New Zealand - The Desolation of Smaug

An article on New Zealand sites from the Hobbit.  No, we didn't take these pictures, but I thought it was an interesting article!

5 sites in New Zealand to see the real-life ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’

By Lyn Mettler

Published January 01, 2014

FoxNews.com

As holiday blockbusters open on the silver screen, there’s one that beckons those with a sense of wanderlust. Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” which is in theaters now, is as much about the fantastical cinematography and sweeping landscapes of New Zealand as it is a tale of hobbits, wizards, dwarves and dragons.

Author J.R.R. Tolkien was “very vivid in the way he describes landscapes,” Jackson says. “In these books, the landscape and the environment and even the weather, and the heather or the moss or the grass is described in quite loving detail.”

Jackson has magically brought Tolkien’s words to life with the help of the magnificent backdrops, landscapes and vistas of New Zealand. So if the movie inspires you to add New Zealand to your 2014 itinerary, here’s a guide to the key locations in the latest hobbit installment.

Pelorus River, Marlborough

The perfect spot to have dwarves make a grand escape by floating down a river in barrels? The Pelorus River, a spot on the South Island that Jackson says he visited as a child and even then saw its potential for just the right scene. One of the actors who portrayed the dwarf Bombur said it was his favorite day on set.

You don’t need a barrel to see this mighty river; you can see it by kayak. Tours take you past waterfalls, streams and the exact spot where the dwarves floated down river. Be sure to traverse the narrow swing bridge that was built in the 1950s and crosses the river. Hike to a rock pool and up a 1,360-foot peak, and keep an eye out for a wide variety of native birds.

Arcadia Station, Paradise Valley

See the setting of Beorn’s grand home and fortress, which Jackson spent six weeks building, at Arcadia Station in Paradise Valley, a remote farming valley on the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park. The trek to get there is worth it. Arcadia Station is a privately owned high country farm located along Diamond Lake with views of mountain peaks, including the dominant Mount Earnslaw.

While Paradise Valley sits in isolation, it is just a short drive from Queenstown, New Zealand’s No. 1 tourist destination, making it a popular filming spot and a good stop for travelers. Nearby Glenorchy, on the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, is also worth a visit. It’s considered one of the best scenic drives in the world and is known as the “gateway to Paradise.”

Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook

The majestic turquoise lake in “The Desolation of Smaug” is Lake Pukaki on the South Island, which sits at the base of the magnificent Mount Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Glacial lakes that feed Lake Pukaki contribute to its vibrant blue color.

About three and a half hours south of Christ Church, the area surrounding the lake has several trails for hikers, which traverse patches of mountain flax, glacial boulders and pine trees, all while offering stunning views of Mount Cook and its alpine peaks.

Turoa, Ruapehu

Cyclists will love this location, known for its rocky slopes and grassy mounds, where Jackson filmed the entrance to the Lonely Mountain. The Ruapehu region, home to Tongariro World Heritage Park with its three stately volcanoes, offers an abundance of cycling and hiking trails.

Two New Zealand Cycle Trail Networks run through the area, connecting the mountains to the sea, along with several smaller cycling trails. The Tongariro Crossing, which takes hikers through meadows, craters, lakes and volcanic rock, at two hours is known as one of the best one-day walks in the world. This area is also popular with skiers; it’s the site of two of the North Island’s top ski fields.

Matamata

In Matamata, just a short distance from Auckland City on the North Island, you can literally step into the movie at the film set of the town of Hobbiton in the Shire. Set among rolling green pastures, visitors can tour the set that Bilbo and Frodo called home and where their fantastical journeys began with Hobbiton Movie Set Tours.

The tour takes Middle Earth fans through Bag End, past more than 40 hobbit holes, the mill, the Green Dragon Inn, where you can actually drink ale and dine on beef and ale pie, and the Party Tree. It also includes information about how the movie was filmed, along with its special effects, such as how the filmmakers enabled the actors who played hobbits to look small enough to fit the part. Hobbit fans will definitely want to make a stop at The Shire Store to pick up some one-of-a-kind Middle Earth memorabilia, including cloaks, woolen products, maps and more.

New Zealand - Te Anau and the Glow Worms

From Dunedin, we headed to Te Anau and a visit with the world famous Glow Worms.  The Te Anau area was really neat, with a great downtown area and lots of shops and restaurants.  Additionally, it is known as one of the hiking capitals of New Zealand, with tons of walking trails.  Unfortunately, we didn't have time for a hike this day.

More sheep to entertain us on our way.

Lake Te Anau

The only Kiwi we saw during our visit to New Zealand.

A Fiat on display in front of an Italian restaurant.  I think our Anna has grown up!

On the way to the glow worms.  About a 30 minute boat ride to a cave.  The cave is in a mountain that has restricted access as it is there to protect a species of ground bird that lives no where else in the world.  Oh yeah, and it was rainy and cold for this boat ride as well.

Oh yeah, this is what the endangered bird looks like.

The visitors center for the Glow Worms

So, for a visit to the glow worms, you take a short hike through the caves, and then sit on a small boat (about 12 people at a time) and go through the caves in pitch darkness, except for the little glow worms that are glowing above our heads.  A very interesting experience, but not all the girls LOVED it.

The following four pictures were not taken by us (no cameras allowed), but does let you see what the experience was like.

New Zealand - Haka

The Haka (plural is the same as singular: haka) is a traditional ancestral war cry, dance or challenge from the Māori people of New Zealand. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment.  The New Zealand rugby team's practice of performing a haka before their matches has made the dance more widely known around the world.

Up to any challenge, our girls gave it their best shot.

New Zealand - Dunedin

Walking around Dunedin was fascinating, with its old regal structures at each turn.  Several magnificent churches, the train station, etc. made Dunedin the most interesting town to visit in New Zealand.  While none of the structures are significantly old (the First Church of Otago was founded in 1845), there was a nice mix of European stateliness and New Zealand simplicity.

Dunedin is home to a large Cadbury factory ... which was right across from our hotel.  Unfortunately, almost all of Cadbury products are made in the presence of nuts, so nothing for Jenna to enjoy.  The rest of us did try and small bite (or two).

Definitely a Scottish feel to this city.

The Dunedin Train Station.  Fascinating and beautiful place.  The next time we come, I want to take the train out of Dunedin.

Looking back up to the First Church of Otago from down below.  Impressive structure.

Robert Burns had a prominent place in this Scottish city.  He was also a useful resting place for pigeons.

And by chance, Robert has the same birthday as Anna.  

Dunedin Cathedral, which was the typical European cathedral, crypts and all.

Painted 3D walkways around downtown Dunedin.