Tolkien Tours in New Zealand

Lovers of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit might like to visit Middle Earth, but that’s not really a possibility.  There is, however, the next best thing:  a visit to New Zealand and the sites used for the filming of the movie versions.

Peter Jackson, the director of the films, used more than 150 locations around New Zealand to re-create Middle Earth.  Lonely Planet has a great overview of major sites to visit:  https://www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/travel-tips-and-articles/77538. 

The tour that most appeals to me is a 13-day excursion:   http://www.discovernewzealand.com/tour-package-13-day-land-of-the-hobbit-1117.  I think it would be a great way to explore the country and visit the film locations of the fantasy films.

Of course, if you don’t have the time for such a lengthy tour, it is possible to just visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, where you can take a look at Bag End, where Frodo and Bilbo’s adventures began, get lost among the hobbit holes, and visit the Green Dragon Inn, the mill, and the Party Tree (http://www.hobbitontours.com/).