Scene: (the Paths of the Dead ghost soldier scene)
30, Stone Street, Miramar, Wellington City, Wellington, 6020, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Scene: (studio sets of the Citadel)
30, Stone Street, Miramar, Wellington City, Wellington, 6020, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Scene: (Hobbiton interiors and Grey Havens scenes)
PΕ«tangirua Pinnacles, Pinnacles Track, Martinborough Community, South Wairarapa District, Wellington, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Scene: (the Paths of the Dead)
Department of Conservation Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, 1, Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, Fiordland Community, Southland District, Southland, 9460, New Zealand / Aotearoa
6, Lyster Lane, Maidstone, Upper Hutt Central, Upper Hutt City, Wellington, 5218, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Central Plateau, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Fern Orb, Te NgΔkau Civic Square, Te Aro, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Hyde-Middlemarch Road, Dunedin City, Otago, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Bellbird Rd, Selwyn District, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Argyle Street, Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago, 9372, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Department of Conservation Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, 1, Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, Fiordland Community, Southland District, Southland, 9460, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Tuatapere Te Waewae Community, Southland District, Southland, 9620, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Waiomou Stream Track, South Waikato District, Waikato, New Zealand / Aotearoa
SH 24, Matamata Piako District, Waikato, 3400, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Rotokauri, Waikato District, Waikato, 3289, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Ridge Road, New Zealand / Aotearoa
The trilogy’s towering finale is New Zealand at its most epic – a hilltop city of Rohan built and then entirely removed on a remote mountain, the White City of Minas Tirith carved into a Wellington quarry, and the fires of Mount Doom looming over a real volcano.
Where was The Return of the King filmed?
The Return of the King was filmed across New Zealand – Mount Sunday (Edoras), a Wellington quarry (Minas Tirith), the Central Plateau volcanoes (Mount Doom) and Hobbiton.
Every Return of the King location, explained
1
Edoras – Mount Sunday
The hilltop capital of Rohan was built atop remote Mount Sunday in Canterbury’s high country, then completely dismantled afterwards.
2
Minas Tirith – a Wellington quarry
The great White City was constructed in the Dry Creek Quarry near Wellington.
3
Mount Doom – the Central Plateau
Mordor’s volcano used the Central Plateau, with Mount Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu providing the fiery peak.
4
Hobbiton and the Shire
The homecoming returns to Hobbiton near Matamata, with Weta’s Wellington workshops crafting the rest.
Planning a visit
New Zealand is the film’s world – Mount Sunday (Edoras) is reachable by a scenic drive and walk, Hobbiton near Matamata is a permanent attraction, and Tongariro’s volcanoes offer Mount Doom’s drama.
Return of the King Fun Facts
1
Edoras was built then erased The hilltop city of Rohan was constructed on remote Mount Sunday, then fully removed to restore the landscape.
2
Minas Tirith filled a quarry The White City was built in the Dry Creek Quarry near Wellington.
3
Mount Doom is a real volcano The summit shots avoided the sacred peak of Ngauruhoe itself, using nearby slopes out of respect to Maori.
4
It won 11 Oscars The film swept all 11 Academy Awards it was nominated for, a record-tying feat.
5
A whole country as Middle-earth New Zealand’s varied landscapes played the entire realm across the trilogy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Edoras?
It was built atop Mount Sunday in Canterbury, then removed after filming.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – Mount Sunday, Hobbiton and the Tongariro volcanoes are all accessible.
What is Mount Doom in real life?
The Central Plateau volcanoes, including Mount Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu.
