The Hobbit is an epic movie that continues to inspire people to travel. While some scenes and locations from the movie were digitally created, most of the locations used in the trilogy are real-life locations that one can visit. Like the Lord of the Rings, many scenes from The Hobbit were also filmed in the rugged and beautiful landscape of New Zealand. For travelers and lovers of the Lord of the Rings universe who wish to take part in the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, here are locations from the Hobbit you can visit in real life.
10 Hobbiton Movie Set
As the world knows it, the home of Bilbo Baggins is the shire, and Hobbiton is the real-life location where this hobbit's hometown was filmed. This set was first used in the filming of the Lord of the Rings, although it had to be reconstructed for the filming of the Hobbit. Due to the popularity of the Lord of the Rings movie, this movie set was reconstructed not just for filming the Hobbit but also to serve as a tourist attraction that now draws in millions of Middle earth lovers from all over the world.
9 Piopio
The small town of Piopio in the Waikato Region played a major role in the filming of many scenes in the Hobbit. Trollshaw Forest, where the company encountered trolls and where Gandalf, Thoren, and Bilbo got Elvish swords, was filmed in the Denize Bluffs near Piopio. While visiting this town, travelers can take a walk to explore the stunning landscape and also spend a night at one of the town’s farmstays.
8 Pelorus River, Marlborough Region
After escaping from the Woodland Realm under the rule of Thranduil, the dwarves were filmed floating in barrels on the Perilous river until they eventually lost the current and eventually met with a man from Lake Town. While visiting this scenic waterbody, one can float on the river with a kayak or simply walk on the riverside walk to feel like the dwarfs. Just watch out for Bolg and other Orcs, by the way.
7 Lake Pukaki
Located on the South Island of New Zealand, Lake Pukaki was the filming location of Lake Town in the Desolation of Smaug. Besides its role in the movie, this Lake is also popular for many reasons. It is one of the largest lakes in New Zealand and is often considered the most beautiful lake in the country. Travelers visiting the lake will be met with mesmerizing blue color and a backdrop of towering mountains. Activities to enjoy here include hiking and biking on the trails around the lake.
6 Fjordland National Park
When the company of Thorin Oakenshield was attacked by Azog the Defiler in the woods, Gandalf magically sent for giant Eagles, which eventually came to whisk the company away. On the flight, it is obvious that the view below is that of Fjordland National Park. The filming displays the stunning landscape of this region with its stunning fjords and the beautiful rivers running through them. Helicopter flights are available for travelers wishing to explore the park like the dwarves, the hobbit, and the wizard. One can also take a boat cruise to explore the magnificent landscape from the rivers.
5 Turoa
Turoa is one of the ski fields in Mount Ruapehu, which was used as the filming location for the entrance to Erebor. Due to the volume of snow it receives, filming had to be done during the off-season to get the epic scene that was seen in the movie. From late June to late October, one can visit this area for some skiing adventure or visit at other times of the year to see the landscape without the snow.
4 Arcadia Station
Perhaps the most charming location from the Hobbit trilogy was the House of Beorn. All the scenic scenes of the skin changer’s house were filmed on a farm near Queensland called Arcadia Station, and the area is even more beautiful when seen in real life. This farm is characterized by tranquil water bodies, towering mountain ranges, and an abundance of green vegetation that combine to make it a paradise indeed.
3 Twizel
Located on New Zealand’s South Island, Twizel was the location used to film the Warg chase that eventually led the dwarves to take refuge in Rivendell. This town was also the filming location for the epic Battle of the Pelennor Fields in defense of the city of Minas Tirith. For travelers interested in more adventures, here are more locations from the Lord of the Rings to explore while in New Zealand.
2 Strath Taieri
The jagged rocks and mountainous landscape from the wargs chase do not all come from Twizel. Most come from Strath Taieri - a glacial valley in the South Island. While visiting this rock-filled landscape, one can recreate the chase and hide behind the rocks like the company of Thoren Oakenshield.
1 Earnslaw Burn
Earnslaw Burn was the glacier-filed location used to film the dwarves as they sneaked out of Rivendell. The area is characterized by beautiful waterfalls, a stream, and a backdrop of mountains. The area is popular among hikers as it features a 24 km out and back track that features impressive views and takes approximately 7 hours to complete.