Top 5 Spots to Make Like a Movie Star
From
Middle Earth to Narnia, New Zealand’s majestic scenery has provided inspiration for some of Hollywood’s top directors. We’ll show you where you can walk in the footsteps of the stars…
Civic Theatre, Auckland – Remember King Kong breaking free of his chains in ‘New York’ in Peter Jackson’s 2005 film?
Auckland’s exotic art deco Civic Theatre provided the location for that scene. Decked out in plush deco Oriental style, it’s one of only a few atmospheric theatres left in the world. Catch a show here while you’re in town and enjoy the ambience!
‘Hobbiton’, Matamata - Head to the small town of
Matamata to see the working
Waikato farm that was transformed into the shire of
Hobbiton. You can take a tour with Hobbiton Movie Set and
Farm Tours.
Cathedral Cove, Coromandel Peninsula - With its crescent of white sand and huge rock archway, Cathedral Cove was the setting for the opening scenes of The Narnia Chronicles: Prince Caspian. Take the Coastal Walkway from Hahei and enjoy the views along the way, go sea kayaking and have a cappuccino on the beach or visit the Narnia movie sites by boat. (The arch’s walk-through access is currently closed).
Mount Ruapheu, Tongariro – Go hiking on lofty
Mount Ruapehu in
Tongariro National Park and you could be following in the footsteps of Frodo and Sam as they climbed Mount Doom in their final quest to destroy the ring.
Wellywood - or
Wellington as it is fondly dubbed by Kiwis, has more movie locations than you can shake a stick at, and it’s also home to Peter Jacksons award-winning Weta Workshop. Have a coffee at the famous Chocolate Fish café, where the cast of LOTR used to hang, visit the
Weta Cave and share in the Wellywood magic, or discover your inner elf on a
movie tour.
