A gorgeous room at the Matua Gardens Resort in Southern New Zealand
If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, a trip to New Zealand is high on your list of dream trips. The glorious scenery that stood in for Middle Earth lures all kinds of traveling film buffs, from cape-wearing elf-lovers to Gortex-clad outdoorsy types ready to scale mountain peaks.
The people of New Zealand (a.k.a. “Kiwis”) are more than willing to show you around Rivendell, Anduin River and the Gardens of Isengard, all of which can be seen on a tour of the area around Wellington.
Places to stay near Wellington:
- Boutique: Museum Hotel – 165 room boutique hotel in central Wellington city, opposite the harbor and New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa
- Business-style: Brentwood Hotel – classic hotel lodge-style, with free wifi, airport shuttle, big meeting rooms (if you want to have an impromptu LOTR convention!
- Comfortable luxury: Bay Plaza Hotel – amazing harbor views and 24 hour room service says it all
For fans who dream of joining the equestrian Rohan clan, or just want to see the place in the Southern New Zealand Alps that became Edoras, the tour to take is the Lord of the Rings Edoras Tour.
Places to stay in Southern New Zealand:
- Budget: Base Christchurch Hostel – voted best location in the city, with a separate women-only area available
- Eco-friendly: Manaaki Eco Farmstay B&B, a farm complete with sheep!
- Luxury: Matua Garden Retreat, a boutique, 5 star retreat overlooking Robinsons Bay, Akaroa Harbour.
Of course, no LOTR pilgrimage to New Zealand will be complete without a stop by the Shire, courtesy of a Hobbiton Movie Tour. Set on the Alexander Farm in Northern New Zealand, many of the hobbit hole sets are still available for you to wander through.
Even better, you can stay on a farm in the area, the beautiful rural Matamata district, including dinner, bed and breakfast in true Kiwi style. The tour can pick you up and drop you off right at the doorstep of where you’re staying!
Photo: Matua Gardens Retreat website
Related: Road Tripping New Zealand Style; 90-Mile Beach, New Zealand.
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11 Responses
Cat, if you’ve been to these places, my girl crush will know no limits! Thank you for sharing these ideas. Since I’m in the midst of my personal LOTR marathon, I could identify Rivendell from your picture.
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