There are two very popular Lord of the Rings filming locations near Glenorchy: Isengard and Lothlórien.

The beech forest on the road to Paradise was used as the setting for the scene where the Fellowship meets Haldir before entering the Elven realm of Lothlórien.

When you walk through the forest of ancient trees, you’ll quickly see why this spot was chosen! It feels otherworldly and as though you’ve stepped into a storybook (in a way, you have!).

To get to Lothlórien, you’ll need to drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy, a tiny lakeside town on the northern shores of Lake Wakatipu. From there, Paradise Forest is only 20km away, and there are lots of spots to pull over and explore.

While you're there, take a photo with the iconic Paradise Road sign! On your way back, stop by the Dart River, which was used as the setting for Isengard. It’s one of the most jaw-dropping landscapes in the entire trilogy. This road trip stop is a must-do, even if you’re not a Lord of the Rings fan!