The Lord of the Rings · Filming location
Lake Alta (The Remarkables)
In the story · The Fellowship of the Ring (leaving Moria)
Dimrill Dale: after the wizard Gandalf falls in the Mines of Moria, Aragorn leads the grieving Fellowship down the rocky slopes outside the mines. The ground scenes were filmed around this small mountain lake; the tourism board also names Mount Owen, in Kahurangi National Park, which is seen only from the air.
Where to stay nearby
Book a hotel hereMap with prices from several sites
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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.
Lake Hayes
9 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)
11.1 kmA hill walk from town to the Basket of Dreams sculpture, with views of the lake.
Queenstown Gardens
12.2 kmA lakeside peninsula park with a rose garden, disc golf and mountain views.
Where to stand for the photo
From the lake shore, frame the still water with the jagged ridge of the Remarkables behind it.
Getting there
- Address: Lake Alta Track, Remarkables Ski Area, Queenstown
- Transport
- By car, about 45 minutes from Queenstown: take State Highway 6 to the signposted Remarkables ski area turn, then the winding mountain road.
- Access
- Summer only: in winter the lake and the track are part of the Remarkables ski area. The Lake Alta Track starts behind the ski area buildings, about 1.5 hours return, steep and rocky in places. Check the weather and the DOC page before you go.
Public sources (2)
Sources found on October 17, 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