New Zealand the Land of the Long White Cloud has become inextricably linked with some of the most loved motion pictures of our times. Peter Jackson’s epic Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed entirely on location amidst the breathtaking, fairytale scenery, and on a holiday to New Zealand, walking the spectacular landscape can place you in somewhat familiar territory. One of the world’s best kept secrets has been revealed under the guise of “Middle Earth” – the mythical setting of the films. Among international names and a world class director, New Zealand’s elegant, natural beauty has emerged as the major star. Following in the footsteps of Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Aragon et al, you too can journey through some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet and you will fall under its spell. Allow yourself to be swept away by the magic – and keep your eyes peeled for Hobbits.
Matamata (Hobbiton)
Undulating hills of endless green; gentle sloping pastures and labyrinthine underground caves; we can only be in one place – Hobbiton. In reality, Matamata on the North Island is just as much a fantasyland as the one it was chosen to portray. Squint and you can almost see JRR Tolkien’s gentle souls of the hills going about their business, and though it has now gained notoriety through the film, Matamata has still retained a charming air of days gone by. New Zealand walking tours of this region will not only take you on a picturesque journey of the visible landscape, but you can also visit the fantastic subterranean caves at nearby Waitomo. As you glide through the network of waterways in these ancient caves, the stalagmites and stalactites formed over millions of years are illuminated by the glimmer of thousands of glow worms overhead.
Mt Ruapehu (Mt Doom)
The centrepiece of Middle Earth – Mt Doom – masquerades under the guise of its alter ego, Mt Ruapehu in the central North Island. An active volcano, Mt Ruapeho sits in the cradle of the Tongariro National Park. Although its last eruption was in 1995, it bubbles and seethes just under the surface, and often a plume of smoke can be seen wisping from the top in a warning to its unpredictability. In a wonderful natural anomaly, the outside of the volcano is scarred with glaciers which can be seen creeping slowly down its outer slopes. The famous Tongariro Crossing is one of New Zealand’s walking highlights, and in fact is reputed as being one of the best walks in the world. In one day you will hike across an incredibly diverse landscape: over ancient volcanic terrain; past dramatic craggy rock faces; and through lush pastoral land. For a truly unique experience, you can navigate the length of the magnificent Whanganui River which winds its way from its origins in the volcanic plateau, through cloistered cliffs and along a path of almost unimaginable beauty out to the Tasman Sea.
Queenstown (Eregion Hills, the Pillars of Argonath)
Against the imposing backdrop of the Remarkables, Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island is the setting used to depict a number of locations in the Lord of the Rings movies.
The fairytale landscape lends itself perfectly to wearing the cloak of the imaginary ancient Lothlorien forest, with its verdant valleys and mottled autumnal foliage. The city of Queenstown itself is a buzzing hub, renowned as a Mecca for extreme sports enthusiasts.
Heli skiing, snowboarding, jet boating and bungy jumping are the favoured pursuits and New Zealand walking holidays are also a major draw to this area. The world famous Milford track is within easy reach, as are the Fiordlands – the largest national park in New Zealand. The terrain of the Fiordlands is challenging with raw and rugged wilderness, dense rainforest and one of the wettest climates in the world but the rewards are exceptional.
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