Ever wanted to visit one of the film sets where Lord of The Rings was filmed? Many big name movies have been filmed in some stunning New Zealand locations. Here’s a list for all the movie buffs out there!
1. Hobbiton Movie Set – Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit
The Hobbiton Movie Set has to be at the top of this list, with many people travelling to the small town of Matamata to visit this wonderland. Experience Middle-earth in New Zealand, with a tour through the ‘Shire’ as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
2. Whangara – Whale Rider
This movie is based on a novel about a 12-year-old Māori girl whose ambition is to become the chief of her tribe. A fantastic film with a powerful storyline. Whangara is a very small town on the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Filming was also done in parts of Auckland.
3. Lyall Bay, Wellington – King Kong
Lyall Bay is a well-known surf beach in New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. It’s an easily accessible and very scenic bay. King Kong fans can start here, with scenes having been filmed on these waters. Fans will have a real adventure visiting all the King Kong movie locations around the country.
4. Mount Taranaki – The Last Samurai
Mount Taranaki played Mount Fuji in the film, The Last Samurai. A fantastic stand-in for an iconic mountain. Mount Taranaki is in the Taranaki region and is a quiescent volcano – not active but still registering seismic activity. It’s an extremely photogenic location and one that is popular among movie buffs and travellers alike.
5. Cathedral Cove – The Chronicles of Narnia
Cathedral Cove is a stunning spot with iconic photo compositions in its own right. Featuring in The Chronicles of Narnia, Cathedral Cove is where the Pevensie siblings discover the ruins of Cair Paravel. Scenes, where the characters take their first steps back into Narnia, make the Coromandel Peninsula an exciting spot to visit!
6. Oreti Beach – The World’s Fastest Indian
The World’s Fastest Indian is an uplifting and inspiring kiwi movie shot in Oreti Beach. This beach is just a 10-minute drive from the city of Invercargill and boasts some great Southland sand.
7. Mt Ngauruhoe – The Lord of the Rings
Mt Ngauruhoe is the legendary Mt Doom in The Lord of the Rings films. This mountain in Tongariro National Park looks a lot more intimidating when it is featured in these great movies, although it is one of three active volcanoes in the area.
