Considering the fact that The Rings of Power is set in the same universe as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings, filmmakers have certain criteria to meet. Middle-earth has a certain aesthetic look to it that, while manageable in the studio, is more effective when real wonders of the world are used to help build this magical fictional world. The Rings of Power is jam-packed with fantastic shots of phenomenal locations. Here’s a look at all the real-world filming locations used so far in The Rings of Power and why they were chosen.
New Zealand and Lord of the Rings
Fans of the original Lord of the Rings movies will already be aware that the first three films and the subsequent prequel Hobbit trilogy were shot primarily in New Zealand. Thanks to Lord of the Rings, New Zealand has seen a surge in tourism, with attractions like the Walk to Mordor and even visiting The Shire. With its vast landscape and unique layout, New Zealand makes an ideal filming location for any fantasy-type story. It made sense for filmmakers, as a result, to return to New Zealand for The Rings of Power to recreate the same atmosphere as seen in the previous films. Indeed, the majority of production took place on the Northern Island, with beautiful scenes shot in a variety of locations across New Zealand in Haukari, Piha, and Fjordland National Park.
Coromandel Peninsula
One of the largest peninsulas in New Zealand, the Coromandel Peninsula or Te Tar-o-te-ika-o-Maui in the Native Maori, encompasses the Hauraki Marine Park. With green hills surrounding Mount Moehau, the majority of the peninsula is covered in forest jam-packed with a variety of flora and fauna that make for an exceptional addition to Middle-earth. Untouched by human hands, the Coromandel Peninsula adds a whole new setting for audiences to become awestruck over.
Piha Beaches
The Rings of Power does call for a number of seaside scenes, one particular scene is when Galadriel and Halbrand become stranded on the beach after The Sundering. The Piha beaches may seem a tad out of place for The Lord of the Rings, considering that a vast majority of the story takes place in the mountains or forest, but the presence of such a unique beach only adds to the depth of the world-building. With its black sand and fauna-covered cliffs, the Piha beaches are a fantastical place that must be seen to be believed.
Fjordland National Park
As the largest national park in New Zealand, Fjordland National Park features Mount Kidd, which is seen when the characters in The Rings of Power climb a mysterious reach among the Misty Mountains on a quest of discovery. Another part of the national park that can be seen in the series is the shores of Lake Te Anau, which serves as the setting for Anduin. This area can also be seen in The Two Towers when Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins are crossing the Swamp of the Dead, with Gollum leading the way.
