5 Lord Of The Rings Inspired Things To Do On Your New Zealand Road Trip
By Wild Kiwi Team published on 23 April 2018
New Zealand is the location that helped Peter Jackson bring the landscapes of Middle-earth to life on screen, and so we’ve pencilled in plenty of Lord of the Rings related opportunities into our Wild Kiwi Tour itineraries – why WOULDN’T we?!
Look Out For Filming Locations As You Wander Around Wellington
Wellington is a hot spot for LOTR filming locations. As well as revealing incredible views over the city, climbing up Mount Victoria will also lead you to a forested area which you may recognise as Hobbiton Woods. Also, the Hutt River became the River Anduin and you’ll probably recognise Harcourt Park as the spectacular Gardens of Isengard.
Experience Mount Doom On Your Wild Kiwi Tour
Yep, seriously! Its actual name is Mount Ngauruhoe and as an active stratovolcano, it’s wildly atmospheric. Also, if you want to follow in Frodo’s footsteps and climb to the top, you totally can! Pretty cool, right?
Weta Cave Workshop Tour
Discover the processes that go into transforming fictional worlds into landscapes that feel SO real. See artefacts and props from a variety of films alongside the Lord of the Rings, including Thunderbirds, The Chronicles of Narnia and Avatar. Snap an epic selfie or two with some life-sized sculptures, and even catch a glimpse of their artists at work!
Walk Through Mordor
The Tongariro Crossing is a walk that typically takes between 7 and 8 hours to complete, but as you’ll feel like you’re actually walking through Mordor whilst also taking in panoramic views of volcanic craters and sparkling emerald lakes, it’s an unforgettable journey that is 100% worth every single step.
Go Behind The Scenes On A Magical Tour Of Hobbiton
No New Zealand Lord of the Rings adventure could possibly be complete without a visit to Hobbiton! Explore the Shire, pester your guide for all the gossip that went down behind the scenes, and sit down to enjoy a handcrafted ale, cider or ginger beer in The Green Dragon. And yes, it’s even more amazing than it sounds!
