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…for my kids, who are "Lord of the Rings" fans. We'd like to see the landscapes, not the movie studios. Recommendations gratefully received here or via e-mail. Thanks.
ADDENDUM: After Wellington, we fly to Queenstown, then drive on to Fiordland and then from there to Dunedin. Any advice for the South Island welcome too!
My memory is that the Wellington locations used in LoTR (around Horokiwi quarry?) aren't much to see with the sets demolished. I recommend a trip to the Massey memorial, which looks like a set from LoTR even though it isn't. "Zealandia" (formerly the Karori wildlife sanctuary) is also worthwhile. For a true Jackson fan, the pilgrimage is to Makara Beach, where most of his first film, Bad Taste, was made.
You really want to get yourself to the South Island if you want to see LOTR style landscapes.
BL: We are going there too, and welcome tips! We fly into Queenstown, then will drive to Fiordland, then drive on to Dunedin.
Here are some pages:
Wellington: http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/wellington/tours/lord-of-the-rings-tours
Queenstown: http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/wellington/tours/lord-of-the-rings-tours
Fiordland: http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/fiordland/tours/lord-of-the-rings-tours
Couldn't find anything for Dunedin.
BL COMMENT: Many thanks!
When I was helping my friend plan her New Zealand/Middle-earth tour, we found this site particularly useful:
http://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/middle-earth/#middle-earth-activities-1
It's not all Wellington-area, but there are some resources there that may help you get started.
It's not LOTR-related, but for Dunedin, Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula is well worth a visit, and has spectacular, almost 360 degree views of both sides of the peninsula. While on the peninsula, I found the yellow-eyed penguin encounter pretty special. The kids might like the Cadbury chocolate factory tour in Dunedin too: lots of free samples.
My kid loved the tour at Twizel on the South Island. It's where they filmed the charge of the cavalry of Rohan (i.e. a bunch of NZ farm horses). Plus you can dress up as a Nazgul, should your tastes run that way.
When you're in the Te Anau area, coming back from Fiordland and heading back for Fiordland, you might have a look at Lake Manapouri. We used to stay in a beautiful old guest house there, Murrells:
The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy (at the far end of Lake Wakatipu) is well worth doing. If you have the time (and energy!) you might also consider walking into the first hut of the Routeburn track, which begins not too far from Glenorchy.
It may be a bit off your route, but you'll not regret a detour to visit Mt. John Observatory, which is between Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. The views of the Mackenzie country are breathtaking.
This LOTR tour – the full day version – is excellent. http://www.wellingtonrover.co.nz/index.php/lord-of-the-rings-tours
It also gets you out of Wellington and you see some of the beaches and mountains nearby. Don't believe Josh Parsons; there are plenty of LOTR sites that are worth seeing and look just like they do in the films.
Around wellington city there isn't much location wise. The exception is Mt Victoria which is just on the edge of the CBD, behind the Embassy Theatre where the world premiere for Return of the King and the first Hobbit movie were screened. You will get much better scenery in the South Island where you are going.
I would also definitely recommend visiting Mt John – Lonely Planet describes it as "possibly one of the planet's best locations for a cafe" – the views are stunning!
The Details re Wellington here: http://www.mydestination.com/wellington/travel-articles/721353/searching-for-the-lord-of-the-rings
Here is also a list of locations that was on Department of Conservation land and therefore should be publicly accessible (some of the places are harder to get to than others): http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/lord-of-the-rings-locations/
For more comprehensive information The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook is probably your best bet. You could definitely pick this up in NZ but here is the Amazon link to what I think is the latest edition: http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Location-Guidebook-Brodie/dp/1869509269/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374039216&sr=1-3&keywords=Ian+Brodie
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