New Zealand's mountain ranges, wild rivers and grassy fields provided the perfect setting for the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Here is where you can find Middle‑earth™ for yourself.

Whether or not you're a Tolkein fan, you'll find it almost impossible not to compare New Zealand to Middle‑earth™.

Where was Lord of the Rings filmed?

The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand. Filming locations spanned more than 150 locations in both the North and the South Islands. From the towering Mount Doom in Mordor, to the dreamy Hobbiton in the Shire, New Zealand's otherworldly landscapes brought the movies to life.

Lord of the Rings locations in the North Island

One of the most popular film locations in New Zealand is found in Matamata.

The Shire and Hobbiton Movie Set

The lush dairy farming landscape around the Waikato town of Matamata was used to portray the peaceful Shire region of Middle‑earth™. The village of Hobbiton was created here with brilliant attention to detail.

It was later rebuilt for the filming of The Hobbit Trilogy and is now a permanent attraction.

See glorious 360-degree images of Hobbiton here.