Mordor
Tongariro National Park is home to Mount Doom, Mordor and Emyn Muil and some of New Zealand's most incredible scenery.
Tongariro National Park is home to Mount Doom, Mordor and Emyn Muil and some of New Zealand's most incredible scenery. The region is extremely popular for its skiing and for the world-class trout fishing on the vast Lake Taupo. The Park is a World Heritage site comprising three spectacular peaks including the highest mountain in the North Island, Mt Ruapehu. When you look around it will immediately become obvious why the volcanic rock formations, barren hills and eerie, ash landscapes of the Tongariro National Park were chosen for the setting for the home of Lord Sauron and many sinister scenes in the movie.
The Rangipo Desert was the backdrop to the armies of Orcs in the storming of the Black Gate while the stunning symmetrical cone of Mt Ngauruhoe was digitally crafted to create Mount Doom itself, the place where the one ring was forged and ultimately destroyed! Despite the movie's fiery depiction, the last time Mt Ngauruhoe actually erupted was in 1975. The summit of Ngauruhoe is sacred to Maori so filming it directly wasn't permitted - which is why special effects were used to alter the peak in wide-angle shots.
Mt Ruapehu is the setting for the treacherous labyrinth of cliffs and ravines of Emyn Muil where Sam and Frodo realise they are lost. You may also recognise the River and Falls as the Ithilien River, carving its way through the native forest where Gollum catches his fish. On the opposite slopes of Mt Ruapehu was the setting for Hidden Bay, the entrance to the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit. The Desolation of Smaug. Giant scaffolding was brought in to protect the indigenous plants and wildlife while the filming was carried out.
Lord of The Rings Filming Locations Visited
Our New Zealand Lord of the Rings tours include many movie locations such as Hobbiton and Mordor in The North Island, to Laketown and Edoras in the South Island. All of these beautiful places are instantly recognisable in real life.
In the midst of endless rolling green hills flecked with white sheep is the village of Hobbiton. Be prepared to be transported to the peaceful region of Middle-earth™ where Bilbo Baggins lived and the
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Although the area is better known for the Waitomo Caves and glow worms, the Mangaotaki Valley near Piopio also featured in The Hobbit where it became the location for Staddle Farm and Trollshaw Forest
Trollshaw
Wellington is in many ways the heart of the movie fan's experience, being the home to the Weta Workshop & Cave, Weta Digital, Park Road Post Productions,Motion Capture Studio & Stone Street Studios.
Learn MoreWhat people have said
I went solo and am a bit of an introvert, but Julie and the rest of the tour members made this an unforgettable experience and made me feel right at home. This was number one on my bucket list and it exceeded my expectations across the board. If you're contemplating booking this tour, just...
Jordan M
With Julie James as our guide (Feb. 2018) on the 14 day tour... it was excellent! She always took every effort and opportunity to see to everyone's requests. The hotels we stayed in were wonderful. The meals were delicious. But the tour itself??? Awesome!!! We had big LOTR and the Hobbit...
Katherine C
Traveling New Zealand with RCT and Julie was amazing. It was the trip of a lifetime (but I hope to do it again!). It was very well put together and we got to see such amazing sites and do so many awesome things. I can't even name what my favorite part of the whole tour was because it was...
Lynn S
Just concluded my third trip with Red Carpet Tours. 5 stars for the 3rd time running! Excellent planning and attention to detail by the James Family and fabulous guiding by Julie. Once again, a very lovely, friendly ‘Fellowship’ of travellers with a common interest. You might expect...
Sue B
This was a trip of a lifetime. I honestly couldn’t imagine seeing Middle Earth any other way. Julie is amazing and truly cultivated an experience that I will treasure forever. If you’re thinking about booking this trip—just do it. I promise that you will have the time of your life.
Brenna M
I don’t have enough good things to say about this incredible experience. Our guide Julie is so knowledgeable and fun about everything LOTR AND New Zealand in general! My husband and I went for our belated honeymoon and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. You’re fed like Hobbits...
Taylor & Nick L
Everything about this tour was amazing! Our tour guide Julie is a true LOTR fan, and made sure everybody was looked after. The locations were well researched and meaningful. Even after the tour ended, Julie has kept in touch as we all went our separate ways and travelled home to various parts of...
Jody R
From first contact with the James family, and the Lord of the Rings-Red Carpet Tours, you are in the best of hands. You expect so much on the tour but you receive so much more. I came back from my first tour believing I'd never have a better, truly satisfying experience, and they could...
Barbara S
My second tour through Middle Earth (New Zealand) was just as wonderful as the first, the locations you are taken to are just amazing. Best suited for people with interest in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, you make so many friends throughout your journey that you become your own...
Lisa S
This is the best and ONLY way for a LOtR/Hobbit fan to experience New Zealand. Julie and her team are fantastic, knowledgeable people who, you can tell, put so much time and effort into making sure your experience with them is an amazing one! You will not regret choosing them as your guides...
Stephanie B