Every Lord of the Rings fan knows that Middle-earth is real- it’s named New Zealand. The films showcase the country’s incredible landscapes so beautifully that travelers from around the world find themselves planning pilgrimages to every hidden filming location and hobbit hotspot.
As superfans ourselves, we knew that while in Wellington, we had to visit Weta Workshop. For any movie lover, stepping into this legendary special effects studio feels like Christmas Day. From the creatures to the costumes, the artistry here brings fantasy worlds to life. If you’re visiting New Zealand, Weta Workshop is an absolute must-see (full video on Instagram at @food.family.travel or by clicking embed link on FoodFamilyTravel.com).
As soon as we arrived we were shocked at the fantastic detail of these iconic movie relics. This fantastic special effects studio, founded by Sir Richard Taylor and his team, is responsible for the groundbreaking props, costumes, and creatures featured in The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar, District 9, King Kong, and so many more. We came face-to-face with Gollum, and inches away from Dwarves and Orcs. We couldn’t believe how realistic the details were from head-to-toe.
We were surrounded by intricately detailed armor of all weights, sizes and materials- plastic for extras in their fight scenes, aluminum for mainstream actors, and steel blades for close-up shots of the weapons. We saw terrifyingly realistic creatures that still give me nightmares, and larger-than-life statues of some of film’s most legendary characters. The level of craftsmanship was mind-blowing. Weta artists use everything from 3D printing to old-school sculpting techniques to create their masterpieces and some of the pieces took months upon months to craft.
Our 6-year-old Livia was mesmerized by the realistic animatronics, asking brilliant questions about how the creatures move and what materials they use. Seeing her excitement reminded us why we embarked on Life OVER Seas- to experience, learn, and be inspired by the world around us.
From Weta we made our way to some of the breathtaking locations that brought The Lord of the Rings to life. We hiked up Mount Victoria, one of the most iconic filming locations from the trilogy. This lush, green paradise was transformed into the forests of Middle-earth- specifically, the spot where Frodo and the Hobbits hid from the Black Riders in The Fellowship of the Ring. And of course, we had to recreate the iconic moment with our own photo.
What’s fascinating is that many of the trees on Mount Victoria aren’t native to New Zealand. The towering pine trees that give the area such a distinct look were actually imported from the United States in the late 1800’s. It was surreal standing in the exact spots where some of the most famous scenes in cinematic history were filmed, surrounded by the same landscape that millions of fans have seen on screen and by some of the same foliage from our life in the U.S.
Beyond its Hollywood fame, the hike itself was spectacular. The panoramic views of Wellington from the top were absolutely breathtaking. It was the perfect mix of adventure, film history, and natural beauty- everything that makes New Zealand so incredible.
Filmmaking is a multi-billion-dollar business in New Zealand and Wellington gave us a taste of the deep connection between film, location, and storytelling. From the behind-the-scenes wonders of Weta Workshop to the breathtaking real-life locations that shaped The Lord of the Rings, this adventure was a dream come true- a perfect blend of movie magic and natural beauty that brought legendary stories, and our own journey, to life.