Movies Filmed in New Zealand: The Ultimate Film Set Location Guide

From the mystical realms of Middle Earth to the enchanted landscapes of Narnia, some of cinema's most magical worlds come from movies filmed in New Zealand. In the past thirty years, the 'land of the long white cloud' has become a top choice for some of the world's best filmmakers, and a pilgrimage for film buffs everywhere.

Part of the pull lies in New Zealand's diversity: one morning you're zig-zagging through Wellington's café-lined lanes, the next you're deep in Fiordland mist that looks as if it's waiting for an orchestral swell.

The spotlight has swung to the pretty country once again, this time to a live-action Minecraft film and a world-first destination DLC (downloadable content, for non-Minecrafters) that lets anyone mine blocks of New Zealand from their sofa before heading across the Pacific.

The result is a choose-your-own-adventure where pixels and paddocks line up perfectly.

Director Jared Hess (and his excellent cast including Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Jennifer Coolidge) couldn't be constrained to just one New Zealand location for this year's most anticipated release.

Tourism New Zealand saw an opening wider than a Nether portal and partnered with Mojang and Warner Bros. to drop the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC, the first destination ever rendered inside Minecraft proper.

Live on the Marketplace and completely free, the add-on rebuilds six regions at 1:1 inspired scale. You'll find Waitomo, Rotorua, Kāpiti Island, Abel Tasman, Lake Tekapo, and Doubtful Sound, with sprinkling in Māori carvings, taonga pūoro soundscapes and missions that are an awesome companion to real-world adventures.

In the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, at Waikato, you can raft beneath a ceiling of bio-luminescent pixels; the real caves swap squares for silk threads and the smell of limestone after rain.

Local guides trace the route first explored by Māori chief Tane Tinorau, then hand you a helmet for the upper caverns' squeeze-through passages. Virtual geysers erupt on schedule, when exploring Te Puia in Rotorua, but the sulfur sting and choir-of-kākā screech only happen in person. Carvers at the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute chip away at tōtara in the shadow of Pōhutu geyser.

For kiwi spotting (outside of the game) Kāpiti Island in Wellington puts you on an early ferry with a head-torch for the nocturnal tour, where you're rewarded by little spotted kiwis shuffling between pōhutukawa roots.

And in Lake Tekapo the DLC switches to night mode so you can stargaze; on-the-ground you're inside an International Dark Sky Reserve where the Milky Way is bright enough to cast shadows.

Where to stay: Accommodation runs from Lake Tekapo's sky-watching lodges to lakeside hotels in Rotorua; book ahead for Rotorua weekends and Fiordland's fickle weather windows.

Address: Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo, State Highway 8, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of hobbits and wizards by exploring the iconic film locations of The Hobbit trilogy's Middle Earth. Take a guided tour on the captivating Hobbiton Movie Set in the heart of Matamata, where the Shire comes to life before you. This meticulously preserved outdoor set takes you on a journey through the charming hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and the party tree that made the Shire so endearing on the big screen.

Large chunks of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey were also filmed in New Zealand, in Piopio near Waitomo. Hairy Feet Waitomo are the location tour specialists to talk to for a journey almost as exciting as Bilbo's, just fewer orcs and trolls. Experience the thrill of walking through the very paths where Bilbo Baggins began his unexpected journey.

Where to stay: Stay in the nearby city of Hamilton to be close to the must-see Middle Earth attractions as well as city excitement.

Address: Novotel Hamilton Tainui, 7 Alma Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton, New Zealand

Extending the Middle Earth universe, The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) was filmed entirely in New Zealand, a fact many Kiwis are very proud of. The trilogy serves as an unofficial Tourism New Zealand campaign, awash with ruggedly beautiful localities and spectacular views.

If you're a stickler for detail, the exact filming locations such as Mt Sunday, in the Canterbury region (the site of Edoras) - we recommend staying nearby at Fable Terrace Downs Resort by MGallery.

Other locations like Mt. Doom (Mt. Ngauruhoe) are a bit of a trek to get to and can be seen whilst hiking the Tongariro Crossing near Taupo. True fans must be sure to also visit Kaitoke Regional Park, an oasis of natural beauty and outstanding scenery. Here, director Sir Peter Jackson depicts Rivendell, the Elvish city that Elrond called home in the first film: The Fellowship of the Ring.

A little further off the beaten track is Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain, located on the South Island. This impressive setting became the filming location for Lake-town in both the second film and the third film in the trilogy: The Two Towers and The Return of the King.

There are a slew of LOTR tours available, most of which offer transport from the nearest township or city to the locations, provide insider knowledge of the filming that took place, and even have costumes and swords to really get you into character.

Where to stay: Queenstown; The Remarkables mountain range in Queenstown served as the Misty Mountains, and Deer Park Heights nearby was used for Rohan.

Address: Peppers Beacon Queenstown, 34 Lake Esplanade, Queenstown, New Zealand

Another classic by Sir Peter Jackson, the 2005 remake of King Kong was also almost entirely filmed in New Zealand. The city of Wellington and its surrounds were used to recreate the city of New York and the legendary Skull Island (Shelly Bay), while the famous Wētā Workshop worked on special effects. The ship 'Venture' from the film was moored at Miramar Wharf for five years, and its remains can now be found on the harbor floor making a spectacular artificial reef for sea creatures and miscellaneous.

Where to stay: Auckland, where the historic Auckland Civic Theatre played host to the legendary King Kong under the guise of a New York Theater called the Alhambra for the remake. This eccentric building, completed in 1929 now has category-one New Zealand heritage status and is the largest surviving atmospheric cinema in Australasia.

Address: Pullman Auckland, Cnr Waterloo Quadrant and Princes Street, Auckland, New Zealand

The majority of the Chronicle of Narnia movie series, starring James McAvoy and Tilda Swinton, were filmed in New Zealand at some of New Zealand's most scenic filming locations. Two outstanding coastal sites served as key settings for the film: Cathedral Cove and Woodhill Forest.

The beautiful Woodhill Forest, just northwest of Auckland, was transformed into the dreaded camp of the White Witch of Narnia. The forest is now famous for its network of mountain biking trails, and is a popular destination for riders of all levels.

Cathedral Cove, located on the eastern shore of the peninsula is where the main characters discover the ruins of 'Cair Paravel'. A breathtaking spot characterized by its deep river chasm that's book-ended by cascading waterfalls, Cathedral Cove is worth a visit even if you're not a film buff.

Where to stay: You'll want to visit this stunning cove a few times, so stay at the Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort just a short drive away.

Address: 42 Mount Avenue, Pauanui Beach, New Zealand

The previously lauded Wētā Workshop in Wellington was where the magic of James Cameron's Avatar was brought to life. Not quite filmed in New Zealand as such, but Wētā FX built groundbreaking motion-capture rigs and rendered nearly every frame inside its unassuming sound stages.

That cluster of studios, cafés, and prop warehouses has earned Wellington the nickname “Wellywood,” and travellers can tap straight into the hubbub. Book a 90-minute Wētā Workshop Experience for a hands-on look at Na'vi arrows and silicone creature heads, then pop next door to the Wētā Cave mini-museum and shop for one-of-a-kind collectibles.

Where to stay: The actual workshop is located in Miramar, Wellington, where you can go on guided tours and workshop experiences to discover more about film making and movie effects.

Address: Mövenpick Hotel Wellington, 345 The Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand

Written and directed by New Zealand's Jane Campion, extraordinary film The Piano (1993) was filmed in Karekare, a hugely popular surf beach about 40 minutes out of Auckland.

Campion needed a coastline that felt both untamed and intimate, and she found it with this ribbon of iron-rich sand so dark it scorches bare feet on sunny days. This became the gothic threshold where Ada (Holly Hunter) and her daughter are marooned beside a salt-sprayed piano.

Incoming tides gave the crew two-hour windows to shoot before surf swallowed the set, and local surf-lifesavers were drafted to help haul the 150-kilogram prop piano across the dunes. The gamble paid off. The Piano won the Palme d'Or, three Oscars, and launched 11-year-old Anna Paquin into history as the second-youngest Academy Award winner ever.

Today the same drama still hangs in the air. A short rainforest track behind the surf club leads to Karekare Falls, while the Mercer Bay Loop just north delivers cliff top views that mirror the film's wide shots.

Where to stay: To make the most of your visit to Karekare, stay in nearby Auckland and enjoy the best of New Zealand's North Island alongside your cinephile tourism.

Address: Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, 21 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland Central, Auckland, New Zealand

Whether you're a fan of fantasy epics or indie dramas, there's a film location in New Zealand that will transport you straight into your favourite scenes. And at the end of your journey, unwind in the comfort of an Accor hotel in New Zealand, ready to dream about the unforgettable adventures that await you tomorrow.

New Zealand's ever-growing popularity as an international filmmaking destination means if you're a movie fan, you're most definitely spoiled for choice when it comes to film locations to discover.

Famous films, Hollywood blockbusters, and beloved indie movies have filmed plenty of scenes in and around New Zealand. Key filming locations can be found the length and breadth of Aotearoa, and we hope this guide inspires you to start exploring some of the most popular – and fun – film locations in New Zealand.