Trollshaw

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.

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. Southwest of Te Kuiti on the western side of the North Island, the farmland is backed by the dramatic sheer cliffs of the Mangaotaki Rocks. They tower more than 300 feet above the valley, carved into fantastic formations over millions of years of weathering.

These amazing limestone cliffs form the foothills for the movie's Misty Mountains and feature clearly as the spectacular backdrop to the Warg chase scene. This is also the area where Bilbo outwits three mountain trolls and gets his first look at his new sword, Sting. Staddle Farm is the abandoned farmhouse at Trollshaw where the brave band camps for the night. There is no longer a farmhouse - it was dismantled after the filming ended. The location itself however is very recognisable. Our enthusiastic hosts will have screen shots to match the filming done in this magnificent location. In the forest we will visit the Trolls cave, where Bilbo first receives his sword 'Sting', a very special moment. Photographs of this scene were the first ones shown on the Trailer for the Hobbit, worldwide.

We then carry on to where Radagast first meets up with the group. It's easy to imagine you can hear the Wargs howl in the distance, readying for an attack. Apart from the fascination with it being the film's location, you'll appreciate the beauty and wildness of the site itself. The forest is primaeval with looming tree ferns and strangely shaped limestone boulders. It will be a magical experience for true fans and an authentic taste of both Middle-earthand rural New Zealand.

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.

Hobbiton alt text

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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Hobbiton
Barrel Rider River

Pelorus River is a stunning location where Bilbo and the 13 Dwarves had to ride down the rapids in their barrels!

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Barrel Rider River
Weta Workshop

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.

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Weta Workshop

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