The Hobbit trilogy was released between 2012 and 2014. Set sixty years before The Lord of the Rings, the films focus on a younger Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) who is recruited to help a group of dwarves takes back their home from a dragon. Like its predecessor, The Hobbit’s filming locations were in New Zealand.
Some Hobbit filming locations include Matamata, Piopio, and Fiordland National Park.
The Hobbit Filming Location In Matamata
The small horse breeding town consisting of 8,000 residents is located on the North Island of New Zealand.
A farm near the town of Matamata was a filming location for Hobbiton, the Hobbits’ homeland. This location served as Hobbiton in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series. It is part of The Shire, an out-of-the-way region most people ignore. In turn, Hobbits of The Shire have little interest in world affairs.
After The Lord of the Rings was filmed, skeletal structures of the set remained as a tourist attraction. The familiarity of the area probably made it an obvious choice for a Hobbiton filming location. The site is New Zealand’s third most popular tourist attraction, bringing in 17% of all tourists visiting the country. The Hobbit film set currently receives 300,000 visitors and $78 million per year.
A “Welcome to Hobbiton” sign is proudly featured on the main road.
The Hobbit Filming Location In Piopio
Piopio is a village of 460 residents located between the Waitomo caves and the Taranaki coast.
Denize Bluffs, a farm on the outskirts of Piopio, was the filming location for the iconic scene where Bilbo and his companions are nearly eaten by trolls. Gandalf arrives just in time to save the would-be victims. Sixty years later, the trolls who were turned into stone by the wizard are still where Bilbo and his friends left them.
Like many other Middle-earth locations, Piopio is a tourist attraction in New Zealand. Tours of the location are available all year.
The Hobbit Filming Location In Twizel
Twizel is a town of 1,600 located on the South Island of New Zealand. Named after the nearby Twizel River and Twizel Bridge in the UK, it was founded as a settlement for construction workers building a nearby hydroelectric scheme.
Twizel’s outskirts served as the filming location for the scene where Bilbo and the dwarves are chased by Warg riders before taking refuge in Rivendell. Of course, it would turn out that was not the last of the Wargs and their riders, who made an appearance at The Battle of Five Armies.
The Hobbit films were not the location’s first encounter with Middle-earth. The legendary Battle of the Pelennor Fields in the final The Lord of the Rings film was shot at Twizel as well.
The Hobbit Filming Location In Pelorus River
Pelorus River is a water body in the north of New Zealand’s South Island. The river flows from the Richmond Range into Pelorus Sound.
The thrilling scene where Bilbo’s companions escape from the elves in barrels was filmed at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve. This rather unusual mode of transport is what leads to Bilbo calling himself Barrel Rider. Unfortunately, that impressive title results in dire consequences for the men of Dale.
Visitors are now able to re-enact the daring escape if they choose to go exploring any of The Hobbit filming locations at Pelorus River.
The Hobbit Filming Location In Lake Pukaki
Lake Pukaki is located on New Zealand’s South Island. It is a few kilometers from Twizel, another prominent filming location for The Hobbit movies.
The surrounding area was chosen as the filming location for Lake-town. This is where The Desolation of Smaug comes to its tragic climax in the second installment of the trilogy. It is also where Bard, a fan favorite, shows unwavering courage in the face of a fierce dragon.
The acclaimed 2018 film, A Wrinkle in Time was also filmed on the shores of Lake Pukaki.
The Hobbit Filming Location In Queenstown
The New Zealand South Island town of 16,000 is located near a number of mountains. From the resort town, one can view The Remarkables, Cecil Peak and Walter Peak. It is situated on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, the third-largest New Zealand lake.
With such natural wonders, it is obvious why this town was chosen for a number of locations to film The Hobbit. Beorn’s house and the Misty Mountain Paths were both filmed in Queenstown. Fans will remember Beorn’s house as the home of an admittedly dangerous but friendly skin-changer who gives Bilbo and the team refuge.
Movies depicting Middle-earth are not the only productions filmed in Queenstown. Other notable shows and movies include America’s Next Top Model, The Mole, and Lane Bridge.
The Hobbit Filming Location In Miramar Peninsula Wellington
Wellington is sometimes referred to as the Hollywood of New Zealand. Accordingly, a number of scenes from both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed here. One of these locations is Miramar Peninsula, near the Harbor in southeastern Wellington.
Miramar Peninsula contains Peter Jackson’s studios. As a result, it is the site of numerous filming locations in The Hobbit trilogy. For instance, most Dale scenes were shot in the area.
The Hobbit Filming Location In Turoa
Turoa is a ski field on the southwest of Mount Ruapehu, the tallest mountain in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located in Tongariro National Park.
The slopes of Turoa in Ruapehu was the filming location for Hidden Bay, the entrance to the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit movies.
Mount Ruapehu has been featured in other films. These include Smash Palace, Without A Paddle, and unsurprisingly The Lord of the Rings original film series.
The Hobbit Filming Location On Mount Cook
Located on the South Island of New Zealand, Mount Cook is the highest mountain in the country. Its height measures just over 3,000 km.
This imposing structure was chosen as the filming location for the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit trilogy. The mountain, lost home of the dwarves, is a central location in the film series. The desire to retake it and retrieve treasure stolen by Smaug is the catalyst for the entire plot.
The Hobbit Filming Location At The Fiordland National Park
The Fiordland National Park is the largest national park in New Zealand. It is characterized by valleys, peaks, lakes, and waterfalls.
Several iconic productions, including The Lord of the Rings, were filmed at Fiordland. In The Hobbit trilogy, the park will be forever remembered as the background as the eagles flew Bilbo and the dwarves to safety.
Milford Track, Fiordland
Other films shot at this location include X-Men Origins, Willow, Alien, and Jurassic Park.
Conclusion
New Zealand is a big and beautiful country with outstanding scenery. The Hobbit’s film locations above are by no means the only representations of Middle-earth in New Zealand. Other places include Wanaka and Nelson Tasman.
Best of all, most of these places are open to tourists. Whether you want to visit the Lonely Mountains or Lake-town, your Hobbit filming location holiday is just a ticket away.