterbury, Peter Jackson had the Rohirrim city of Edoras built in a deep valley near Mt. Sunday. A stay at Home at First lodgings in Christchurch lets you experience New Zealand’s most British city and explore the varied Canterbury scenery.

Mackenzie Country: here in the high, arid landscape of Mackenzie Country, the grassy plains extend to New Zealand’s highest mountains, the snowcapped Southern Alps, crowned with Mt. Cook. The great battle of Pelennor Fields was filmed here amid dramatic surroundings, when thousands of Sauron’s orcs fought the army of Gondor and Rohan. The battles may have been fiction, but the drama of the fantastic scenery exists. See for yourself by staying at Home at First’s Mackenzie Country lodgings in Lake Tekapo.

MT. COOK & THE SOUTHERN ALPS.
photo courtesy New Zealand Tourism

Queenstown: it’s no surprise that Queenstown—New Zealand’s high adventure capital—was a center for many outdoor locations shot for the Rings trilogy. Easy day-trips from Home at First’s lodgings in Queenstown and Arrowtown reach memorable film locations at Glen Orchy, Deer Park Heights, and other remarkable settings. In addition to seeing where the action was—e.g. where the wargs attacked the Rohan refugees, or where Arwen drove off the fierce Black Riders—you can experience a lot of action on your own. Queenstown offers extreme adventures like jet boating, bungy jumping, and rock climbing, and softer sports like horseback riding, hiking, skiing, and golf. At the end of the day, the region serves its excellent produce and wine at fine restaurants.

Fiordland: the pristine Waiau River wilderness between Te Anau and Manapouri became the River Anduin which transported the Fellowship south from Lothlσrien and the neighboring peaks became the Rivendell highlands. From Home at First’s Fiordland lodgings in Te Anau you can jet boat on the "Anduin" or walk in the mountainous wilderness of the splendid Kepler Track.

MYSTICAL MOUNTAINS OF FIORDLAND.
photo courtesy New Zealand Tourism

Home at First’s New Zealand shares space—if not time—with Middle-Earth. When writer/producer/director Peter Jackson decided to film Tolkien’s "Lord of the Rings" trilogy in his native New Zealand he knew the country’s unique geography ensured an "other-worldliness" perfect for the fantasy series. You can visit the non-fiction other world of New Zealand and see what inspired Jackson. New Zealand will inspire you, too.

Full details about Home at First's travel program to NEW ZEALAND.