The filming locations of Rings of Power, the sequential series of LOTR, range across terrains from snow-capped mountains to the breezy beaches of Kiwi Country. Mostly shot in New Zealand, the series explored hidden gems that find their rightful place in the piece. does not witness such a setting. However, Amazon’s The Rings of Power setup begins where the imagination of the modern world ends.
With breathtaking real-world spots, the series put the images of Middle-earth in life, making these locations instrumental to the story no less than the characters themselves. Each location was picked thoughtfully, making the viewers get immersed in J.R.R. Tolkien’s world. Let’s take a ride through some of these mind-boggling locations that left a massive impact on the heart of its fans.
1. The Sundering Seas: Fjords of Fiordland, New Zealand
With rugged mountains coupled with dense forest and sweeping coastlines, New Zealand wins the go-to place award for picturing Middle-earth in its true sense. For its impeccable landscapes, New Zealand still serves as the milieu for this epic saga.
The breathtaking scenery of Fiordland National Park, encapsulating profound fjords and colossal cliffs, makes it an ideal setting for the Sundering Seas.
It’s hard for the viewers of The Rings of Power to forget the Sundering Seas as the same location embodies the scene of Galadriel sailing into the West with her squad. This striking landscape highlights the daunting yet astonishing journey of the squad into the unfamiliar.
The Sundering Seas aptly embodies the Perilous path the Elves have to take. As the odds were stacked against Galadriel and her squad, with rugged cliffs and unending water, the setting embraced the sense of both loftiness and menace – making this location the perfect fit.
2. Nùmenor’s Shores: Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
Step into this gem, close your eyes, and feel the magic. That’s what the cove is all about. Suitably enough, the makers of the series felt the magic to be real enough to portray well the origin of the Elves. With its unsullied waters and idyllic setting, the legendary island kingdom of Nùmenor is pictured to life in the Hauraki Gulf.
The fans vividly remember the tempestuous history of Nùmenor that is antithesis to the serene beauty of Hauraki Gulf, making it an ideal metaphor for the rise and fall of this once great civilization.
Located in the southern side of Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula, Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) took form of Valinor, the undying lands that birthed the Elven generations.
A recurring motif of the temptation to return to peace from the hustling strife of Middle-earth is materialized by this isle of calm, a location being reportedly a popular desktop lockscreen.
3. Denize Bluffs, Mangaotaki Valley, New Zealand
The outstanding scene where the Rings of the Power are forged sets on Erigion, the lands of the Elven-smiths set against the backdrop of Denize Bluffs in the Mangaotaki Valley.
The theatrical limestone fabrications of the bluffs coupled with their prehistoric appearance creates a suitable setting for picturing a place of immense beauty and power.
The location grasps the remembrance for the dialogue between Celebrimbor and Elrond on the forging of the rings, whereby the splendid cliffs of the valley in the backdrop depicts the difficult decisions and the future repercussions it carries ahead.
The jagged landscape seems like it was originated by taking the inspiration from Tolkien’s work.
4. Lindon: Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
A province remembered for its exuberant forest and sunshine beaches, the Coromandel Peninsula is the setting of Lindon, a go-to place for the Elven Kingdom ruled by Gil-galad. The tranquil nature of the Peninsula is highlighted by the scenes set in Lindon, where Elves drinks a cup of tea cherishing the elegance of nature.
The ageless nature of Elves goes well with the setting of Coromandel, which is known for its ever-blushing and timeless beauty, making the viewers of the show feel a sense of peace and harmony. The cocktail of Elves lifestyle and the beauty of Coromandel is a perfect blend to picture the eternal kingdom of Lindon.
5. Mount Kidd, New Zealand
The clearly majestic Elven kingdom of Lindon, ruled by High King Gil-galad was set in this picturesque region of the Southlands, NZ. Seeming like a total borrow from Tolkien’s brain, Mount Kidd provides waterfalls beyond the count and the rugged terrain characteristic of the panoramic views of the Elven world.
Multiple scenes feature this absolute unit of a location which happens to be crown the political epicenter of Middle-earth. This spectacle possesses just the right genre of the otherworldly feeling that LOTR is popular for. This location, although remote, is accessible via helicopters and some local assistance.
6. Piha Beach
“I am the one keeping the storm at bay.” The Dark Lord hath proclaimed. But we know what bay he’s talking about. The black sand beach of Piha, NZ provides just the right backdrop for when Galadriel and Halbrand are shipwrecked.
Later rescued by the Captain in Númenor’s Sea Guard, Elendil, these waters mark a time-stamp for viewers for keeping a track of the events unfolding in the complex series. Piha beach has volcanic origins, which is picture-perfect for a setting that revolves around a volcano (Mount Doom), and the One Ring that was forged in it.
7. Pelorus River, Marlborough, New Zealand
That’s the river that Galadriel and Halbrand travel by after escaping the monstrous sea creature that attacked their makeshift raft. Set in Marlborough, this river symbolizes the haunting calm that follows an unfortunate event like the shipwreck.
Viewers although later completely taken aback by the true identity of Halbrand, find themselves amazed by this new path of the plot led by the duo.
Grabbing the screen for quite a while, this river was a “loud silence” following the shipwreck, allowing the viewers to feel a spectrum of emotions after the monster attack.
In a similar apprehensive font, the river also foreshadowed the “reign of terror” that meets the fate of Middle-earth, right from the unique dynamic of the duo until the very end, which features *SPOILER ALERT* a climactic fight between the two.
8. Earnslaw Burn
Eregion must not fall indeed, but who in seven hells could stop Sauron? Although set in multiple locations thought the season (including Denize Bluffs), the exterior of Khazad-dûm majorly features Earnslaw Burn, and takes a spirited hike west of Queenstown, NZ.
Eregion becomes the epicentre of the evolution of the plot of the season since this is where the Stranger (later revealed to be Sauron) influences Celebrimbor, the master craftsman, to begin the process of forging the Rings of Power.
Although the sequence symbolizes the bloody aftermath of lust for power, the towering rocks of the valley stand as stalwart reminders to the fact that no one plagued by power remains as the most powerful.
9. Why New Zealand?
Each of these places were meticulously hand-picked to not just ruminate the majesty of Tolkien’s work but also to instill the series with a sense of authenticity.
The geographical beauty of New Zealand has once again proven to be the show-stealer when it comes to encapsulating the fantasies of Middle-earth, converging the mystery and the magic of The Rings of Power to life in ways that still wins the heart of audiences across the globe.
10. About The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is an American TV series, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, developed by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Set 3,000 years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the show will be set in the Second Age of Middle-earth. Beginning with a time of peace, the series will follow the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron and the forging of the rings of power.
The cast includes Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, and Dylan Smith among many others.
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