Filming Locations, New Zealand, Travel

Earnslaw Burn, New Zealand – Glacier Landing & LOTR Waterfalls by Helicopter

Our Heliworks Queenstown Earnslaw Burn Explorer tour was one of the most unforgettable experiences of our entire trip. We first landed on top of the Grant Glacier, surrounded by pristine ice and sweeping alpine views. Then we flew to Earnslaw Burn, an otherworldly valley at the base of the Earnslaw Glacier that’s accessible only by helicopter or a very long hike. In summer, the melting glacier creates countless cascading waterfalls, making the landscape even more breathtaking than we imagined. This spot is also a bit of cinematic history – briefly seen from above in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and featured prominently in The Rings of Power as the dwarven entrance to Khazad-dûm. It was, without question, one of the most phenomenal moments of our New Zealand adventure.

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May 10, 2024 by
Filming Locations, New Zealand, Travel

Pure Glenorchy LOTR Tour – Paradise (Arcadia Station): Film Sites for Isengard & Lothlórien

Our Pure Glenorchy LOTR Scenic Tour truly lived up to its name – it carried us straight into Paradise, the breathtaking Glenorchy region that Sir Ian McKellen famously calls his favorite place on Earth. The drive from Queenstown along the shimmering shores of Lake Wakatipu was stunning enough, but the real magic unfolded as we stepped into iconic filming locations: 12 Mile Delta (“What’s taters, Precious?” and “It’s an oliphant!”), the sweeping landscapes of Arcadia Station used for Isengard and Beorn’s house, and the ethereal beech forest along the road to Paradise where Lothlórien came to life. As a perfect finishing touch, our guides even brought out costumes and props, turning our Middle-earth adventure into something wonderfully immersive and unforgettable.

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May 8, 2024 by
Filming Locations, Hikes, New Zealand, Travel

12 Mile Delta (Bob’s Cove Track – Mount Creighton) New Zealand: LOTR Ithilien Camp & Amon Hen

We visited 12 Mile Delta on our Pure Glenorchy Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour to explore the filming locations for Amon Hen and Ithilien, where Gollum and Sam argue over “What’s taters, Precious?” and the hobbits witness the mighty oliphants. Set along the Bob’s Cove Track in the Mount Creighton area, this peaceful reserve looks surprisingly close to the film version of Ithilien, with its rugged hillsides and forested nooks. We loved it so much that we returned later on our own to spend extra time wandering the exact spots where Frodo, Sam, and Gollum cooked their “stew with taters” and watched the Haradrim pass. (Check out our Paradise [Arcadia Station] blog for more stops from the same tour!)

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April 30, 2024 by
Filming Locations, New Zealand, Travel

Kawarau Gorge – Gibbston, New Zealand – Bungy Jumping, Wineries & the Argonath

One of the highlights of our New Zealand trip was our first-ever bungy jump off the historic Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge—the birthplace of commercial bungy (never “bungee,” according to the Kiwis). The bridge has been standing since 1880, and AJ Hackett launched the world’s first commercial jump site here in 1988. Even better, the turquoise river below is also a Lord of the Rings filming location for the River Anduin and the Argonath, just around the bend from the road to the wineries. Before taking the plunge, we stopped at Chard Farm for a little liquid courage; its Pinot Noirs were fantastic, and the winery sits perched above the gorge with stunning views of vineyards, rugged bluffs, and the rushing water below. After our jump, we celebrated at Gibbston Valley Winery, known for its cellar door, beautiful grounds, and equally excellent Pinots—an unforgettable combination of adrenaline, scenery, and world-class wine.

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April 29, 2024 by
New Zealand, Travel

Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, New Zealand – Blooming Lupines and Glacier Blue Shores

Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki are two of the most stunning alpine lakes in the Canterbury region, each showcasing that unreal South Island turquoise glow. At Lake Tekapo, we were lucky to catch the lupines in bloom, painting the shoreline in pinks and purples. At Lake Pukaki, we dipped our feet into icy glacier-fed water for the first time – a refreshing shock and a perfect way to take in the sweeping views toward Aoraki/Mount Cook.

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April 11, 2024 by
Filming Locations, Hikes, New Zealand, Travel

Twizel, New Zealand – Exploring the Dusky Trail along Pelennor Fields

Twizel charmed us with its rolling foothills and majestic peaks – so epic it’s no surprise this region became the Battle of the Pelennor Fields in LOTR The Return of the King. We enjoyed a leisurely hike along the Dusky Trail that passes near Pelennor Fields where Éowyn famously defeats the Witch-king of Angmar. We then rested at the tranquil Manuka Retreat, Middle‑earth’s very own cozy hideaway.

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April 4, 2024 by
Filming Locations, Hikes, New Zealand, Travel

Mount Sunday, New Zealand – Exploring Edoras from LOTR

Mount Sunday was one of the absolute highlights of our New Zealand trip and ended up being my favorite hike of the entire vacation. This remote, windswept hill served as the filming location for Edoras, the capital of Rohan in The Two Towers, and even though the set is long gone, you can still recognize several iconic spots—including Éowyn’s lookout from the Golden Hall. We stayed at Mt Potts Lodge, the only hint of civilization for miles, and had perfect weather plus the trail almost entirely to ourselves. The hike to the summit is only about a mile, but the payoff is immense: panoramic views of braided rivers, jagged peaks, and open plains that feel straight out of Middle-earth. It was incredibly windy at the top, which made for gorgeous photos with my dress and hair whipping dramatically in the gusts as we recreated Éowyn’s famous scene.

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April 2, 2024 by
Filming Locations, Hikes, 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 Locations, 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