Hobbiton
The rolling hills of The Shire were once again brought to life near Matamata, where Hobbiton was re-built for The Hobbit Trilogy. Also used in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Hobbiton has remained open as an attraction for Middle-earth fans. Enjoy peering over a Hobbit’s front gate, dancing under the party tree or swigging back a beer at The Green Dragon Inn.
Piopio
The looming cliffs, unusual limestone rock formations and prehistoric forest at Mangaotaki Rocks in Piopio looks as if it has been created especially to form the backdrop for Middle-earth. This area provided the location for Trollshaws Forest and Staddles Farm where a number of scenes from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journeywere shot; including The Company arriving at a destroyed farmhouse, the exit from the Troll Hoard Cave, Gandalf bestowing Sting upon Bilbo, Radagast's arrival and the Gundabad Wargs and Orcs attack.
Nelson
New Zealand’s sunniest region, Nelson, provided the backdrop for several locations inThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The exact locations were filmed on private property, but visitors can get a good feel for these locations with a horse trek. Ride across neighbouring private farmland to the dramatic cliff drop which offers spectacular coastal views over Golden Bay.
Twizel
Twizel's alpine magic was captured on-film in both The Hobbit:An Unexpected Journey and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Part of the Wargs chase was filmed here; and the largest battle scene ever - the Battle of the Pelennor Fields - was set in a remote Twizel field. Twizel is home to a charming mountain town, and a road trip around the local area will give you a feel for the spectacular scenes that were filmed
Mount Cook
Mount Cook and it's surrounding alpine peaks are used in the backdrop of some of the aerial filming in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Visit Aoraki Mount Cook National Park for a range of walking tracks and scenic views.
Queenstown
One of the most magical locations in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; Earnslaw Burn is a glacier that has created a number of cascading waterfalls that tumble down a huge rock face. Here, Bilbo and The Company are filmed continuing on their quest after departing Rivendell. The Earnslaw Burn Track - beginning in Glenorchy - is a challenging 4-hour hike that rewards with spectacular views at the head of the valley over the glacier and beyond.
Wanaka
The world-class ski area of Treble Cone was another filming location, and is famous for its off-piste terrain and unrivalled views across Lake Wanaka and the Central Otagoregion. The skifield is abuzz during winter months and has the longest vertical run in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Alpine Peaks in the Wanaka region was also described as 'Wild Country' for the first film and provided the backdrop for soaring eagles.
Pelorus River, Marlborough
Peter Jackson chose the Pelorus River to film the dwarves in barrels scene that appears in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Here, the dwarves were filmed floating in giant barrels down the river. Stephen Hunter, who played dwarf Bombur, called this experience 'his favourite day on set'. You can experience this exact location for yourself with an easy riverside walk, or take a guided kayak tour.
Fiordland National Park
Both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogies used the majestic Fiordland National Park for epic scenic shots. The scene where The Company flees the mountains on the backs of eagles in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was filmed here also. Experience giant fiords and spectacular waterfalls with a helicopter flight or boat cruise.
The grasslands of Te Anau Downs provided the backdrop for chase scenes, while Mararoa Saddle doubled as the wildlands which Thorin leads the dwarves through.
Turoa, Ruapehu
The rocky slopes and grassy tussock of Turoa in Ruapehu was the setting for Hidden Bay, the entrance to the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Turoa is a popular ski field on Mt Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park. The area is also known for its breathtaking cycling and hiking trails, including The Tongariro Crossing which is considered one of the best one day walks in the world. Crew filmed here for one day, in which giant scaffolding was built down to the site in order to protect native flora and fauna on the mountain.
Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook
Stunning Lake Pukaki was chosen as the location for Laketown in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Glacial lakes feed into Lake Pukaki giving the water its vibrant blue colour. The lake is also a favourite fishing, walking and cycling spot, while the snowcapped Mt Cook overlooking the lake is busy with skiers during the winter months.
Braemar Station at Lake Pukaki was used in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to portray epic scenic shots, the 'Warg Chase' and approach to Rivendell. The property was also used for the forest slopes of Misty Mountains.