With that target in mind, how much faster could the . The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a hike through some of New Zealand's most popular volcanoes in the North Island, including Mount Doom and other sections of Mordor from theLord of the Ringsfilms. Of course, you wouldnt be weighed down by the worlds most powerful evil hanging around your neck, either. Earnslaw Burn is perhaps the most spectacular of all the locations in The Hobbit Trilogy. Each challenge completed leads to five trees planted or 50 plastic bottles saved. All the Top New Features in MacOS Ventura. The drive up to the car park can be hazardous, so I recommend only doing this hike in good weather. Also if there are any towns you'd recommend stopping in for the night I'm sure we will all be pleased to sleep in a proper bed occasionally. Frodo also stopped for a good while in both Rivendell and Lothlorien. TOP 101. 2022 New Zealand Tourism Guide. By You won't be able to. About 45 mins. The choice of that mountain as Mount Doom was interesting, I thought, as the mountain's name comes from name of the slave of the priest Ngatoro who died on its summit, either from cold, or as a sacrifice to the Gods, depending on the legend. Glacier-carved valleys, sparkling rivers and rugged mountainous landscapes await you at Edoras, a must-do stop on any Lord of the Rings hiking tour in New Zealand. Only Bag End is featured extensively. Apple has officially released MacOS 13. About 7.5 hrs from Mount Owen/Nelson Mount Sunday played the role of the city of Edoras in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Make your trip easier and buy a detailed New Zealand map. . Guided tours run devotees through pastoral farmland and rolling green hills to the detailed set, chockfull of brightly colored hobbit holes and gardens (including Bilbo's Bag End home); past the. About 2 hrs. Bestseller. 458 MILES from Hobbiton to Rivendell ! It is also famous forthe Tongariro Crossing - an iconic kiwi day hike. Its no surprise that it was chosen as the beautiful backdrop for Isengard. The price is based on current exchange rates but is only an approximation. Some reading on the "Shire" and Hobbiton if you cba to read the books: . Aoraki / Mt Cooks celestial landscapes shone to full effect during the memorable opening scene of The Two Towers in an area so magical Peter Jackson revisited it for The Desolation of Smaug where some of the scenes were set against a backdrop of the bright turquoise Lake Pukaki. The Beach, 85Beach Road, from Kaitoke Regional ParkThe Hutt River throughout Upper Hutt was used to portray the Anduin River in The Fellowship of the Ring when the Fellowship paddles along the Anduin in Elven canoes. Electric cars, the pandemic, and changing consumer behavior are now causing other automakers to embrace the shift. A New Drug Switched Off My Appetite. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/waikato/waitomo-pureora/pureora-forest-park/. There are signs and maps all over the park pointing out where buildings like Frodos bedroom were constructed and which trees can be seen in the movies. Make sure you are literally, on the right track, otherwise you will end up at Taumarunui. Explore NewZealand - the real Middleearth - and follow in the footsteps of Bilbo, Frodo and Samfrom Tongariro National Park in the north, to Treble Cone and the Misty Mountains pathway in the south. Do you want to be the first who gets the news directly to your mailbox? The app recreates the fellowship's journey from the Shire to Mount Doom by counting your steps and comparing it to the actual (okay, fictional) distance in the books and movies. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Find Hobbit-themed tourisms epicenter in this artsy little capital and film hub, which recently hosted The Hobbit world premiere (at the stylishly refurbished 1920s Embassy Theatre). from Auckland. The Lord of the Rings Filming Locations in Ohakune. This scenic movie set is preserved just as it appeared in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.. Middle Earth comes to life before you the moment you step onto its picturesque landscape. New Zealand/Aotearoa is calling all halflings, elves and sorcerers on a quest through the ethereal and fantastical landscapes of the North Island, taking in The Shire to Mordor.. When it comes to your personal exercise journey, you bow to no one. Getting there: The start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be reached by car or a pre-booked shuttle bus. from Lake Pukaki lookoutPelennor Fields is the location outside of Minas Tirith where the largest battle of the War of the Ring took place. (LogOut/ It accounts for the longer distance recorded in Tolkien's book. You'd still have to average 4.8 miles a day. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed all around New Zealand. Perhaps someone else can. Ever wonder just how far Frodo and Sam walked in The Lord of the Rings trilogy? However, thanks to Airbnb, one can now walk into Hobbiton, the official Shire home from The Lord of the Rings series, and spend the night . Whats Left? What is the weather like in the South Island in September. Frodo didnt always travel on foot. The track starts from SH46 near Lake Rotoaira. But the route cdn posted looks perfect! The South Island portion of this road trip could be a stand-alone trip or continued from the North Island portion by ferry. With crystal clear waters, framed by native forest its easy to see why Pelorus River was chosen for the Dwarves in Barrels scene during The Desolation of Smaug. Appendix C. 50th Anniversary ed. Just like a giant could walk further in a day than a human, its only logical a human could walk further in a day than a Hobbit. Gentle streams dissect emerald green valleys as giant mountains stand sentinel and ancient glaciers tumble to the sea. This might not be the best place to post for advice like this, but I'm doing as much research as I can so hopefully somebody here has some good advice. Brian Heater. That's not long after another high-profile fantasy show, the Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon, debuts on HBO Max. Tag along on her travels through Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, and Latin Americaand on the high seas in betweenas she reports back to Fodors.com on captivating cruises, hot hotels, and timely travel trends. Surrounded by rugged terrain and watched over by ancient geological creations is the Putangirua Pinnacles track. This portion of the road trip begins in Auckland where most international flights come in. Lord Of The Rings: The Shire (Concerning Hobbits) - Geek Music, A THE LORD OF THE RINGS Musical Heads to the UK Stage, LOTR: RETURN OF THE KING Returning to Theaters for 20th Anniversary, 5 Middle-earth Stories the New LORD OF THE RINGS Movies Should Tell, Go On a Journey with THE LORD OF THE RINGS ADVENTURE BOOK GAME, New LORD OF THE RINGS Movies in the Works (Yes, Really), MAGIC: THE GATHERING Headsto Middle-earth with LORD OF THE RINGS Set, Send Sauron a Letter with LOTR Black Speech Keyboard. I've checked out their route and it looks like they went through they Waikato River trails too, but then stuck to the main road for the rest of their journey. You need to buy hut passes - usually $5 a night, sometimes a bit more, before you go, from the Department of Conservation. Read more about Hobbiton, Recommended non-LOTR Stop: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Get up to survey the Middle-earth scenery from above on LOTR flights with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, whose pilots helped the film crew get aerial shots of sites like the schist slopes of Drimrill Dale and the Ford of Bruinen on the Shotover River. Getting there:Drive 25km (15.5 miles) along an unsealed (gravel) road before beginning your journey to the summit of Mt Sunday. While I might not have Samwise Gamgee by my side to attempt the. If you go to Google Maps, click "Get Directions," select walking, and search for directions from The Shire to Mordor, this amusing The Lord of the Rings easter egg from Google will caution you that "One does not simply walk into Mordor." Related Posts Halloween at Different Ages Illustrated With Google Maps It's a 19.4km one-way journey where you can experience the beautiful national park in full. 1. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. In the South Island, youre free to imagine yourself floating down the glistening Pelorus River, just like the escaping Dwarves did in The Desolation of Smaug. Though the exact location can be difficult to identify depending on the time of year, it is easy to imagine the Ringwraiths getting washed away as Arwen and Frodo flee. Best PS5 Headset In 2023 - Top Options For PlayStation, Conqueror Challenges app has been updated with a Middle-earth map, found on the Conquerors Virtual Challenges website. Check out the range of adrenaline, adventure or relaxing activities in New Zealand. Australia: 1800-324-917 New Zealand: 0800-347-785, Physical Address: First Light Travel, This is your adventure! Thanks. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Virtually travel from The Shire to Mordor Get 20+ stories and 6+ postcards 10 mins. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive an email notification when there is a new post. And the films famously omitted that section of the books. accommodation near Hampton Downs race track, waikato, Where to stay to visit Hobbiton and waitomo caves, Driving time from taupo to auckland airport. Stranger Things has always been packed with pop culture references, and Season 4 . Cross Cook Strait and enjoy Kiwi hospitality. The Weta Cave tour has an extensive display of props from many of Peter Jacksons movies (including LotR and The Hobbit) and other movies the workshop has worked on. Nonetheless, I would recommend stopping at Arapuni. Ask the search engine for walking directions from the Shire to Mordor and you are given a stern warning: "Use caution - one does not simply walk into Mordor." The warning is a take on the line . Why not walk from the Shire to Mordor? We have handcrafted a series of inspiring of New Zealand Lord of the Rings Tours that can all be fully customised to your exact requirements. How Will Europe's Woes Impact Travel in 2023? #13. This hike is a bit steep but not difficult, and gives amazing views of the Remarkables range and the Queenstown area below. Even the gift shop is a true marvel, with tons of elaborate, handcrafted miniatures available for purchase. The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies were both filmed throughout New Zealand, making use of the countrys naturally fantastical landscapes. This self-drive New Zealand itinerary focuses on easy going guidedwalks for hikersofmodestfitness who love being in the bush and the naturalenvironment. I quite agree with you, plodding along the highways is not the most wonderful way to walk. Paradise - a real place in NewZealand's Southern Lakes region is a picture of glorious isolationand natural grandeur. Then, Nomad Safaris offers half-day, small-group Safari of the Scenes tours via off-road SUV tours, helmed by well-informed guides (or, try tours with their more budget-friendly counterpart, Paradise Safaris). 2 hours from Auckland 45 minutes from Hamilton 1 hour from Rotorua Matamata is a must see if you're a Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fan. Good luck and happy travels. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. It was Mt Sunday that was transformed into the home of the Rohan people and Meduseld in The Two Towers. And secondly, you could still do better. Getting there:From Motueka in the beautiful Golden Bay, it is just 20 minutes (approx) to the Abel Tasman National Park. Quite literally. Whether you're a fan of the works of Tolkien, or just appreciate beautiful vistas and magical worlds, you'll love your stay here. Arapuni was the first of nine government power stations on the river, its penstocks are cut directly through the cliffs behind the power station, and the dam is 64m high, cutting off a narrow gorge in the valley. In the UK, youd have to hike the Thames Path nearly 10 times. Thanks for the advice. The Shire is a region of J. R. R. Tolkien 's fictional Middle-earth, described in The Lord of the Rings and other works. It was here thatBilbo and the Company of Dwarves continued their quest on foot after departing Rivendell. You can also join a full-day bus tour to Hobbiton from Auckland . And that makes it easy to trace a Hobbit trail through five essential locales that were all featured prominently in past films for your own unexpected journey through Middle Earth. from TwizelIn The Fellowship of the Ring, Arwen (or Glorfindel in the book) carries an injured Frodo over the Bruinen River in an attempt to escape the Ringwraiths. Search Google Maps for walking directions and even that site will tell you: "One does not simply walk into Mordor." A short riverside walk gives you a glimpse of the river that was once full of Dwarves on the silver screen, while a 3-4 hour trek takes you through podocarp forests, over a swing bridge and past thundering waterfalls on a track that makes up part of New Zealands Te Araroa Trail - The Long Pathway, an incredible walk that runs the length of New Zealand. from The RemarkablesOn the Bobs Cove Track in Mount Creighton is the lookout where Frodo and Sam see the men of Harad and the Oliphaunts in The Two Towers. I think it might have been because they didn't have a lot of time, or maybe their legs were too sore to climb any more mountains. See special effect and set designers at work in a Wt Cave Workshop Tour. There are huts available along the route, which are not particularly comfortable, but would be suitable for hobbits out on a hard slog. The land of rugged coastlines, nature walks, and wildlife. We'll either be camping or staying at an Inn or something similar if it looks like it might be suitable for hobbits. 751. Buy Kiwiana and other New Zealand products quickly and easily. As long as the start and the end locations are the same, I'm happy to go anywhere in between. Hopefully if we pace ourselves a little better and do it over a few extra days our feet won't end up looking like those poor Americans hahaha. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. United Kingdom:0808-189-2382 The Conqueror specializes in virtual fitness challenges that allow people to gamify exercise and map their progress to different virtual scenarios such as scaling Mt Fuji, or Mt Everest, or walking the Great Wall of China. One does not simply walk into Mordor. The most ambitious goal I would set would be 2 years, one to get to Mordor and one to get back to Hobbiton. Lord Of The Rings. Some are deciding to build their own companies. Travel insurance for independent travellers. The author used the Hobbits journey in the films to motivate herself to get back up on that treadmill and start exercising again. Thisregion was used as the location for some of the filming of Mordor in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Two direct hiking routes take you to the Putangirua Pinnacles, which can be undertaken in 2-4 hours. On various occasions, he used ponies, wagons, and canoes. . You can also book accommodation through that site, the Lake B&B at Horahora Road might well be suitable for hobbits, but the two state houses at Arapuni might not be. Journey through dramatic scenes of golden plains, enchanting valleys and towering mountains as you experience many of the film locations for yourself. I think you will have to follow the highway as far as Lake Karapiro - I just cannot think of a better route. Traveling to the Shire and Rivendell and the realm of Gondor was only possible if you closed your eyes and let your mind wander as you read The Lord of the Rings. First of all, Frodocheated [4]. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. In the Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Look no further. But it also served up glitches, ethical dilemmasand talk of a mysterious Sydney., Tech Layoffs Are Feeding a New Startup Surge. Heres how to download the latest desktop operating system on your Mac. No sweat. Get answers to your questions about North Island, Photos showing where to visit in the North Island, From Auckland to Wellington in 10 days via Road, Flying in to Auckland April 26 for about 10 days, Help needed..North Island Itinerary - 10-11 days in Jun 2023. Mounjaro did what decades of struggle with managing weight couldnt. The Shire is an inland area settled exclusively by hobbits, the Shire-folk, largely sheltered from the goings-on in the rest of Middle-earth. A new gamified fitness challenge involves performing exercise equivalent to the distance from The Shire to Mount Doom. The Conqueror Virtual Challenges has teamed up with Warner Bros. for a new series of five virtual challenges based on The Lord of the Rings movies. For those just wanting a taste of the ancient wilderness that became Fangorn Forest, there are also one-day hike options available. (739) $36.51 FREE shipping. We'll either be camping or staying at an Inn or something similar if it looks like it might be suitable for hobbits. Not Sleeping and Freaking Out About the World? It is easy to get to from anywhere in Wellington and is a great place to recreate some scenes from The Fellowship of the Ring. Both are on my must-do list if I can visit again. (LogOut/ from Port WaikatoHobbiton was originally built in 1999 for The Lord of the Rings trilogy and mostly demolished after filming. Let me know in the comments below! to Ohau and Mt Cook, Naked New Zealand - A Voyage of Natural Discovery, Timaru to Tekapo - Dogs, Passes & Dark Skys, South Island New Zealand Weather in August. It's worth watching just to see their Hobbit feet. About 2.5 hrs. So in essence,. It ends in Wellington where there is also a major airport or a ferry to the South Island where the road trip could be continued. Learn about New Zealand from experienced travelers - all the do's and don'ts of each destination! 3000GT / Stealth / GTO - Samwise and Mordor, Follow Hiking Middle-Earth on WordPress.com. A new Lord of the Rings TV series has also . Over 150 real-world locations were used for key scenes, including Mordor, Hobbiton, Rivendell and more. It would be greatly appreciated! These two guys spent a week in New Zealand making the 120 mile trek from Hobbiton to the film location of Mount Doom to prove that you can actually walk into Mordor. About 2 hrs. The entire Mount Creighton area is gorgeous and you can get great views of Lake Wakatipu. I got a basic route from google heading down SH32 but the idea of walking alongside the road for our entire journey doesn't sound very interesting. An easy drive south of Auckland will take you to the verdant Waikato, home to Hobbiton and The Shire. Read on to see my top 7 Lord of the Rings filming locations to visit! While the cast of characters has been shuffled some since LOTR days, New Zealands jagged mountain peaks, rolling green hills, sweeping forests, dramatic glaciers, and volcanic valleys remain. you might want to send your walking distances to one challenge and your cycling or swimming distances to another challenge. ), Summitting Mount Doom (Mt. Getting there:The Hooker Valley hike begins at the Visitor Centre, or the White Horse Hill car park. A new gamified fitness challenge involves performing exercise equivalent to the distance from The Shire to Mount Doom. I'm hoping that some of you can give suggestions on a scenic route to follow. mbingcrosby created a Google Maps mockup of Middle-earth from The Lord of the Rings that includes walking directions from the Shire to Mordor. Why not get motivated to walk like a Hobbit, so to speak? Those wanting to explore more Lord of the Rings hiking tours in New Zealand can do so by undertaking a multi-day hike of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, a varied hike filled with lush forests giving way to white sandy-shores and welcoming wildlife. About 45 mins. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. These guys did the exact same thing a few years back, it's a series of videos. Mount Sunday, surrounded on all sides by fields, mountain ranges, and rivers, is the perfect location for Edoras. It's the equivalent of walking from Denver to New York City, or from London to Moscow (provided you take the Chunnel, of course). Many memorable scenes from the movies were filmed in and around Wellington citypractically in Jackson's backyard! So if these halflings could do it, what is your excuse not to? In the heart of New Zealand, step into the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided walking tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. But the actual film sites of these two locations are relatively close together; turns out, Rivendell and the Mines of Moria were filmed quite a distance away, meaning that Sam and Frodo kind of took the long way around during filming. It now remains a permanent attraction where visitors . It would be interesting to know how long the journey would be on foot all the way, and also how far it would be going the fellowships original route through Rohan. Anyway, back to the journey of the modern hobbits of a latter day Now, the only way I can think of to stop you plodding all the way down SH32, is to head up and through the ranges of the Pureora Forest Park for a while. Hundreds of thousands of workers lost jobs at Google, Meta, and other giants in recent months. here is the walk to mordor that frodo and sam did from the shire to mordor. Would you like to add one of these amazing walks to your dream New Zealand holiday? The South Island of New Zealand is a haven for walkers and hikers. Discover New Zealand's spectacular North Island scenery that has become a portal to Middle Earth for film lovers and Tolkien fans. Thanks to the Lord of The Rings Project, we know that Frodo and Sam crossed 1800 miles of Middle-earth in 6 months and 3 days. This trip includes the most enjoyable filming locations and passes through some amazing South Island scenery. from Arrowtown to car parkThe Lake Alta area in The Remarkables mountain range also plays the part of Dimrill Dale in The Fellowship of the Ring when the Fellowship exits Moria. Enter your starting location as "The Shire" and your destination as "Mordor," click the icon for walking directions and it will give you Boromir's infamous warning that would later go on to. By Eddie Makuch on April 6, 2022 at 12:09PM PDT 4 Comments The Jurassic Coast 96 Miles / 154 KM . A country with film-star good looks, New Zealand is the only place in the world where you can lace up your hiking boots and explore actual Lord of the Rings filming locations on foot. Filming Locations in North Island Matamata 1. About 6km (4 miles) from Ohakune, the Ohakune Beech Paddock was a filming location for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Dewy scenery and natural spectacles are NewZealand's biggest draw-cards and a sure reason why the country was chosen as the home of Middleearth. Recommended non-LOTR Stop: Palmerston North. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The tour guide is extremely knowledgeable about the filming of the movies and how the town was involved. In Rivendell, Frodo accepts the task of carrying the One Ring to Mordor, and a company called THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING is selected to help him on his quest. The guides at Adrift Outdoor Adventures are nearly as good as the fellowship to lead your way, and the companys owner worked with the LOTR team during filming (just note that the traditional crossing route has been altered due to a recent eruption). The Lord of the Rings used Mount Sunday in Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand as the filming location for the city of Edoras. The company says this is a time-limited series, so anyone who is interested in taking part may want to do so sooner rather than later. Ngauruhoe (also known as Mount Doom). For all those interested, and for fans of LOTR and the Hobbit, NerdFitness have done a breakdown of the miles it takes from the beginning at the Shire to the end at Mordor and have calculated it to be around 1779 Miles to Mt. Maori history and culture are part of New Zealand's identity. 1074. 2023 GAMESPOT, A FANDOM COMPANY. Near Nelson, Reid Helicopters helped location scouts determine film sites, and shuttled cast and crew out for shootingtheir two film-themed LOTR chopper tours land on the giant karst rocks of Mount Owen (or, Dimrill Dale, on the exit from the Mines of Moria), or the pinnacle rock formations of Mount Olympus (aka South of Rivendell), both in Kahurangi National Park. Here's What to Do, The Surprisingly Obvious Reason for the Cheap Hair Dryer in Your Hotel Room. Hiking from the Shire to Mordor takes approximately 7 days. Embark on an unexpected journey and get ready for an awesome self drive LoTR (Hobbit) filming locations tour. Pingback: 3000GT / Stealth / GTO - Samwise and Mordor. If you aren't, stick to the road. A new gamified exercise program challenges players to log workouts in the real world as they virtually follow The Lord of the Rings characters Frodo and Sam from The Shire to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. It should keep us off the main road most of the time and we'll get to have a more interesting walk. Elon Musks New Twitter Superpower Is Dangerous. These formations truly make you feel as though you are in an entirely different world. ed. I first discovered my passion for travel when an opportunity to study abroad allowed me to visit all of my favorite Lord of the Rings filming locations, and now I want to share that passion with the world! Hi I'm Bry and this is Walking into Mordor! Though the ruins were computer generated, the hill itself is very recognizable. Ngauruhoe, NZ), 7 Must-See Lord of the Rings Filming Locations. A wide range of popular and useful New Zealand travel books. This exceptional hike takes approximately 8 hours. Indulge in the Wellington(opens in new window) citys buzzing food and wine scene, and enjoy a cable-car ride to the Kelburn lookout for expansive harbour views. FEATURES. and fans- new content, just as good as a whole new story DLC would be anyway! About 15 mins. Though the ruins were computer generated, the hill itself is very recognizable. Hailed as one of the Eighth Wonders of the World the remote wilderness of the Milford Sound became the location of Fangorn Forest during The Two Towers. Weathertop (Amon Sl) is the hill where the Hobbits are attacked by Ringwraiths in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. And in the spirit of fellowship, users can log workouts together to see how they stack up and to remain motivated to complete the challenge. USA/Canada: 1-877-282-2577 on April 6, 2022 at 12:09PM PDT. During the 4 hour trek, you can expect to encounter swing bridges, glacier lakes and incredible views of Aoraki / Mt Cook - New Zealands tallest mountain. About 3.5 hrs. Makes Sense. This is around a 200KM walk and will probably take us about a week to finish. Over 5,000 NZ events listed - find an event anywhere in the country. from Tawhai FallsKaitoke Regional Park is the only Lord of the Rings filming location that still has references to its role in the movies (the road signs even say Rivendell!). New Zealand Lord of the Rings Tours that can all be fully customised to your exact requirements. Most hikers can hit an average of 12 miles a day. This challenge offers two routes: 98mi/157km (recommended for running . Then carry on to the central North Island's Volcanic Plateau for a dramatic contrastyou'll soon see why these mystical landscapes were so easily transformed into Mordor, Emyn Muil and Mount Doom. Turn off State Highway 6, 500m south of Franz Josef Village onto the Franz Josef Glacier access road until you reach the car park. It accounts for the longer distance recorded in Tolkien's book. Beginners may start around 8, and experienced hikers might hit 15 or 20, but hikers on the Appalachian trail average around 12.7 miles per day [5], covering 2,180 miles in 6 months. The countrys climate woes are just beginning and will likely include rising heat and drought, as well as stronger cyclones. Particularly, a whole mess of zombie ones. In the North Island, visitors can easily discover epic landscapes like Tongariro the home of the Dark Lord Sauron. New Zealand Vote. The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our livesfrom culture to business, science to design. The drive from Auckland to Hobbiton takes 2.5 hours. New features include a pub, more Hobbit homes, an electric fence to keep out the sheep and a gift shop offering high-end collectibles (magic cloaks, 900 New Zealand dollars, about $760 U.S.). Freedom walkers can also walk the Milford Track, butare advised to check all details of the journey before they begin. About 40 mins. Though Isengard was computer generated, the mountains are easily recognizable. Its the equivalent of walking from Denver to New York City, or from London to Moscow (provided you take the Chunnel, of course). If that happens, your companions would likely be hoping that goblins would waylay you at a lonely mountain pass, and carry you off, wouldn't they, Precious?, as that would be a VERY long way off your route. It puts Frodo's journey roughly equal to the Great Eastern Trail (which runs from Upstate New York to Alabama), but still a few hundred miles short of the Appalachian Trail. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. The stunning Milford Track that leads to Milford Sound is one of the countrys most beloved destinations and is another of New Zealands Great Walks. The Milford Track can be hiked on a day or multi-day expedition and there are many options to allow you to pick the perfect Milford Track experience tailored just for you. Take some time out to enjoy all that nearby Lake Taupo has to offer.