New Zealand is a dream destination to visit, not just because of beautiful and breathtaking nature, but also because of different filming locations that turned certain parts of New Zealand into popular destinations for tourists and movie fans.
New Zealand has become one of the most popular tourist destinations with $14.5 billion contribution to the local economy, partly due to the huge popularity of the numerous film locations situated there. But there are certain things you need to remember when visiting these locations.
So let’s take a look at 5 laws for everyone who wants to visit all New Zealand’s filming locations.
Equip yourself with proper gear
New Zealand is known for its unpredictable weather. So it’s necessary to have clothes that fit all kinds of weather and shoes that are comfortable to wear for long walks.
The most famous New Zealand’s filming destinations are located far away from populated areas. For example, Hobbiton, one of the most popular locations for the fans of “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings”, is located far away from the towns of Hamilton and Auckland and away from the roads.
That is why it is necessary to be prepared for any weather because you’ll have to walk long hours during the tour around the filming locations. So wear clothes for any weather, put on the most comfortable shoes to walk and grab an umbrella – even if there’s no sign of rain.
Stick to your group of tourists
When on a tour around a filming location, it is highly recommended that you stick to your group. Not just because this way you will not miss important information about the filming process, but also because there are certain rules to follow when visiting filming locations.
When visiting Hobbiton, for example, it is necessary to follow your guide as the whole territory is private and belongs to the Alexander family, so it is prohibited to enter houses of hobbits. Besides, it is impossible to just walk in a movie set – you can enter these locations only on a tour.
Book your visits in advance
New Zealand’s filming locations are so busy that if you don’t book your visits in advance, you might miss the chance to catch the most interesting events.
“Chronicles of Narnia,” which is another trilogy filmed on the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand, has various filming locations, and in order to visit them all and find out exciting information about film production process, it is required to book a tour with an experienced guide.
When visiting Hobbiton, it is also required to book a tour, as there are some themed events you wouldn’t want to miss. For example, the Evening Banquet Tour, the scenario for which is written by the best professional essay writers who worked on the set of the film, is held twice a week and is something you would never want to miss.
Plan your tours based on location
If you want to visit multiple movie locations in one day, it could be easier if you plan them according to the location there are situated at.
For example, if you’re a fan of the “Lord of the Rings” you might be interested in visiting Wellington, where you can find famous locations like Kaitoke Regional Park where scenes from Rivendell were filmed, or Weta Workshop where you can find out more about film production process.
Wear sunscreen
This is a little bit of a strange tip, but it’s a good reminder for all New Zealand tourists about being safe on the sun. As most locations are outdoors, and in New Zealand, there’s a thinner ozone layer and no air pollution to give you extra protection from the sun, it would be better to put on some sunscreen.
While many other filming locations have some premises for the visitors to spend time in, the movie set of “The Last Samurai” offers tourist destinations that are only outdoors to enjoy the beautiful scenery, so you’ll be exposed to the sun practically all the time. As New Zealand has the highest rate of melanoma skin cancer, you might want to remember that to not spoil your memories of this beautiful country.
Conclusion
Many famous movies were filmed in New Zealand, thanks to its beautiful nature and gorgeous scenery. The nature of New Zealand is so different, with all the woods, mountains, plains, rivers and meadows, and is so colorful and breathtaking.
There’s no wonder why it has drawn the attention of so many film directors, including Peter Jackson, a New Zealand citizen who has opened the beauty of this country to the rest of the world.
Movie sets located in New Zealand are definitely worth visiting. It’s an unforgettable experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Hopefully, the tips we gave you in this article will be helpful and will make your journey even more enjoyable!
Author Bio
Michael Gorman is high skilled editor and proofreader who currently works at A-writer. He is proficient in blog writing and online freelance networking. Feel free to contact him via Facebook
