The Lord of the Rings · Filming location
Kawarau Gorge
In the story · The Fellowship of the Ring (down the River Anduin)
The River Anduin: the Fellowship paddles elven boats through this gorge toward two giant stone kings, the Argonath, which were added in the studio.
Where to stay nearby
Book a hotel hereMap with prices from several sites
or on Booking.com- With this place
- Day by day
- Free
Are you here?
More to do here
Things to do
The Lord of the Rings: a tour linked to the story
Small-group tour by vehicle · from 43 Camp Street, Queenstown · about 4 h 30 min · Guide in English
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More The Lord of the Rings places nearby
All 28 places of The Lord of the Rings →
Famous places nearby
Not places of the story, but worth seeing in the area.
Gibbston Valley
6 kmCentral Otago wineries along the Kawarau River, linked by the Gibbston River Trail for walking or cycling between cellar doors.
Lake Hayes
7.2 kmA small lake between Queenstown and Arrowtown, with a track all the way round for walking or cycling and a grassy picnic area at the north end.
Queenstown Hill (Te Tapunui)
15 kmA hill walk from town to the Basket of Dreams sculpture, with views of the lake.
Where to stand for the photo
From the viewpoint by the Chard Farm winery, shoot down into the gorge where the boats passed.
Getting there
- Address: Kawarau Gorge, State Highway 6, Gibbston
- Transport
- By car, about 25 minutes from Queenstown.
- Access
- Public: seen from State Highway 6 and the riverside trail near Kawarau Bridge.
Public sources (1)
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
Part of the trip
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