South of Rivendell
Nelson is one of New Zealand's sunniest regions with three National Parks that extend from the mountains to the sea, forming some magnificent Middle-earth locations.
Nelson is the home of the 'One Ring'. The region is renowned for its boutique foods, wine and the unique and creative arts and crafts produced by its skilled artisans. Many important articles were found here for the films, including the 40 prototypes of the One Ring, crafted by jeweller Jens Hansen. Nelson is also one of New Zealand's sunniest regions with picturesque countryside and three National Parks that extend from the mountains to the sea, forming some magnificent Middle-earth locations.
Between Blenheim and Nelson is the river that provides the enchanting setting for the Dwarves' barrel ride in the Desolation of Smaug. The crystal waters of the river cut through a solid rock gorge surrounded by layers of the green forest. To the west of Nelson, the scenes from Chetwood Forest were filmed at the top of Takaka Hill. It was through this woodland that Aragorn led the Hobbits as they fled Bree to escape the Black Riders. Part of a range of hills separating Golden Bay from Nelson, Takaka Hill is made of marble, riddled with limestone caves and sinkholes, dotted with weirdly weathered rock outcrops and pockets of beech forest.
Deep in Kahurangi National Park is the location of upper Dimrill Dale on the glacier-scoured Mt Owen. At 1875m it's the highest mountain in Kahurangi National Park and with a giant marble cap, pitted and fractured, it's a striking sight. Also in Kahurangi are the strange rock formations of Mt Olympus that portrayed an area of the rugged country south of Rivendell. The group are forced to hide among these spectacular, ancient granite spires away from Saruman's spying black crows. These summits are among New Zealand's most remote and dramatic landscapes and can be challenging to access on foot but are well worth seeing. We have a special optional helicopter tour here, highly recommended.
The Lord of The Rings Filming Locations Visited
Our New Zealand The Lord of the Rings tours include many movie locations such as Hobbiton and Trollshaw 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
Pelorus River is a stunning location where Bilbo and the 13 Dwarves had to ride down the rapids in their barrels!
Learn MoreWhat people have said
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
Just returned as part of the February 2023 Fellowship with Red Carpet Tours and it was one of the best trips of my life. I've been wanting to do this for years and was worried my expectations might be too high, but it was amazing and I wish it didn't have to end! Love the family...
Emily V
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
One Tour to Rule Them All – Red Carpet Tours is Middle-earth Made Real This was not just a holiday. It was a quest, and our Fellowship—36 true Lord of the Rings fans from around the globe—was led by none other than Julie, our gracious Gandalf. Wise, hilarious, full of...
Matt J
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
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
Genuinely the best guided trip I've ever taken! Julie and Josh are amazing and so welcoming! Red Carpet Tours were so accommodating, fun, and had everything well planned. Our bus drivers and peers in the tours were really really nice and fun. Would strongly suggest taking Red Carpet Tours...
Renin J
This tour changed my life, Julie and Josh were amazing tour guides, everywhere we went was stunning. I could not have asked for anything more from them. Even where there were some hiccups outside of anyone’s control Julie and the team worked tirelessly to ensure we had the best experience...
Jon
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
Red Carpet Tours is a fabulous company - been with them 3 times. I agree with others posted here that it is the BEST way to see New Zealand, especially if you are a "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" fan - and even if you're not! From all the Magnificent New Zealand...
John N