While many tours track the hobbits’ ins and outs through Middle Earth, Wellington was the real-life home for the actors in “Lord of the Rings.” A simple map of this New Zealand city and a point in the right direction are all clients need to find their way around the “most famousest” of places.
Inspired by a tour of Middle Earth, I felt ready for this new quest. Armed with my savvy and a map, I took to the streets to track the hobbits, elves and warriors — and their favorite spots in Wellington.
My first stop was a mesmerizing green building that turned out to be The Green Parrot. Established in 1926 by former U.S. soldiers after W.W.I, The Green Parrot is known for home-style meals and was a regular stop for Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn). Viggo liked it so much, this diner became the site for his book’s launch party (“Hole in the Sun,” a book of his poetry and photography).
Upscale dinner faire includes the award-winning, The White House. A favorite of Liv Tyler (Arwen), this restaurant specializes in seafood and organic veggies and sits on nearby Oriental Bay.
Elijah Wood (Frodo) was a regular at Logan Brown, which prepares a wide range of New Zealand cuisine with a dessert sampler worthy of ignoring any diet. Both restaurants are considered culinary highlights in Wellington.
Whether fashionably hip or a fan of “Lord of the Rings,” clients should go to The Matterhorn. Although the cast of the movie booked out the bar on several occasions, this packed, long and narrow bar was a staple of Wellington nightlife on pedestrian Cuba Street long before the hobbits ever arrived.
A few blocks away on Courtney Street, Molly Malone’s, was a favorite of Sean Bean (Boromir). The bar stays open late and offers live music nightly.
Farther Afield
Just outside Wellington, along the South Coast, is sleepy Seatoun. Fans will enjoy Seatoun as many of the stars lived in this suburb during filming. Seatoun also hosted a number of filming sites and director Peter Jackson still makes his home there.
Apart from being an old stomping ground for the actors, however, the only fan-worthy site is an eatery in town called the Chocolate Fish. Fortunately, I found it fun and funky with affordable meals. The restaurant is open from “9-ish to 5-ish,” seven days a week and is supposed to be a favorite of Orlando Bloom (Legolas) and Peter Jackson.
More recent star sightings include “King Kong” stars Evan Grey and Naomi Watts.
Fans and clients who are fond of watersports will want to know about Lyall Bay. Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Viggo Mortensen learned to surf here. The bay is located just past the airport.
Die-hard fans might consider staying at the posh Intercontinental Hotel. The Intercontinental is this city’s only five-star-rated accommodations with 24-hour security. It was also the hotel used to house the VIPs for the premiere of the trilogy’s final installment, “Return of the King.”
Located on Taranaki Street is the newly opened Film Archive. The Archive houses all the film works of New Zealand; rare television, commercials, historical Maori footage and of course, Peter Jackson’s early films. The Film Archive is open to the public and admission is free to all.
Travelers wanting more should try Wellington Rover.
This company offers guided tours of Middle-Earth locales and a few glimpses of the secret sets of the latest Peter Jackson effort, “King Kong.” This production will star Naomi Watts, Adrian Brody, Jack Black and former “Lord of the Rings” cast member Andy Serkis (Gollum).
SEE MIDDLE EARTH
Fans should be aware that contractual agreements have required all evidence of the original film sets be destroyed. However, “Lord of the Rings” fans and film enthusiasts sign up for organized tours daily to Middle-Earth filming sites in Wellington and elsewhere in New Zealand.
On my tour, we crossed paths with several groups braving the weather to see many of the same sites.
CONTACTS
Matterhorn
04-384-3359
www.matterhorn.co.nz
Molly Malone’s
Corner of Taranaki/ Courtney St.
04-384-2896.
The Green Parrot
04-384-6080
www.greenparrot.co.nz
The White House
232 Oriental Parade
04-385-8555
Logan Brown
04-801-5114
www.loganbrown.co.nz
The Chocolate Fish
04-388-2808
E-mail: Penny-chocfish@hotmail.com
Hotel Intercontinental
04-495-7811
www.ichotelsgroup.com
The Film Archive
04-384-7647
www.filmarchive.org.nz
Wellington Rover Tours
02-142-6211
www.wellingtonrover.co.nz
Written and photographed by Devin Galaudet
For further information on the Lord of the Rings in New Zealand:
www.purenz.com/homeofmiddleearth
City of Wellington Info:
www.wellingtonnz.com
