New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth

New Zealand has drawn storytellers and filmmakers for decades, but nothing put its landscapes on the world stage like Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. The country's unspoiled scenery became Middle-earth itself — and "set-jetting" fans can still follow the films across both islands.

The filmmaking hub

Wellington, the capital, is the heart of New Zealand's film industry, home to Peter Jackson's studios and the Oscar-winning Wētā Workshop and Wētā FX (the talent behind The Lord of the Rings, King Kong and Avatar). The Wētā Workshop experience in Miramar offers behind-the-scenes tours and a close look at the craft.

Where Middle-earth comes to life

• Hobbiton — the permanent Shire film set near Matamata, complete with hobbit holes and the Green Dragon Inn.
• Tongariro National Park — the volcanic landscapes that became Mordor.
• Fiordland and the Southern Alps — the backdrops for countless epic vistas.
• Glenorchy, near Queenstown — Isengard and beyond.

Follow the trail in comfort

Swain Destinations builds Middle-earth experiences — including private Hobbiton visits and Wellington's film studios — into tailor-made New Zealand journeys.