The Hobbit Movie Tours
Film fans enjoy journeying to the locations used in The Lord of the Rings movies with specialised Lord of the Rings tours, devised by New Zealand tour operators and accommodation providers. The Hobbit film's outdoor locations also include remote and beautiful destinations to once again create the stunning and unforgettable landscapes of Middle Earth in New Zealand.
The Story
The Hobbit was written as a fairy tale for children by J. R. R. Tolkien during the 1920s and was first published in 1937. It charts the journey of the hobbit, Bilbo who after being urged to do so by the wizard, Gandalf, leads thirteen militant dwarves on an epic journey to retrieve their treasure from the dragon, Smaug. En route, the group have many adventures encountering goblins, the elf-king Elrond, wargs, Gollum, eagles, Beorn, giant spiders and many more magical, mystical creatures.
Hobbit Locations
Although much of the filming of The Hobbit will be done in Wellington on sets in Peter Jackson's studios, the following New Zealand destinations are:
- Aratiatia Rapids – You can visit the Aratiatia Dam (above Taupo's Huka Falls), to watch the spillway open and release the power of the Waikato River - this area has been confirmed as a filming location.
- Matamata – This rural town in the Waikato (North Island) displays a sign saying, 'Welcome to Hobbiton' and a return to the Hobbiton set on a local farm has already been confirmed by the producers. Find out more about the Waikato.
- Lake Wanaka – A possible candidate for Laketown, the town devastated by the wrath of the dragon, Smaug. Find out more about the Wanaka region.
- Mt Taranaki – A possible candidate for the Lonely Mountain (since local Iwi refused the use of Mt Ngauruhoe in filming as they consider it sacred).
Other favourite contenders for location filming include: Ruapehu, Taranaki and Queenstown Lakes.
More Information
Find out more about film tours already available in New Zealand including:
- Lord of the Rings film tours in New Zealand
- Film and Theme tours in New Zealand
- Hobbit Movie Set and Locations tours in New Zealand
Find out more about specialised tours in New Zealand.
More about The Hobbit in New Zealand.
