New Zealand - Welcome to Middle Earth

Visiting Wellington, Mount Victoria, Seatoun, Khandallah, Mount Ngauruhoe, Waitomo, Mount Ruapehum and more.

  • City of blinding lights

    Wellington is the southernmost national capital city in the world at latitude 41°S. This is about as far south as you can get without hiking through Patagonia.

    Wellington by night from Mount Victoria

  • Cars along a cable

    For only $4,50 you can be dragged up the hillside by a charming old wagon. The line was opened in 1902 to transform the green hills into a new suburb. Today it provides easy access to the Botanical Gardens.

    Funicular railway tracks above Wellington

  • Across Dagorlad

    New Zealand volcano Mount Ngauruhoe is located in the Tongariro National Park on the north island. It was used as Mount Doom for a few scenes in Lord of the Rings, but since the local population didn't allow filming there for religious reasons the crew had to make a digital replica of it.

    Mount Ngauruhoe

  • Hunting nazguls

    The city is located in a large bay, providing an excellent harbor area.

    Mount Victoria, Wellington

  • Walk of fame

    At the end of the street is the Embassy where Lord of the Rings had world premiere. The cast went on a parade along this street and there was a giant nazgul statue on one of the rooftops.

    Courtenay, Wellington

  • Land of the hobbits

    Unfortunately the nazgul had another appointment at this hour.

    Lord of the Rings filming location in Mount Victoria

  • Get off the road

    This was the place where Frodo and the hobbits first encountered the nazgul. It was also the site for the very first shooting of the trilogy, catching the press off guard.

    Lord of the Rings filming location in Mount Victoria