Wellington Lord of the Rings Locations and Sets

(Wellington, North Island, New Zealand NZ)

The world-famous movie 'Lord of the Rings' was filmed in many locations around New Zealand, particularly in the Wellington area of New Zealand. Although many of the 'Lord of the Rings' movie sets have long been dismantled, guided tours of the stunning scenery around Wellington, where much of this blockbuster was filmed, are extremely popular with tourists visiting Wellington.

Wellington and the surrounding countryside was the main location for both the filming and production of the spectacular 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, which was filmed in this area of New Zealand between 1999 and 2000.



Various guided tours of 'Lord of the Rings' locations around Wellington are available and are operated by the Middle Earth tours and other Wellington tours companies. Self-guided tours of the 'Lord of the Rings' locations are also popular excursions from Wellington city centre.

Some of the main parts of the 'Lord of the Rings' film were shot in the following regions of Wellington and other nearby areas of New Zealand's North Island.

Eastbourne Location

The Eastbourne district of Wellington was where Sir Ian McKellan stayed during the filming of 'Lord of the Rings' and is close to many of the film's major locations.

Mount Victoria

The extremely scenic Mount Victoria region of Wellington was home to many scenes from the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy including the now famous Hobbiton Woods, with an exciting 'Hobbit' landscape. The disused quarry in the Mount Victoria area of Wellington was remodelled into the movie's 'Dunharrow', with the addition of 'Rohirrim' tents and a pathway.

Lyall Bay

Lyall Bay, close to Wellington's Mount Victoria, features a number of locations that were used in the filming of the 'Lord of the Rings' and the scenic beach was also a popular surfing area for many of the 'hobbit' actors.

Wellington Lord of the Rings: Chocolate Fish Café

Wellington's Chocolate Fish Café was a popular haunt of the stars in the 'Lord of the Rings' and can be found along Scorching Bay, on the southern side of Wellington.

Seatoun

The coastal district of Seatoun, on the southern side of Wellington, was the location where the majority of the 'Lord of the Rings' cast resided during filming around Wellington. Seatoun was also used in several parts of the film, including a number of scenes with hobbits.

Wairarapa

The Wairarapa region is a large area to the north of Wellington, with numerous vineyards which became a popular haunt for many of the stars in the 'Lord of the Rings'.

Hutt Valley

The Hutt Valley features some of the most breathtaking scenery around Wellington and it is no surprise that large parts of the 'Lords of the Rings' were filmed in this part of New Zealand. Highlights used in the movie include the Hutt River - known in the 'Lord of the Rings' as the Great River Anduin, Harcourt Park - which was used as a backdrop for the Gondorian fortress of Isengard, and Dry Creek Quarry - where an enormous castle was constructed for the 'Lord of the Rings' movie.

Also, nearby the Hutt Valley, in the Rivendell area of Wellington, you will find a wealth of information about the 'Lord of the Rings', including precise filming locations, photographs of sets and movie memorabilia.