New Zealand doubled as Middle-earth, Narnia, and Mission: Impossible territory. Here is where the cameras rolled and which tours take travellers there.
New Zealand's landscapes anchored The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, plus Narnia and Mission: Impossible titles. Key sites include the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata, Mount Ngauruhoe in Tongariro National Park, and Kaitoke Regional Park near Wellington. Guided tours from Auckland and Wellington cover these locations, some pairing them with the Wētā Workshop studio experience.
Few countries owe as much of their visitor appeal to the big screen as New Zealand. Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001 to 2003) and The Hobbit trilogy (2012 to 2014) turned its coastlines, alpine terrain, and forests into Middle-earth, and fans have been arriving ever since. The country's screen industry estimates $2.7 billion in expenditure linked to productions, with 15.9 percent of visitors citing screen influences on their travel.
The appeal goes beyond Tolkien. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) shot in Oamaru's heritage precinct, Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) staged helicopter chases around Queenstown and Glenorchy, and The Power of the Dog (2021) used Queenstown Hill and the Otago region. Screen tourism here spans fantasy epics, thrillers, and television drama alike.
Both islands carry production credits. The North Island holds Hobbiton and the volcanic landscapes of Tongariro National Park, while the South Island supplied Edoras, Rohan territory, Lake-town, and the battle sequences of The Return of the King and The Battle of the Five Armies. Queenstown alone accounts for Mission: Impossible - Fallout, The Power of the Dog, and the television series Top of the Lake (2013), which filmed around the town and Glenorchy.
| Title | Year | Type | What was filmed here |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring | 2001 | Film | Multiple locations across both islands including Hobbiton, Rivendell, and Mount Doom |
| The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers | 2002 | Film | Edoras, Isengard, and Rohan landscapes |
| The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | 2003 | Film | Pelennor Fields, Minas Tirith approaches, and additional South Island sites |
| The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey | 2012 | Film | Hobbiton, Misty Mountains, and Lake-town shores |
| The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug | 2013 | Film | Lake-town, Mirkwood, and barrel escape river |
| The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies | 2014 | Film | Erebor and battle sequences in South Island highlands |
| The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | 2005 | Film | Oamaru heritage precinct and other South Island sites |
| Mission: Impossible - Fallout | 2018 | Film | Queenstown helicopter chase scenes and Glenorchy surrounds |
| The Power of the Dog | 2021 | Film | Queenstown Hill and Otago landscapes |
| Top of the Lake | 2013 | TV | Queenstown and Glenorchy lake and mountain settings |
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Waikato, Matamata Ticketed
Filmed here: The Shire village including Bag End, Party Tree, and hobbit holes
The most visited film site in the country, this working farm near Matamata in the Waikato region contains the permanent Shire village built for The Hobbit, including Bag End, the Party Tree, and dozens of hobbit holes. Access is by guided tour only and advance booking is advised. A cafe and shop operate on site, and the set is open daily.
Manawatu-Whanganui, Tongariro National Park Free to see
Filmed here: Mount Doom exteriors and volcanic landscapes
This active volcano in Tongariro National Park stood in for Mount Doom in The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King. It sits along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a strenuous hike where weather and permit conditions should be checked before setting out. The surrounding volcanic terrain appears throughout the films' Mordor sequences.
Wellington, Upper Hutt Free to see
Filmed here: Rivendell forest exteriors and river scenes
The forest exteriors and river scenes of Rivendell were filmed in this park in Upper Hutt, near Wellington. Entry is free, and a short walk from the car park leads to a replica arch marking the filming spot. Camping and swimming are available, making it an easy half-day trip from the capital.
Wellington is also home to the Wētā Workshop Experience at 1 Weka Street, Miramar, the special effects house behind The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Avatar. The 90-minute guided tour covers props, creatures, and effects, with hands-on activities and the Wētā Cave shop attached. Several Wellington tours bundle the workshop visit with location stops and meals, which suits travellers who want the craft side of filmmaking alongside the scenery.
Most bookable film experiences cluster around two hubs: Auckland, the practical base for day trips to Hobbiton, and Wellington, where location tours combine sites like Kaitoke with the Wētā Workshop. Options range from a straightforward Hobbiton entry ticket to full-day and private Lord of the Rings itineraries with lunch, keepsakes, or a themed feast. Ratings across these tours run high, frequently between 4.6 and 5.
Hobbiton Movie Set: Guided Tour Ticket
A direct guided tour ticket to the Hobbiton Movie Set, rated 4.9 from 8,930 reviews and priced at $73, the simplest way onto the Shire's grounds.
Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest
A walking tour of the Hobbiton set starting from Shires Rest, rated 4.8 across 4,029 reviews, for those already making their own way to Matamata.
Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch
The original Wellington Lord of the Rings experience with a 4.8 rating from 603 reviews, pairing film locations with the Weta Workshop and lunch included.
Wellington: Original LOTR Half-Day Experience with Weta
A half-day Wellington Lord of the Rings experience including the Weta tour, at $98 with a 4.8 rating from 433 reviews, a solid mid-length option.
Wellington's Original HD LOTR Experience - includes Weta Tour
A half-day version of the original Wellington LOTR experience with the Weta tour included, rated 4.6 from 334 reviews.
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with lunch from Auckland
A Hobbiton Movie Set tour with lunch departing from Auckland, rated 4.8 from 228 reviews, ideal for visitors based in the city.
Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour
A full-day tour of Lord of the Rings locations around Wellington, rated 4.6 from 164 reviews, for travellers wanting maximum coverage.
Lord of The Rings Full Day locations tour incl Weta & keepsake
A full-day locations tour including Weta and a keepsake, holding a perfect 5 rating from 34 reviews, a strong pick for dedicated fans.
Wellington: Half-Day Lord of the Rings Locations Tour
A half-day locations tour at $110 with a 4.7 rating, focused on filming sites around Wellington without the studio visit.
Wellington: Lord of the Rings Half-Day Guided Tour inc Weta
A half-day guided tour including the Weta experience, carrying a 5 rating from early reviewers.
Wellington Lord of the Rings 6-8 hour Private Tour & Feast
A private six to eight hour Wellington Lord of the Rings tour ending with a themed feast, rated 5 by small numbers of reviewers, aimed at groups wanting a bespoke day.
Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour with Cheeky Kiwi Travel
A small-group Hobbiton tour from Auckland, suited to travellers who prefer a shared but intimate vehicle.
No. The Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata is accessible only on guided tours, which should be booked in advance. The site is open daily and has a cafe and shop.
Mount Ngauruhoe in Tongariro National Park stood in for Mount Doom in The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King. It forms part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a strenuous hike where weather and permits should be checked first.
The Rivendell forest and river scenes were filmed at Kaitoke Regional Park in Upper Hutt, near Wellington. Entry is free, and a short walk from the car park reaches a replica arch from the production.
The Weta Workshop Experience in Miramar, Wellington, is a 90-minute guided tour of props, creatures, and effects from The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Avatar, with hands-on activities and the Weta Cave shop on site.
Wellington has the deepest offering, with half-day and full-day tours covering locations such as Kaitoke plus the Weta Workshop. Auckland suits travellers focused on Hobbiton, with day trips including lunch options.
Yes. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe filmed at Oamaru's heritage precinct, Mission: Impossible - Fallout shot helicopter chases around Queenstown and Glenorchy, and The Power of the Dog used Queenstown Hill and Otago landscapes.
New Zealand delivers screen tourism at a scale few destinations match: a permanent Hobbiton set, a hikeable Mount Doom, free-access Rivendell, and a working effects studio in Wellington. Base an Auckland stay around a Hobbiton day trip, or spend a full day in Wellington pairing locations with the Weta Workshop. Either way, book Hobbiton ahead, since guided-only access makes it the country's most in-demand film site.
Before You Go
The tours travellers book most for New Zealand.
