Take an Inspiring Trip Down the โHobbit Trailโ in New Zealand
New Zealand is one of my favorite countries to visit, hands down. Many of you know that this is the place adrenaline junkies head to for a rush, but the following itinerary suggestions focus more on surreal natural beauty than bungee jumping, skydiving, canyon swinging, abseiling, paragliding, white water rafting, etc.
New Zealanders are among the friendliest, easy-going culture on the planet and most will welcome you with open arms to any of the following sites:
Te Papa (Wellington)
This first suggestion isnโt actually part of the Hobbit Trail since no part of the film series was captured in or near her walls, but youโll find plenty of artwork related to the series inside Te Papa. The museumโs claim is that youโll find โeverything New Zealandโ inside. Itโs a truly spectacular place to learn about Kiwi history!

Lake Pukaki (Canterbury)
The views around this glacier-fed lake will blow anyoneโs mind! This was the site that made for the fictional backdrop of Laketown in โThe Desolation of Smaugโ. Braemer Station was also used for scenes in โAn Unexpected Journeyโ. This place is an outdoorspersonโs paradise and I could spend my entire trip here. The fishingโs spectacular (seriously the biggest and most powerful browns Iโve ever fought โ and their coloring is very light by contrast with North American trout), Mount Cookโs nearby for skiing/snowboarding in the winter, the hikingโs amazing, the air some of the freshest youโll ever breathe, and there are canals adjoining Pukaki to two other large glacial lakes (Tekapu and Ohau) that you can fish, kayak or canoe in for even more amazing views of the land and water.

Wanaka (Otago Region)
Yet another glorious combo of mountain and lake coming together in perfect harmony. Mount Aspiring National Park and the gateway town of Wanaka was the backdrop for the eagles soaring through โWild Countryโ in the first film; specifically the ski run area known as โTreble Coneโ. Obviously, you can do everything here that you would at Pukaki, but the skiing is a much bigger tourist draw in the winter months. The slopes here are the longest on the South Island and not for beginners!

Nelson (on the shores of Tasman Bay)
If crisp blue waters and mountains arenโt your idea of beauty, then by this point youโre likely guessing the Hobbit Tour isnโt your bag, right? Just look at this shot of the town and surrounding mountain range taken from the Golden Bay Ferry. You canโt access the actual locations that were used to film scenes for โThe Unexpected Journeyโ, as theyโre on private land, however, youโll not feel deprived as as the hilly mountainscapes and water views will become ingrained in your soul really quickly. This town is a major hotspot for cavers too. Travel into the cave systems at Mountโs Owen and Arthur; the deepest and most explored cave systems south of the equator.

Piopio (Waitomo)
This area on the North Island was used to film scenes from Trollshawโs Forest and Straddleโs Farm in โAn Unexpected Journeyโ. The popular limestone caves hidden in this prehistoric island forest were used heavily in the movie and a tour company called Hairy Feet Waitomo Scenic Film Location Tours will take you right to the places where Gandolf bestowed Sting on Bilbo if youโre a Tolkien buff. Otherwise, this hilly landscape is awesome for hikes and rides on horseback. Like the entire country, Piopio and the whole of the Waitomo District is sure to take your breath away!

Hobbiton (Matamata)
Hobbiton will surely bring out the kid in anyone. This is a great place to kick off your trip up the Hobbit Trail, or to make a final end to your journey. The sets on this 1,250 acre sheep farm have been mostly kept in-tact. Strangely, residents of Matamata, tourists, dairy and sheep farmers and local wildlife coexist just fine in this fantasy town. Hobbiton Movie Set Tours offers daily visits throughout. I know there are other towns whoโve gained their claim to fame when movies were filmed there, but Hobbiton really takes the cake. You wonโt believe it when you see the quality craftsmanship that went into building the homes and the Hobbiton Mill.





Thatโs about it for now. I know it isnโt all the sites from the movies. Maybe Iโll do another post with even more sites from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings in the future. Those listed above should keep you plenty busy for a first trip anyhow.
Happy and safe travels!