Twenty-five years ago, moviegoers got their first glimpse of Middle-earth — and savvy travelers discovered that it looked remarkably like New Zealand.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring premiered in 2001, the first chapter of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels. All three movies were filmed back-to-back in Jackson’s native New Zealand, with more than 150 locations eventually used across the North and South Islands.
Why New Zealand?
It wasn’t just hometown patriotism. Jackson had an extraordinary range of landscapes practically on his doorstep waiting to be filmed: pastoral farmland, primeval-looking forests, volcanic terrain, wild rivers and some of the Southern Hemisphere’s most dramatic mountains. It meant multiple realms of Tolkien’s imaginary world could be created within one country - often with surprisingly little digital enhancement - with accuracy that awed even the most critical of ardent fans.
A quarter of a century and a new generation of Lord of the Rings Fans later… these film locations are still a magnet for ‘set-jetters’ today, who are thrilled to track down and escape into their fandom fantasies in the footsteps of the actors.
Planning Your Own Lord of the Rings ‘Set-Jet’ Trip Across New Zealand
The Fellowship of the Ring has actually become one of travel’s great examples of “set-jetting,” and fans have a checklist of locations:
- The rolling farmland around Matamata became the Shire and Hobbiton, including Bag End. Unlike most sets, Hobbiton was later permanently rebuilt for The Hobbit trilogy, and today visitors can actually walk through the village.
- Around Wellington, Mount Victoria’s woods became the place where the hobbits hid from the terrifying Black Riders, while Kaitoke Regional Park stood in for Rivendell.
- Farther south, the Arrow River and dramatic country around Queenstown provided the Ford of Bruinen and other landscapes on the Fellowship’s journey.
- The volcanic terrain of Tongariro National Park helped create Mordor, while the
- Waiau River in Fiordland became part of the River Anduin.
New Middle-earth Experiences for the New Generation of Fans
New Zealand has embraced its new identity as the “Home of Middle-earth,” developing new location tours and visitor experiences to celebrate the now-classic film milestone.
For Tolkien fans, that means the 25th anniversary comes with an irresistible proposition: rewatch the movie — then go see how much of Middle-earth was real all along.
New ways to road trip through Middle-earth: Independent travelers can explore the region at their own pace with Tourism New Zealand's Middle-earth Itineraries.
Designed for varying trip lengths and fandom levels, the itineraries include Halfling's Ramble, a North Island route featuring Hobbiton, Tongariro and Wellington; Elven Magic, which blends cinematic landscapes with cultural and scenic highlights; and Wizard's Journey, the ultimate full-country pilgrimage for dedicated fans.
A year of Middle-earth events: Countrywide celebrations will extend well beyond the film locations, with anniversary-themed activations and fan events taking place throughout the year. Festivities begin on International Hobbit Day (September 22, 2026), when fans celebrate the birthdays of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins with special tours, themed dining and festivities at Hobbiton.
Visitors can also attend Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings concerts in Auckland, raise a pint at the annual Hobbiton Beer Festival in November, join the official 25th anniversary celebration on December 19, 2026, or take on the Middle-earth Halfling Marathon on March 20, 2027.
More Middle-earth Coming Soon to a Theater Near You
This 25th anniversary year of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring sets the scene for a new film slated for release in 2027, which brings new reasons for fans to make the journey to the real-life landscapes behind the films.
Of course, there’s an actual New Zealand beyond the appeal of the film version of Middle-earth, and these journeys are a springboard to a real-life New Zealand experience – from hiking, beaches, and wildlife to Māori culture, food and wine, and the country’s cities.
START YOUR TRIP!
Images courtesy of Tourism New Zealand
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