by Liz Lewis for GiftedTravel.com
No visit to New Zealand would be complete without exploring some of the locations featured in movies such as Lord of the Rings, Whale Rider, The River Queen, and The World’s Fastest Indian. After all, who wouldn’t want to follow in the footsteps of Frodo, paddle along side the River Queen, swim with the Whale Rider, and race with the Indian.
Many of the movies were filmed in remote locations well of the tourist trail. Little, if anything, remains of the sets and props built for the movies. But it is well worth the effort to find them. Because the biggest star of the these movies, the landscape, remains.
So what can you see and how accessible is it?
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Director Peter Jackson covered the whole of New Zealand looking for ‘middle earth’ and ended up filming in 150 different locations. Many of the locations were on Department of Conservation land with the agreement that nothing would be left at the end of the filming.
The villages and sets created for the Lord of the Rings trilogy have been dismantled. Except for Hobbiton. Located two hours south of Auckland on State Highway 27, here you can find the remains of the original Hobbiton Village. But as it is set on private farmland near the town of Matamata, access is only available by tour.
Next head for Taupo in the middle of the North Island and walk in the footsteps of Frodo and Sam along the Tongariro Crossing (aka Mt Doom). This challenging 8 hour walk has been described as the best one-day walk within New Zealand. Set up on the central plateau, there are spectacular views to be seen as you walk past steaming fumaroles, lava flows, the Red Crater, and the Emerald Lakes.
Continue further south to Kapiti Coast, just before the capital city of Wellington, and visit Movie Horses NZ, where you can meet the equine stars of the movie.
Then head for Wellington, home of Peter Jackson and the Weta workshop, Rover Tours, provides a number of tours covering film locations in and around Wellington.
But the biggest concentration of Lord of the Rings tour operators are found in the South Island, and in particular, Queenstown and Wanaka. Here you are surrounded by Lord of the Rings locations. But as most of these locations are hidden in remote areas, access is easiest by tour company. For a comprehensive list of tours available and contact information, check out Lord of the Rings Tours.
Another great resource to checkout before you arrive is the New Zealand Tourism website, which offers a number of Lord of the Rings driving routes for the independent traveler.
The River Queen and The Whale Rider
These two movies provided not only spectacular scenery but also introduced movie goers to insights into Maori history and culture.
Visitors to New Zealand can get a glimpse of this by heading out to the Whanganui River and following the trail of the River Queen. Adventure and culture await along this river that was used by Maori as a main transport route for centuries before Europeans arrived. Today, you can canoe, kayak, or jet boat down the river. Alternatively, you can hike along any of the numerous hiking trails that follow the river.
Those choosing the water route can arrange for an overnight stay at Tieke Marae, an old pa (fort) located on the river banks. This cultural experience features a traditional powhiri (welcome) and strives to provide a view of Maori life – past and present.
The small village atmosphere is also available at the beachside community of Whangara (population 30) where Whale Rider was set. Located near Gisborne on the east coast of the North Island, Whangara is the hometown of Witi Ihimaera, author of Whale Rider. This small Maori town (population 30) is the ancestral home of the Ngati Konohi tribe.
Base yourself at nearby Gisborne, known for it’s sunny weather and wineries, and take one of the tours to Whangara led by Hone Taumaunu, cultural consultant during the filming of Whale Rider. These tours depart from the Gisborne Visitors Information Center and offer a chance to visit the house where the filming was done and learn about the story that inspired the movie.
The World’s Fastest Indian
Visit the southern city of Invercargill in the South Island to experience the place which inspired Burt Munro in his quest for speed. A city of 50,000, Invercargill has a the appeal of a small town, complete with wide streets and elegant Victorian and Edwardian building. Check in with the Invercargill Information Center to find out where to look for Burt’s shed and other film locations.
Then head out to Oreti Beach for a view of the place that Burt did his original test drives on his 1920 Indian Twin Scout. All that remains is the spectacular landscape – white sand flats, sparkling water, and views out to Stewart Island.
Liz Lewis is a New Zealand based freelance writer. Check out her Travel Café Kiwi blog for all things New Zealand and My Year of Getting Published blog for all things about writing.
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what about narnia?
What is the name of the movie, filmed ’bout late 70s early 80s I saw it in 1981) about the 14th century Welch miners that time travel to 20th century NZ to forge a cross and place it on the church in an attempt to save their village from the Black Death?
Primary actors were a boy around 12 and 3 men in 40s to maybe 60? The only charecter’s name I remember is Connor, the older brother of the boy who arrives at the village at the end of the movie carrying the Black Death.
Ringing any bells?