The Hobbit · Filming location
Lake Pukaki
In the story · An Unexpected Journey (the wolf chase); The Desolation of Smaug (Lake-town)
The open land around this turquoise lake, on the Braemar sheep farm, was used for the chase by orcs on wolves and the ride toward Rivendell. For The Desolation of Smaug, Lake-town, the town of wooden houses on the water, was built as an outdoor set at Tasman Downs, a farm on the shore of the lake.
Where to stay nearby
Book a hotel hereMap with prices from several sites
or on Booking.com- With this place
- Day by day
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Are you here?
More to do here
Things to doParis: all activities on GetYourGuide
The link opens the destination's catalogue, not a tour made for the story →
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Famous places nearby
Not places of the story, but worth seeing in the area.
Where to stand for the photo
From the lookouts on State Highway 8, frame the blue lake with Aoraki, Mount Cook, at the far end.
Getting there
- Address: State Highway 8, Lake Pukaki, Mackenzie Country
- Transport
- By car, about 2.5 hours from Queenstown.
- Access
- Public lakeside and lookouts; the Braemar farm is private.
Public sources (3)
Sources found on October 21, 2026.
Every place checked against public sources
Production · film commissions · tourist boards · guides
We always say if it is:
- The real filming location
- A place standing in for it
- Inspired by the story
Every place checked against public sources
Production · film commissions · tourist boards · guides
We always say if it is:
- The real filming location
- A place standing in for it
- Inspired by the story
Every place checked against public sources
Production · film commissions · tourist boards · guides
We always say if it is:
- The real filming location
- A place standing in for it
- Inspired by the story