2002 · Directed by Peter Jackson
Explore the real-world connections to The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, with each location linked to its own story and evidence.
These existing site references are not exact scene or camera positions. Access notes and sources remain attached to each location.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: site · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. See Ngāuruhoe from the park’s roads and tracks; iwi ask that you do not climb to the summits. Meads Wall is about 30 minutes return from the Whakapapa ski-field car park.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: site · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. Park on SH48 about 4 km below the visitor centre for an easy 10–15 minute walk. The river floods fast and the rocks are slippery; please do not enter the water.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: site · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. From the Hakatere Potts Road car park, the DOC track is 1.5 km and about 30 minutes one way. The last 26 km of road is unsealed and there is no phone signal.
General reference · Restricted access · Coordinate precision: site · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. A working deer farm with paid, pre-booked vehicle entry; signed film sites line the hill road. It can close for snow.
Whakapapa, Ruapehu and Ngāuruhoe
See Ngāuruhoe from the park’s roads and tracks; iwi ask that you do not climb to the summits. Meads Wall is about 30 minutes return from the Whakapapa ski-field car park.
Meads Wall near the Whakapapa ski field is where Frodo and Sam first meet Gollum.
Production: Whakapapa, Ruapehu and Ngāuruhoe · Depicted: Emyn Muil (fictional)
Tawhai Falls
Park on SH48 about 4 km below the visitor centre for an easy 10–15 minute walk. The river floods fast and the rocks are slippery; please do not enter the water.
Tawhai Falls is where Faramir’s men capture Gollum.
Production: Tawhai Falls · Depicted: The Forbidden Pool (fictional)
Mount Sunday
From the Hakatere Potts Road car park, the DOC track is 1.5 km and about 30 minutes one way. The last 26 km of road is unsealed and there is no phone signal.
Mount Sunday supplies the Edoras filming ground.
Production: Mount Sunday · Depicted: Edoras (fictional)
Deer Park Heights
A working deer farm with paid, pre-booked vehicle entry; signed film sites line the hill road. It can close for snow.
Deer Park Heights carries the Rohan refugees’ trek and the warg attack.
Production: Deer Park Heights · Depicted: Rohan refugees (fictional)
The film’s Wikidata record lists these production locations. Exact filming areas and visitor access have not yet been established here.
