Glenorchy - Paradise - Isengard, Lothlorien and Amon Hen

The small township of Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakitipu is a gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park with its rugged mountains, magical beech forests and the clear waters of the Dart River.

The beautiful scenery of the area provides some of the most memorable locations of the films. Peter Jackson, describing the forest home of the Elves said, 'We wanted a forest with lots of moss, ancient old logs covered in moss and a leafy forest floor'. He found that at the appropriately-named Paradise Station, a family run sheep farm complete with famous homestead named Arcadia.

Jane Campion set and shot her thriller television mini series 'Top of the Lake' here. You can explore the area yourself by car and on foot, or take a guided tour. Horse treks, canoeing and jet-boating on the river are great ways to explore this region of Middle Earth.

Horse Ride, Glenorchy by Simon Williams

NZPlaces can offer you a tour by air of the Bruinen, Lothlorien, Isengard and Amon Hen sites, with legendary Alfie Speight, who was the pilot for the filming.

LORD OF THE RINGS AND GLACIER EXPLORER

Image Credit: Paradise, Queenstown, New Zealand, 1904-1910, New Zealand, by Muir & Moodie studio. Purchased 1998 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa