News
Trends
Celebrities
Interviews
Jet Set Pet
Suite Dreams
Top 5
Weekend Away
Specials
Family Vacation Packages
Romantic & Honeymoon Packages
Spa & Wellness Packages
Destination Weddings
Girls Getaways
Spring Specials
Summer Specials
Winter Specials
Destinations
Articles
Hotels
Hot Hotel Openings
Beach & Island Resorts
5-Star City Hotels
Adventure & Eco Lodges
Boutique City Hotels
Country House Hotels
Family Resorts
Romantic Retreats
Guest Ranches
Safari Camps & Lodges
Golf Resorts & Lodges
Spa Resorts & Wellness Retreats
Ski Resorts & Lodges
Wine Country Getaways
Villas
Beach Villas
Country Villas
Golf Villas
Ski Villas
Villas
Residences
Trips/Cruises
Cruises & Yachting
Rail Journeys
Ultimate Adventures
Private Jet Travel
Safaris
Family Travel
Travel Tips
Business Travel
Airline News
Arts/Culture
Events
Food/Wine
Restaurants
Bars & Nightclubs
Afternoon Tea
Coffee
Culinary Travel
Wine Travel
Spa/Sport
Spa & Wellness Retreats
Yoga & Hiking
Golf Getaways
Ski Vacations
Shop/Style
Gift Guide
Beach and Resortwear
Beauty and Fragrance
Books
Fashion
Home Style
Luggage and Handbags
Luxury Autos
Men's Style
Travel Essentials
Watches & Jewelry
Wine and Spirits
World's Most Expensive
Home Page
News
Journey to New Zealand, Home of Middle-earth
January 7, 2015
Fans of Sir Peter Jackson's famed Hobbit trilogies can now follow in the footsteps of the cast and crew and journey through New Zealand taking in remarkable and diverse natural landscape while enjoying the warm hospitality Kiwis are known for.
Where better to start the journey than where the trilogy begins, at the Shire; the idyllic home of the Hobbits. Hobbiton Movie Set, near Matamata is the original movie set complete with Hobbit holes, The Green Dragon Inn, the mill, double arched bridge and other structures and gardens built for the films.
Heading in a southerly direction, in under two hours, travellers arrive at the King Country with its distinct karst formations - the unmistakable site of Trollshaws forest. At Denize Bluffs, the Mangaotaki Rocks near Piopio village provided the backdrop for the Company as they travelled en route to Rivendell where they encounter the stone trolls in the first movie. Hairy Feet Waitomo Scenic Film Location Tour offers twice daily guided tours through the staggering valley landscape.
From here, head South towards Mt Ruapehu's Turoa ski field to reach the location of Hidden Bay, the secret door that leads into the Lonely Mountain, or Erebor in the Hobbit films. To see this as is in the film, visitors must go in the summer months when there is no snow.
Wellington, also affectionately referred to as Wellywood, is the political and cultural capital of New Zealand, home to Sir Peter Jackson and his creative entities 3 Foot 7, Wingnut Films, Weta Workshop and Weta Digital. Weta Cave Workshop in the suburb Miramaroffers tours with stories of the creative process told by the film's crew members using props and models and glimpse into the workshop where you get to see creativity and imagination make movie magic.
With a mild climate, Nelson on the top of the South Island draws visitors year-round. The nearby Mount Owen in Kahurangi was used to film the scene depicting the eastern exit from the Mines of Moria in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Nelson itself, renowned for arts and crafts, has more than 300 artisans living and working in the region. Among them, is Jens Hansen Goldsmith The Ringmaker on Trafalgar Square in central Nelson who successfully submitted the design for the One Ring. In total, 40 rings were made, and one of the originals is still on display in the store.
An hour's drive from Nelson is Havelock, a laid-back coastal village also known as the green-shell mussel capital of the world. From here, visitors can easily access the Pelorus Bridge across the Pelorus River which meanders through one of the last river-flat forests in the Marlborough region. This is instantly recognisable as the spot where the dwarves and Bilbo Baggins were washed ashore following their escape from capture by King Thranduil and chased by Orcs, down the Forest River. Pelorus Eco Adventures offers rides on inflatable canoes past the waterfall.
For outstanding natural beauty unaltered by advanced CGI technology, allow plenty of time to explore the vibrant blue Lake Pukaki in Mackenzie Basin. Set against the striking backdrop of Aoraki / Mount Cook, this is the location of Laketown in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
And then of course there's Queenstown, one of New Zealand's top visitor destinations and also the living set of Dimrill Dale (The Remarkables), the Ford of Bruinen (Skippers Canyon and Arrow River) and Pillars of the Kings (Kawarau River).
To get your bearings, scenic flights such as those offered by Queenstown based Heliworks are a great way to take in multiple locations from the sky, and many of the packages on offer include landings allowing access to the more remote and hard to reach filming locations. Those travelling by land, with 4WD operators such as Nomad Safaris, can head towards Glenorchy and the Paradise Valley to visit Isengard, Ithilien Camp, the Lothlorien forest and the vast glacier of Mt Earnslaw, Earnslaw Burn, where the dwarves climbing towards the Misty Mountains was shot.
For a truly holistic Hobbit experience, Air New Zealand, the official Airline of Middle-earth recommences its Singapore - Auckland route from 6 January 2015. Passengers and movie fans alike can expect world class award-winning service, as well as the chance to try out the airline's signature Economy Skycouch™, not to mention The Most Epic Safety Video Ever Made featuring members of the cast from all three films in the Trilogy and cameos from The Hobbit Trilogy director Sir Peter Jackson himself. With this new alliance between Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines, travelers can now enjoy three flights a day between Singapore and New Zealand.
With all this and more, visitors to New Zealand are sure to enjoy an unexpected journey of their own.
More information on New Zealand can be found at:
https://www.newzealand.com
Like Us
Facebook
Follow Us
Twitter
Follow us
Instagram
Sign-up for Our Email Newsletter
FIND A LUXURY HOTEL & BOOK WITH EXCLUSIVE PERKS!
Andorra
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Bhutan
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Canada
Cayman Islands
Chile
China
Colombia
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Curacao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
England
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji Islands
Finland
France
French Polynesia
Galapagos
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Kuwait
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Martinique
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Norway
Oman
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Russia
Scotland
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
St Vincent & the Grenadines
St. Barthelemy
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Martin
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Turkey
Turks & Caicos
U.S. Virgin Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Wales
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Beach
City
Coastal
Countryside
Desert
Golf Course
Island
Jungle
Lakeside
Mountains
Remote
Waterfront
Wilderness
Adventure/Eco/Nature
Culture
Business Meeting
Casino/Gambling
Food & Wine
Family Vacation
Golf Getaway
Pet Friendly
Romantic Getaway
Safari
Scuba Diving
Shopping & Fashion
Ski Vacation
Spa & Wellness
Villas
Wedding
Wineries / Wine Tasting
Luxury Partners
Villa Lala — Romantic Boutique Hotel in Puerto Vallarta
Cabo Platinum - Cabo San Lucas Luxury Villas, Yachts & Concierge Services
Villa Firenze Costa Rica
JUP - Personal Service for Buying and Selling Real Estate in Jupiter, Florida
Polaris Slingshot - A three-wheeled sensation that re-ignites your love for driving
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa - Rancho Santa Fe, California - One of the West’s most sought-after five star resorts
Tuscan Dream - Immerse Yourself in the Tuscan Villa Vacation Experience
Grand Hotel Portovenere - Cinque Terre - Discover this beautiful region of Italy!
Dude Ranchers Association - An all-inclusive vacation experience like no other
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel - Santa Barbara, California - Experience timeless Californian glamor.
The Ranch Italy at Palazzo Fiuggi - The Ranch Malibu brings its award winning wellness program just 50 minutes from Rome.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa - Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii - Beachfront Resort
Culture, Spirituality, and Wellness in Japan's Tochigi Prefecture
Blue Waters Resort & Spa - Antigua - A hidden gem nestled in a private bay on Antigua's northwestern coast with sunset views
A.M.A Selections - Luxury Villa Rentals throughout Europe
Come Together Wellness - Rest, Restore & Explore on Kauai
Red Savannah: Luxury Villas and Tailor-Made Holidays
Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun, Mexico - Adults Only, All Inclusive
Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort - Porto Ercole, Tuscany, Italy
The Kayon Jungle Resort - Ubud, Bali, Indonesia - a sanctuary of tropical indulgence.
Porto Zante Villas & Spa - Zakynthos, Greece - The leading villa resort in Europe
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac - Quebec City, Canada - Breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and the UNESCO Old fortified city