3. Twizel, Canterbury, New Zealand
Not surprisingly, many of the destinations for Tolkien tourists are in New Zealand, where the six Peter Jackson films were made. Who can forget the pivotal scene where kick-ass Eowyn declares “I am no man” before she slays the Lord of the Nazgûl? The Battle of Pelennor Fields was filmed around Twizel in Mackenzie Country, not too far from Christchurch in the South Island. The grassy field in the foothills where orcs raged it out is on private land, but you can take a tour that lets you re-enact the battle in full costume, should your inner geek desire.
4. Matamata, New Zealand
The best place for visitors to feel like they’ve gone to The Shire is in Hobbiton, a village near Matamata on the North Island. The lush and whimsical set from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogies has been left intact and is one of the major tourist attractions in the country. Minor fans and uber-fanatics alike will enjoy a tour of Hobbiton. See the Hobbit Holes, The Mill, The Green Dragon Inn and the double arched bridge, and feel like you’ve stepped into the rolling green hills of the Middle Earth Shire.
