This LoTR location map is incredible, the single best one I found.
Edoras and Hobbiton are very worth it as 1-offs — meaning great location, but just one location with nothing else near it. We thought Edoras in particular was incredible.
Queenstown is Tolkien central — Isengard, Ithilien, Amon Hen (on the driveway towards the Rosewood), Rohan, the mountains above Minas Tirith, are all there. We did it on our own using the map, but at at least one spot (Ithilien) I bumbled around looking for the right spot and then saw a van take a tour right to the correct spot of the hobbits seeing the Oliphaunts … maybe a guided tour is the right choice to see the highlights. Queenstown heights (Rohan, the Warg battle) is worth the drive, the views are great even if you aren’t a Tolkien nut.

Wellington is where the WETA studios are, and also where some of the first Shire filming was done (“Get Off the Road” as the Black Riders appear). Well worth a half-day tour.
We flew past Mordor, so can’t answer whether it’s exciting to see the volcano.

Last updated: February 2026

Amon Hen was right on the short of Lake Wakatipu, which is near Queenstown. Some location guides said the location is on private land, so it's possible the spot I photographed is near, not exactly, where Amon Hen is, but the background sure looks right.

This tree is only a 10-minute walk from where the Nazgûl rider almost finds the 4 hobbits. See the wear on the trunk of the tree from innumerable nerds climbing.

The hobbits hid from the black rider in a park right near downtown Wellington. The tree root they hide underneath is a total prop, but you can see the tree roots in the background line up.

Definitely a perfect match of this Legolas scene.

I was really really close to the right spot for Legolas here, but couldn't figure out the framing to make it just right. Oh well

On the way to Edoras, a 2-hour drive from Christchurch

The flag of Rohan proudly displayed. You can see how windy it is in this valley.

The hill used for Edoras from below. The golden hall was on the far left of this rocky hillside.

The cliff where Aragorn fell. Right below this is ... Queenstown airport.

Gandalf arriving in Minas Tirith. Except it's Tiffany

This is the valley where Isengard lies ... we ran out of time to get super close, but evidently to have the right "view" that looks like where the wizard's vale is, you need to be on private land.

Welcome to the North Island! These eagles were installed in 2013 for the Hobbit, and taken down just 3 months after our January 2025 visit so we feel fortunate.

The lobby has several figures left over from movie concepts.

Lurtz is in the WETA lobby

The WETA workshop in Wellington shows how they made magic. Several goblins are placed in front.

Edoras is a multi-hour van ride from Christchurch, but we thought it was worth it. The site is such an incredibly evocative location, and all the wind you see in the movies was easy to "imagine".

TIffany is on the ridge where Gandalf rode towards Minas Tirith. This is also near the warg attack. The gorgeous mountains in the background were The Remarkables.

The spot where Aragorn falls off the cliff .... is a perfect viewing point for Queenstown airport. All about the angles.

Deer Park Heights right near Queenstown was where they filmed many scenes: the warg attack, the spot where the Rohan refugees walk away from Edoras, where Gandalf rides towards Minas Tirith .... Peter Jackson obviously loved it.

Tiffany makes better stew than Eowyn. Maybe a mile from the location of the warg attack.

Lake Matheson