Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MIDDLE-EARTH TOURISM
If you are one of those travellers inspired to come down under by the scenery of the
Lord of the Rings
movies,
you won't be disappointed. Jackson's decision to film in NZ wasn't mere patriotism. Nowhere else on earth will
you find such wildly varied, unspoiled landscapes - not to mention poorly paid actors.
You will doubtless recognise some places from the films. For example, Hobbiton (near Matamata), Mt Doom
(instantly recognisable as towering Ngauruhoe) and the Misty Mountains (the South Island's Southern Alps). The
visitor information centres in Wellington, Twizel or Queenstown should be able to direct you to local
LOTR
sites
of interest. If you're serious about finding the exact spots where scenes were filmed, buy a copy of Ian Brodie's
nerdtastic
The Lord of the Rings: Location Guidebook,
which includes instructions, and even GPS coordinates,
for finding all the important places.
