The Lord of the Rings · Filming location
Poolburn Reservoir
In the story · The Two Towers (the plains of Rohan)
The rocky high plateau around this lake played Rohan, the open country of the horse riders, in the trilogy.
Where to stay nearby
Book a hotel hereMap with prices from several sites
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More to do here
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Where to stand for the photo
Put the rock outcrops in the foreground and the lake behind them.
Getting there
- Address: Poolburn Reservoir, Ida Valley, Central Otago
- Transport
- By car, about 30 km on gravel from Omakau in Central Otago; Omakau is about 2 hours by car from Queenstown.
- Access
- Remote: reached only on gravel back-country roads (about 30 km from Omakau). The high part of the road is closed in winter, from early June to late September. There are no services: bring water and fill up with fuel before you go.
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
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