The Lord of the Rings locations in Glenorchy, Queenstown & Otago, South Island
New Zealand is undoubtedly a beautiful country for a road trip, but there’s something extra special about visiting the place that brought us Middle Earth. During my travels here, I sought out my favourite Lord of the Rings locations in Glenorchy, Queenstown, Otago, and beyond. From magical woodland to winding rivers and magnificent mountains, I can see why this destination was chosen to reimagine and bring Tolkien’s stories to life.
I hope you enjoy my list of the Lord of the Rings locations in Queenstown and Otago – and I hope it may be helpful to some of you too. May you enjoy your New Zealand travels as much as I did.
The Lord of the Rings Locations in Glenorchy and Paradise
ISENGARD – Routeburn Track Road
Just past Glenorchy, take the road across the river. Once you turn right at the bridge, the lookout is just a little further down the road. Look out ahead and to your right – these mountains are the background of Isengard as Gandalf approaches!
Although Saruman’s Tower doesn’t really exist (boo, very disappointing), you can still match up the scenery with ‘Isengard’ from the movies in your mind’s eye!
Drive further along the Routeburn Track Road to reach the Mt Aspiring National Park entrance. From here, you could also take on the 16km Routeburn Track and get immersed in some mountain scenery. In my case, the Winter weather kept me off the paths, but it was worth driving down to see the towering mountains all the same.
When you’re back in Glenorchy, take a moment to admire Mount Earnslaw on the opposite side of Lake Wakatipu – this gorgeous mountain was used in the opening sequence of the Two Towers – a must-see on your South Island New Zealand road trip itinerary.
Revisit the magic of Tolkien’s writing and listen to The Lord of the Rings on Audible,
narrated by Andy Serkis, who played Gollum. Yep, this is what I did too!
If you’ve not already jumped aboard the Audible train,
get a 30-day free trial for Audible and one free Audiobook here.
LOTHLORIEN – Paradise
Just off the side of the road – shortly before the tourist-favourite ‘Paradise sign’ is a patch of woodland partially used to create the magical Lothlorien. While much of this scene was concocted on set, this gorgeous forest still had its own charming elven magic – even if I didn’t see Galadriel moving about in the distance.
Note that there was a second Isengard lookout marked on Google Maps further along the road from Paradise, but we could not go any further due to flooding. But we drove past the Paradise sign as far as we could, and the drive was so worth it! This was my favourite Queenstown spot – it was absolutely breathtaking.
WARGS AND RIDERS – Deer Park Heights
While unfortunately closed during my visit to New Zealand, I do believe Deer Park Heights has since reopened.
Check the Deer Park Heights website for the exact locations of the Lord of the Rings movie locations. And be sure to watch out for wargs – it was here that these CGI monsters roamed the land, took out a poor Rider of Rohan, and even caused a lot of damage to our hero Aragorn.
The Best Lord of the Rings movie tours in Glenorchy, NZ:
Take a small group LOTR tour from Queenstown to Glenorchy and visit filming locations from Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, X-Men Origins, and more. Dressing up in LOTR costumes and replica swords is optional!
Small group 4WD half-day Glenorchy LOTR tour – explore Paradise Forest, the Forest of Middle-Earth, and gain behind-the-scenes insights from your local guide!
Dart River Canoe, Jet boat, and Paradise jet boat full-day tour. Follow famous backdrops from iconic films on a backroad tour of Paradise Valley! The half-day tour is also available if you’re short on time!
The Lord of the Rings locations in Queenstown
FORD OF BRUINEN- Skipper’s Canyon
This cool spot is where Arwen went badass on the dark riders and took command of the river to save Frodo.
You can visit Skipper’s Canyon on a boat tour to enjoy the action from the water itself! This Skipper’s Canyon jet boat ride is a fun way to enjoy the scenery and spot iconic LOTR locations!
THE GLADDEN FIELDS – Arrowtown
If you can say one thing about this river, it’s that it looks like a GREAT place for the ring to betray Isildur.
This unassuming spot, moments from the busy Arrowtown car park, takes us all the way back to the beginning of the trilogy. It was here where Aragorn’s heir floated up the river after being shot in the back by orcs. And alas, the ring was lost… and our tale begins.
PILLARS OF THE KINGS – Kawarau Gorge
The Pillars of the Kings, also known as the Argonath on Anduin River, has to be one of the most memorable set pieces from The Fellowship of the Rings! The kings themselves – two giant statues flanking the river – were created from a mix of models and CGI. So no, these fantastical pieces do not exist in real-life New Zealand! But the view is still absolutely worth a spot for LOTR fans.
Looking down into Kawarau Gorge, you can honestly imagine the little elven boats passing down the river. My photographer travel buddy also agreed it was a fantastic lookout, even without the added movie magic.
Viewpoint One: Chard Road (on the way to Chard Farm)
Oh gosh, it was a bit scary going up this windy little road with a steep drop down the side into the gorge. I found myself saying, ‘Peter Jackson, what are you making me do?!’ That said, this was still my favourite of the two lookouts.
Viewpoint Two: Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge
Home to the first bungee jump in New Zealand (!), the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge was a celebrated structure when first engineered in 1880.
The bridge has a fantastic view over the river, and you can see why these two lookouts helped set the scene for such a memorable moment in the Lord of the Rings film franchise.
If you want a closer look at Kawarau Gorge, enjoying the scenery by boat is the best way to see this famous scenery up close. With an experienced guide, take this Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat tour to see your favourite movie backdrops in a truly fun way!
ITHILIEN CAMP – Twelve Mile Delta
This is the spot where Frodo and Sam look down upon the terrifying men of Harad and their huge oliphants while Faramir’s arrows shoot overheard, also known as the Ithilien lookout.
Or, most importantly, the iconic scene where Sam expresses his love for potatoes. Potatoes are great. Take that, Gollum.
The Best Lord of the Rings movie tours in Queenstown, NZ:
Queenstown Half-Day 4WD Lord Of the Rings Discovery Tour – this adventure safari will take you to some of your favourite LOTR filming locations! Your experienced guide will take you to Minas Tirith, Misty Mountains, the Pillars of the Kings (Argonath), Gladden Fields, the Ford of Bruinen, and more.
Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour – any LOTR movie fan can remember seeing those swooping aerial shots over the snowy mountains during their first time watching the Fellowship of the Rings! This is when I fell in love with New Zealand for the first time, from halfway around the world in the UK! With 70 minutes up in the air, this helicopter tour is the ultimate way to see Middle Earth as we fly past the Misty Mountains, Isengard, Lothlorien, and the Redhorn Pass.
Or check out the aforementioned Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat tour or Skipper’s Canyon jet boat ride!
If you prefer a self-tour through New Zealand’s beautiful Middle Earth, I recommend reading the official LOTR locations guidebook. This is an absolutely brilliant guide to all the locations in New Zealand with a forward from Peter Jackson:
MIDDLE EARTH PANORAMA – Crown Range Summit
Another great way to see Middle Earth scenery is to drive up to the Crown Range summit on the way to Cadrona ski fields.
You’ll see Dimrall Dale in the hills straight ahead, and the river you can see on the left is the same as above, which portrayed The Pillars of the Argonath. You’ll also see Amon Hen in the distance on a clear day. Cool huh?
Crown Range Road is also the highest main road in New Zealand, so magnificent views are to be expected!
The Lord of the Rings locations in Otago
ROHAN – Ida Valley and Poolburn Reservoir
Peter Jackson listed this as his favourite location when filming the Lord of the Rings movies, yet the average New Zealand tourist misses it. A little out of the way, located near the town of Cromwell in Central Otago, this unique landscape was used to portray Rohan.
Ida Valley was stunning during my visit – a Winter Wonderland with layers of green, brown, and white. Very different to the Rohan of the movies – yet just as spectacular.
For an epic Middle Earth adventure, drive through farmland across rough dirt tracks towards Poolburn Reservoir. Our campervan couldn’t make it all the way, so we got out and took the rest of the route on foot.
It was here, at Poolburn Reservoir, that Westfold, Rohan, was brought to life. The villagers flee as the Uruk-hai approach, and Morwen tearfully wishes goodbye to her two children. The old fishing huts were actually used in the movie, too – they were given makeshift thatched roofs to look the part. The burning village buildings were actual, too – they were built to be set on fire by the crew members!
PELLENOR FIELDS – Twizel
This was a super fun LOTR spot to visit, even if the exact location is now fenced off. Drive up the road, and you can still see the sight of The Battle of Pelennor Fields – such an epic scene in The Return of the King.
Eowyn was my favourite movie character growing up, and it was exciting to mentally recreate the ‘I am no man!’ scene where she successfully defeats the awful Nazgul.
BONUS LOCATION – Glendhu Bay, Wanaka
Look to the distant Alps to imagine the scene where Gandalf rode Gwahir, the giant eagle, away from Saruman’s evil tower. An aerial shot was also filmed nearby to depict the Fellowship making their dangerous quest.
I couldn’t find exact locations – and of course, it’s hard to recreate aerial shots years later – but I did have some fun making some creative magic of my own under the direction of my best photographer friend, Rob Mulally.
There are also a few additional The Lord of the Rings locations in Fiordland, Southland. I’ll post this list in March 2024 – so watch this space!
Read more: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise: travel tips and review!
Where to stay in Queenstown
Hotels: I recommend the gorgeous Quest Queenstown Apartments, as these modern studios are among the highest-rated in the city! Alternatively, Luckie Lane Homestay is a highly-rated budget hotel option.
Budget-friendly and campervans: I stayed at Driftaway Queenstown which is one of the nicest budget-friendly holiday resorts I’ve ever stayed at, with the option of lakeside chalets, family studios, or powered sites for campervans. They have a stunning shared area with a kitchen, guest lounges, and a terrace facing the mountains and lake.
Luxury: If you’re looking for something special, Stoneridge Estate offers 5* luxury accommodation, set among 12 acres of vineyard and water gardens. With incredible lake and mountain views, an immaculate yet characterful interior, and exceptional service, this is the place to go for an unforgettable experience in Queenstown!
Thanks, Lynda – I’m really interested to see how the Rings of Power locations differ from the scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies.
Visiting the NZ lotr spots is definitely a lot of fun if you’re into the movies or show!
I hope you have a wonderful trip to New Zealand!
Thanks so much! I’m such a huge Lord of the Rings fan, it made for a great NZ travel experience!
I loved reading this article. We love all things Lord of the Rings! We are watching Rings of Power now. Thanks for the fun share.
I’m visiting NZ next January and can’t wait to check out all these beautiful spots! Thanks a lot for sharing!
I recently got into LOTR and want to visit all of these when I visit New Zealand!!
Glendhu Bay looks so so amazing!
I never really watched the original Lord of the Rings series – I only caught glimpses of it here and there. However, I am now enthralled with the new series The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime. I will have to come back to this page to see if I recognize any of the locations (not sure where they were filmed).