There is no doubt that Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movie trilogy has increased tourism to New Zealand. Of course the country has always attracted adventurers. After all, bungy jumping, zorbing, jet boating and other adrenalin pumping activities originated here. But the films have definitely added to the appeal and it’s highly unlikely during any visit that you’ll be able to avoid hearing references to the Lord of the Rings. Here’s an example:

The Kawarau River in Queenstown is one of four rivers that make up the River Anduin in Middle-earth and it’s here that the nine companions canoed past the Pillars of the Kings (at the end of the first film). Just around a bend in the river is the historic Kawarau Bridge and location of the world’s first ever bunging jumping site.

Some Lord of the Rings tours combine walking with sight-seeing and, if you are really keen, you can pick up Ian Brodie’s book The Lord of the Rings Location Guide. Just a quick flick through its pages and you’ll realise that the film locations are everywhere, including the hiking areas around Milford Sound, Mount Cook and the Tongariro National Park. It’s also worth noting that actor Sean Bean often hiked for a couple of hours through snow – in full Boromir costume – to get to locations to avoid flying in the helicopter. Now that’s taking a fear of heights to a new extreme!

www.newzealand.com/travel/homeofmiddleearth
www.nomadsafaris.co.nz
www.dartriver.co.nz
www.hobbitontours.com

Spectacular Day Hikes

The Tongariro Crossing (18.5 km)
The Tongariro Crossing on the North Island is reputedly New Zealand’s best day hike, and arguably the best in the world. The hike features an active volcano, boiling mud pools, and side trips up Mount Tongariro (1,967m) and Mount Ngauruhoe (2,287m). There are picturesque lakes, including the water-filled explosion craters known as the Emerald Lakes and the Blue Lake, which is an old volcanic vent. This bleak and harsh landscape featured as Mordor in Lord of the Rings (you see, I just couldn’t stop myself from mentioning it). Mount Ngauruhoe featured as the spectacular Mount Doom. www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz
    
Note: Some climbs are steep and the weather is unpredictable. Transport to and from the hike is easily arranged: www.nationalpark.co.nz/pages/tongariro-guiding-transport-and-service

East Hooker Valley (four hours return hike)
Located in the Mount Cook National Park, the East Hooker Valley trail is one of the most spectacular half day hikes in New Zealand, particularly because of the incredible vistas of towering mountains (there are 22 peaks in excess of 3,000m in this national park). Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki – the Cloud Piercer, is the highest peak in Australasia at 3,755m. On a clear day this hike is the perfect way to view Mount Cook. The trail meanders across meadows via boardwalks and alongside the rushing Hooker River before crossing a couple of swing bridges. Eventually it emerges above the blue terminal lake of the Hooker Glacier and it’s worth lingering to see the glacier calving chunks of ice.

Combination Adventures

Abel Tasman Coast Track (52 km)
Abel Tasman National Park has beautiful beaches with incredibly white sand and crystal clear waters. Located on the South Island, it also features one of New Zealand’s Great Walks – the Abel Tasman Coast Track. The trail is a three to five day hike and it’s possible to combine walking with other adventure activities, such as kayaking or horse-riding. If time is scarce there’s a day trip that includes hiking for three or four hours, lunch on the beach, and a sailing trip back to the start. www.abeltasman.co.nz

Queen Charlotte Track (71 km)
Located at the top of the South Island in the Marlborough Sounds, the Queen Charlotte Track is a wonderful walk that begins at historic Ship Cove and features incredible views of Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. There are many options available for those wanting to explore this track, especially if you take advantage of the water taxis. Not only do they drop you at a lodge of your choice, they also transfer your luggage, which leaves you to enjoy the walk carrying only a daypack. There are also day trips combining dolphin watching, bird spotting on a protected wildlife island, and a few hours hiking on Queen Charlotte Track.
www.qctrack.co.nz
www.naturetours.co.nz/new-zealand/Groups-private-charters

Heli-hiking
Fox Glacier on the South Island is one of the world’s most accessible glaciers. At 13 kilometres, it’s the longest of the West Coast glaciers and is unique because it ends in temperate rainforest only 250 metres above sea level. From Fox village it’s only a five-kilometre walk to the terminal face and the glacier can be viewed from walking tracks in the area. Alternatively Fox Guides have a variety of tours including Heli-hiking, which combines a scenic helicopter flight with two-and-a-half hours of hiking on the glacier.  

Seen from the air Fox Glacier is a massive sheet of undulating ice and it’s almost impossible to make out the helipad and other tourists already on the ice. It’s a great perspective before landing, disembarking and commencing the hike. Once on the ice there is opportunity to explore ice caves, admire natural ice sculptures, and peer into the brilliantly blue crevasses. Guides use ice picks to cut steps into the ice, and while it does take time to get used to walking in boots with crampons, it’s an awesome experience. www.foxguides.co.nz

Tours

Flying Kiwi has tours ranging from 3-28 days. They encourage hiking, cycling and other adventure options, and have flexible itineraries. www.flyingkiwi.com

Intrepid Travel, who specialise in small group adventure tours, are currently offering discount on all New Zealand trips booked prior to 31st July. www.intrepidtravel.com.au

Further information: www.newzealand.com/travel

Do you have a favourite New Zealand hike? If so, please share it with us at Explorer Girls.

www.ExplorerGirls.com / Karen Graham

Images: Karen Graham