The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Filming Locations in New Zealand

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) is the first film of Peter Jackson's trilogy, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel. The whole trilogy was filmed entirely in New…

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) is the first film of Peter Jackson's trilogy, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel. The whole trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand, between October 1999 and December 2000, using more than 150 locations across both the North and South Islands.

This is Part 1 of our three-part guide — one film at a time. Here are five real places behind The Fellowship of the Ring: the Shire, Rivendell, Mordor, Nen Hithoel, and the River Anduin, each with its address and how to visit. Part 2 (The Two Towers) and Part 3 (The Return of the King) follow.

One honest note before you go: Hobbiton is the only set that is still standing, and the only stop on this list that is paid and guided-tour-only. The other four are natural landscapes where the film sets were removed after shooting — you visit the scenery itself, not a set.

Information checked: November 4, 2026.

Where is the Shire in real life?

Hobbiton Movie Set, 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, Matamata 3472, in the Waikato region of the North Island. The 12-acre set sits on the Alexander family sheep farm, with 44 hobbit holes, the Mill, and Bag End — home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. The tour ends at the Green Dragon Inn with a complimentary drink.

The set is on private farmland and can only be visited on a guided tour. Tours depart from The Shire's Rest at 501 Buckland Road, take about 2.5 hours, and cost NZ$130 for adults (valid for departures through March 31, 2028), NZ$65 for youth aged 11–17, and free for children aged 0–10 (a ticket is still required). Book ahead — it is about 2 hours from Auckland and 45 minutes from Hamilton and Rotorua.

Where was Rivendell filmed?

Kaitoke Regional Park, Waterworks Road, SH2, Pakuratahi, Upper Hutt 5372, about 45 minutes north of Wellington. The park's ancient native forest was the setting for the exterior Rivendell scenes in The Fellowship of the Ring (2001).

The set was removed after filming. A replica Elven Archway and information boards now mark the spot, a short walk across the bridge from the Pākuratahi Forks car park. The park is free and open to the public, and the Hutt River gorge runs through it.

Where is Mount Doom in real life?

Mount Ngauruhoe (2,291 metres) in Tongariro National Park, in the centre of the North Island. Its near-perfect cone stood in for Mount Doom, the volcano of Mordor where the One Ring was forged and destroyed. Filming used the lower slopes and the surrounding volcanic landscape, with digital fire and smoke completing the illusion.

The summit is sacred (tapu) to the local Māori iwi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and climbing it is discouraged — the Department of Conservation removed the summit trail markers in 2017. Admire the cone from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (19.4 kilometres, 6–8 hours) or from the Desert Road. The same park also holds Tawhai Falls (Gollum's Pool) and Meads Wall (Emyn Muil).

Where did the Fellowship break apart?

North Mavora Lake, Mavora Lakes Road, Mavora 9672, about 45 minutes from Te Anau in Southland. This is Nen Hithoel and Parth Galen — the Fellowship's final camp on the River Anduin, where Boromir fell, and where Frodo and Sam took a boat and left the Fellowship behind.

South Mavora Lake and the Mararoa River nearby were used for the Fellowship's departure from Lothlórien. Mavora Lakes Conservation Park is free public land on a gravel road, with camping by the lakes. The surrounding forest edge also stood in for Fangorn Forest — that is a Part 2 stop.

Which river is the Anduin?

The Waiau River, between Te Anau and Manapouri in Southland. The Fellowship's river journey south from Lothlórien was filmed here. The easiest access is Rainbow Reach Road, about 11 kilometres south of Te Anau on State Highway 95; the river also runs alongside the Kepler Track.

A sourcing note: the Anduin was filmed on several rivers, not one. The Waiau is the river for these Fellowship shots; the Rangitikei, Moawhango and Hutt rivers stood in for the Anduin elsewhere, and the Argonath background was the Kawarau River near Queenstown — the giant statues themselves were created digitally.

Can you visit all five places in one trip?

Not in one day. Three of the five are on the North Island (Hobbiton, Kaitoke, Tongariro) and two are on the South Island (Mavora Lakes, Waiau River), so a full tour needs both islands — realistically a week or more with a rental car. Hobbiton is the only paid, guided-tour-only stop; the other four are free public land and parks. Check weather and track conditions before the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and drive carefully on the gravel road to Mavora Lakes.