Jolyon Attwoll, The Daily Telegraph, December 13, 2013
The newest Middle Earth film, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, is released in British cinemas today. While the reception has been mixed, New Zealand looks as magnificent as ever. Below are a few of the places that feature locations from the film.
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Pelorus River, Marlborough, South Island
(Middle Earth: Forest River)
Where can I spot it in the film?
The trip
Pelorus Eco Adventures offers river canoe trips through the filming locations in inflatable tandem canoes. From $85/£43 per person for a three and a half hour journey.
kayak-newzealand.com
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Turoa, Ohakune, North Island
(Middle Earth: Hidden Bay, Lonely Mountain)
This ski area high is on the flanks of the active volcano Mount Ruhapehu in the North Island’s great Central Plateau.
Where can I spot it in the film?
This is Hidden Bay, the entrance to The Lonely Mountain in the film, and the watchful eyes of the giant craggy bust of Thror.
The trip
The North Island’s main driving route passes directly through this region and Tongariro National Park. Take in the scenery on the 19.4km Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks, or on two wheels via New Zealand Cycle Trail Network – Nga Haerenga including the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail. There are also chairlifts, with rides starting from NZ $30/£15 per adult.
www.mtruapehu.com/summer/chairlift-rides
Lake Pukaki, Mt Cook, South Island
(Middle Earth: Lake-Town)
Where can I spot it in the film?
An extensive outdoor set built for The Hobbit Trilogy was created at Tasman Downs Station on the shores of Lake Pukaki. The whimsical lakeside village set sits over water incorporating clusters of two-storey wooden dwellings arranged around connecting walkways, waterways and wharves.
The trip
Take in the sweeping Alpine scenery on a scenic flight. There are glaciers and snow, cross country tours by 4WD and Argo, and glacier exploring by boat. The Alps to Ocean cycle trail starts in Aoraki and travels almost 200 miles to the coastal town of Oamaru. The southern edge of Lake Pukaki forms one section of Te Araroa - The Long Pathway, the walking trail that goes the length of the country. A 25-minute flight costs from NZ$265/£133 per person with The Helicopter Line.
www.helicopter.co.nz
Paradise, Queenstown, South Island
(Middle Earth: Beorn’s House)
Where can I spot it in the film?
Arcadia Station – a high country farm in Paradise Valley near Queenstown – was chosen as the setting for Beorn’s House in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Originally designed in England, the homestead at Arcadia Station beside Diamond Lake was built in 1906.
The trip
Next to Arcadia Station, Dart Stables runs horse treks through locations including where Boromir met his doom at Amon Hen in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Several horses from Dart Stables were also used in the Trilogy. Alternatively head to the skies for a scenic tour of the landscapes from above with Glenorchy Air. From NZ $175/£89 per person with return transport from Queenstown.
www.dartstables.com
Other Hobbit-related activities
The Hobbiton Movie set in Matamata has grown to become one of New Zealand’s most loved attractions. Hobbit Holes and key landmarks throughout The Shire including The Green Dragon Inn are now wired with power, giving the chance to enjoy twilight tours with the set lit against a dusk sky. Hobbit Hole chimneys billow smoke into the sky, the faint sound of flutes and fiddles floats through the air. The oak tree that sits above Bag End has also just been re-leafed (376,000 leaves).
Tours
Bridge & Wickers (020 3411 0711; bridgeandwickers.co.uk ) offers a ten-night Hobbit themed stay from £2,997 per person. Starting on the North Island’s Tongariro National Park, this self-drive tour takes in Marlborough and Lake Pukaki before a final four days in Queenstown. The price includes Air New Zealand flights from Heathrow, eleven days car rental and accommodation in some of New Zealand’s best hotels.
Tour of Hobbiton package
Guests can take a trip to Hobbiton during a holiday in Auckland and Rotorua – which is a 45 minute drive from the attraction. Austravel (0800 988 4834, www.austravel.com ) has an eight-day holiday on offer with prices from £1,249 per person for departures in April 2014. The offer includes a three night stay at Rydges Auckland, two nights at Rydges Hotel Rotorua and a two night stay at the Pauanui Pines Motor Lodge on the Coromandel Peninsula. Four days’ car hire is also included.
Watch: a tour of the Hobbit film set
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