{"id":16980,"date":"2013-12-05T06:16:00","date_gmt":"2013-12-05T06:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/new-zealands-breathtaking-landscapes-take-centre-stage-in-the-hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug\/"},"modified":"2013-12-05T06:16:00","modified_gmt":"2013-12-05T06:16:00","slug":"new-zealands-breathtaking-landscapes-take-centre-stage-in-the-hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/2013\/12\/new-zealands-breathtaking-landscapes-take-centre-stage-in-the-hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand\u2019s Breathtaking Landscapes Take Centre Stage in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug"},"content":{"rendered":"

The second instalment of New Zealand director Sir Peter Jackson\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>The Hobbit<\/i>\u00a0Trilogy is set to hit the big screens in December 2013.\u00a0<\/span>The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug<\/i>\u00a0follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins and company as they continue their quest to reclaim Erebor.<\/span><\/span>

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The diverse landscapes of New Zealand will once again be on show when\u00a0The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug\u00a0<\/i>is released.<\/span><\/div>\n

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New Zealand has become one of the leading places in the world to shoot TV dramas and feature films with its breathtaking landscapes shown to full-effect in\u00a0The Lord of The Rings<\/i>\u00a0Trilogy and\u00a0The Hobbit<\/i>\u00a0Trilogy, including:<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/span>\"Glenorchy\n<\/div>\n
Lonely Mountains, Wanaka<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
Sir Peter Jackson chose this rugged inhospitable terrain scorched with the colours of volcanic fire to depict Hidden Bay \u2013 the entrance to The Lonely Mountain in\u00a0The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug<\/i>, and the watchful eyes of the giant craggy bust of Thror.<\/span><\/div>\n
Filming in Tongariro National Park was significant as it was the first major feature to be shot in the park since\u00a0The Lord of the Rings<\/i>\u00a0Trilogy more than 10 years ago, when these landscapes inspired Mordor and Emyn Muil.<\/span><\/div>\n
While\u00a0The Hobbit\u00a0<\/i>Trilogy cast and crew spent only one day filming at Turoa, their visit had been preceded by 18 months of planning and discussion with representatives of local M\u0101ori and the Department of Conservation to ensure respect of the region\u2019s unique M\u0101ori spiritual and cultural values and precious conservation status.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nBefore film work could begin, the cast and crew were formally received with a powhiri (welcome and blessing) ceremony performed by the two M\u0101ori tribes \u2013 Ngati Rangi and Ngati Uenuku \u2013 that are the guardians of Turoa. The ceremony, which took place at the tribal meeting ground, was described as\u00a0<\/span>\"Kepleran incredibly moving cultural experience.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n

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Central Plateau<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
New Zealand\u2019s central North Island is an expansive inland region of amazing and varied geographical features \u2013 volcanic peaks, tranquil lakes – including the southern hemisphere\u2019s largest lake, rushing waterways, alpine desert and vast wilderness forests.<\/span><\/div>\n

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The region is a natural playground with endless opportunities for walking, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, adventure and winter snow sports. During summer, the clear lakes and rivers are the place to be for fresh water holidays – Kiwis love to come here to swim, fish, boat and water ski, or simply relax and soak in the natural hot springs.<\/span><\/div>\n

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Martin Freeman (Bilbo in\u00a0The Hobbit\u00a0<\/i>Trilogy) described the central North Island region as his favourite location: \u201cIt is beautiful. There is a mountain, there is a waterfall, there\u2019s a beautiful view across the valley there. It\u2019s one of the sort of archetypal Kiwi places that you thank god New Zealand has such amazing landscapes.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

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Richard Armitage (Thorin) made the most of his time on Mt Ruapehu – \u201cfilmed, skied and hiked there\u201d.<\/span><\/div>\n
Hugo Weaving (Elrond) recalled: \u201cI love coming here I think the people here are just wonderful, very spirited and creative and very welcoming.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n

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Forest River – Pelorus River, Marlborough<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
\nJust west of Pelorus River, there are several film locations from\u00a0The Lord of the Rings\u00a0<\/i>Trilogy and\u00a0The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey<\/i>\u00a0in the Nelson\u00a0<\/span>\"LordTasman region.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Takaka Hill and Abel Tasman National Park were used for scenes depicting Chetwood Forest in\u00a0The Lord of the Rings<\/i>, and Reid Helicopter Tours offers scenic flights to Mt Olympus (South of Rivendell) and Mt Owen (Dimrill Dale).<\/span><\/div>\n

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In West Golden Bay, Kaihoka Station featured in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey<\/i>\u00a0as Weatherhills trees and rocks in the scene where The Company arrives at a destroyed farmhouse. The location is on private land but can be visited with Cape Farewell Horse Treks.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n\"MarlboroughVineyards cover much of the Marlborough region, and the warm climate and stony river valleys offer favourable conditions for grape growing, particularly the world renowned Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The region\u2019s 140 wineries produce 80 per cent of New Zealand\u2019s wine exports.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n

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Marlborough is also well known for its fresh produce, especially seafood such as scallops, crayfish, New Zealand green shell mussels, King Salmon and fresh ocean fish, along with vegetables and fruit crops such as apples, berries and olives.<\/span><\/div>\n

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Lake-town – Lake Pukaki, Mt Cook<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
At the head of Lake Pukaki, New Zealand\u2019s highest peak, Aoraki Mt Cook dominates the turquoise ribbon of lake that fills an elongated ancient glacier-carved valley. The craggy peak draws serious alpinists and mountaineers from around the world, and the surrounding region is a popular destination for star gazing, winter snow sports, cycling, summer hiking and walking, and romantic getaways.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\nSir Peter Jackson chose this part of the Southern Alps \u2013 the main divide stretching north-south the length of New Zealand\u2019s South Island \u2013 as the setting\u00a0<\/span>\"Matamatafor \u2018Lake-town\u2019 in\u00a0The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.<\/i><\/span>\n<\/div>\n

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Beorn\u2019s House – Paradise, Queenstown<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
Sir Peter Jackson is just one of the many directors who have chosen these landscapes as backdrop in a major motion picture. Jackson has previously used the Glenorchy region for numerous scenes in\u00a0The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0The Lord of the Rings\u00a0<\/i>trilogy.<\/span><\/div>\n

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Arcadia Station \u2013 a working high country farm in Paradise Glenorchy – is where Beorn\u2019s House in\u00a0The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug<\/i>\u00a0was filmed. Jackson\u2019s team spent weeks building Beorn\u2019s House at Arcadia Station. The film crew were on set for four days.<\/span><\/div>\n
Mt Earnslaw, which looks down over Paradise, was used for The Misty Mountain Paths in\u00a0The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

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Queenstown is known as New Zealand\u2019s adventure capital and annually attracts more than a million visitors who come for everything from world-class skiing and snowboarding to bungy jumping, jet boating, cycling and gourmet food and wine.<\/span><\/div>\n

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For more information, please visit:\u00a0<\/b>http:\/\/www.newzealand.com\/travel\/index.cfm?8CE58BB4-D2F4-9B68-4F2E-B36D6650D2DA<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The second instalment of New Zealand director Sir Peter Jackson\u2019s\u00a0The Hobbit\u00a0Trilogy is set to hit the big screens in December 2013.\u00a0The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug\u00a0follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins and company as they continue their quest to reclaim Erebor. The diverse landscapes of New Zealand will once again be on show when\u00a0The Hobbit: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16980"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16980\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traveloscopy.com\/travel-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}