Filming Location, Hiking, New Zealand, Travel

Castle Hill, New Zealand – Where Narnia Magic Meets Incredible Bouldering

After flying from Wellington to Christchurch to begin our South Island adventures, our first stop was the Kura Tāwhiti Conservation Area, better known as Castle Hill. Before heading into the boulder fields, we made a very fitting “second breakfast” stop at the World Famous Sheffield Pie Shop, which ended up being the best food we had in all of New Zealand – the boysenberry pie alone was worth the detour. Fully fueled, we continued on to Castle Hill, where massive limestone formations stretched across the landscape. Famous as the filming location for the epic final battle in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the area was both cinematic and unexpectedly peaceful. We had an incredible time scrambling over the boulders, soaking in the sweeping views, and exploring a place that truly rocked in every sense

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March 29, 2024 by
Filming Location, New Zealand, Travel

Mount Victoria New Zealand – Outer Shire

In Wellington – nicknamed “Wellywood” thanks to how much of The Lord of the Rings was filmed there – we tracked down all four Outer Shire locations on Mount Victoria, just steps from the Embassy Theatre where The Return of the King premiered. We spent the most time at Hobbit’s Hideaway, joyfully reenacting the scene where the hobbits dive off the road to escape the Nazgûl (the massive tree root they hide under was a movie prop!). We also found Frodo’s reading/smoking tree, “I think I’ve broken something” hill, and the Way of the Nazgûl. 

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March 22, 2024 by
Filming Location, Hiking, New Zealand, Travel

Upper Hutt New Zealand – Rivendell and River Anduin

In Upper Hutt, just outside Wellington, we explored several iconic Lord of the Rings filming locations including Rivendell (Kaitoke Regional Park), the River Anduin (Hutt River), and Isengard Gardens (Harcourt Park). Though the original Rivendell set was removed after filming, the forest setting still feels undeniably elven, with one remaining archway that recreates the gateway to this peaceful realm. We had a blast reenacting scenes among the trees, imagining the Fellowship’s time in Elrond’s house. Nearby, we followed the Hutt River to the exact spot where Aragorn washes ashore in The Two Towers – a must-see for any Middle-earth fan.

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March 17, 2024 by
The Zone of Interest
Musings

2024 Oscar Nominees – Scott’s Best Picture Rankings

It’s that time of year when I post my thoughts on the Oscar nominees – not because anyone wants to read them, but because I spent 20+ hours watching them all.

First of all, it’s a travesty that my favorite movie of the year – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – received one measly nomination. This is a groundbreaking, genre-altering masterpiece. Only three animated films have ever been nominated for Best Picture. Just as The Dark Knight didn’t receive its rightful Best Picture nomination because superhero films were thought of as a lesser genre, I think the same thing is happening here. But anyway, let’s talk Best Picture nominees…

Scott’s Best Picture Rankings:

1. The Zone of Interest – A haunting, powerful, lingering examination of the cognitive dissonance required to raise a family at the gates of Auschwitz. My favorite shot from the film is when the family was having a pool party while, on the other side of the fence, a new batch of to-be-murdered prisoners arrived by train. The mental gymnastics required by that family to make that feel normal is inconceivable. From its theme to its score, The Zone of Interest feels like a sequel to one of last year’s favorites, All Quiet on the Western Front.

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March 9, 2024 by
Filming Location, Hiking, New Zealand, Travel

Tongariro National Park – Journey Across Mordor and Mount Doom

Tongariro National Park was absolutely breathtaking, with its dramatic volcanic peaks – including Mt. Ngauruhoe, better known to Lord of the Rings fans as Mount Doom. From our room at Skotel Alpine Resort, the view of the mountain was unreal, especially knowing we’d soon be trekking its shadow. We hiked the 12-mile Tongariro Alpine Crossing on a misty, drizzling day that made it feel like a true journey through Mordor in search of the One Ring. We also visited several filming sites – Mead’s Wall (Emyn Muil), Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s Pool), and Mangawhero Falls (Sméagol Catches a Fish) – and couldn’t resist reenacting a few iconic LOTR moments ourselves.

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March 9, 2024 by
New Zealand, Travel

Rotorua New Zealand – Te Puia and Waiotapu Geothermal Area

Rotorua, New Zealand is famous for its bubbling geothermal landscapes and vibrant Māori culture. At Te Puia, we witnessed Pōhutu Geyser – the largest in the southern hemisphere – erupt in a spectacular display and spotted live kiwi birds, the beloved national symbol that gave New Zealanders their nickname (unrelated to the fruit!). We attended a powerful Māori cultural performance featuring the traditional haka, once used by warriors to challenge their opponents, and explored the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where students preserve the heritage of carving, weaving, and stonework. Later, we ventured to Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, where vivid geothermal pools, steaming vents, and the striking Champagne Pool made for an unforgettable hike through one of New Zealand’s most surreal landscapes.

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February 19, 2024 by
New Zealand, Travel

Waitomo New Zealand – Hairy Feet Tour and Spellbound Glowworms

We were blown away by the Hairy Feet Waitomo tour, which revealed incredible filming locations from The Hobbit and The Rings of Power. Surrounded by the dramatic limestone bluffs of the Mangaotaki Valley, every viewpoint felt cinematic. Our guide, Suzie, brought the experience to life with fascinating stories about the filming process and her family’s role in hosting the crew. To top off the day, we visited Spellbound Caves, where a serene boat ride beneath thousands of glowing bioluminescent worms created a truly magical finale.

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February 18, 2024 by
New Zealand, Travel

There and Back Again: Visiting Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand

Hobbiton was even more magical than we imagined – like stepping straight into Middle-earth! It was the main reason we finally made our long-awaited trip to New Zealand, and we planned the entire itinerary around the exclusive Evening Banquet Tour: a feast at The Green Dragon Inn followed by a lantern-lit stroll through the Shire. Thanks to a bit of luck (and backup planning), we ended up visiting three times in 24 hours – by day and by night, in rain and shine. Our timing couldn’t have been better, as just two weeks before we arrived, Hobbiton opened two fully furnished hobbit holes that we got to explore. Every detail felt alive, and after years of waiting, it was everything we hoped for and more.

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February 12, 2024 by