As 'The Hobbit' trilogy hits the big screen, fans across the world will be dreaming of a trip to see where Sir Peter Jackson’s blockbuster was filmed.
If, like HuffPost UK Lifestyle, return flights to New Zealand are a little out of your price range, fear not. We've pulled together a gallery of Hobbit-lovers' hot spots, so you don't even need to leave the armchair to get a hairy-toed fix.
Or you can begin to plan your journey here.
Are you excited about seeing 'The Hobbit' film trilogy? Let us know in the comments below
'The Hobbit' Travel Guide
Wellington Airport(01 of09)
Visitors arriving at Wellington’s airport will find themselves plunged into Middle-earth reality as they come face-to-face with a gigantic sculpture of Gollum catching fish, in the main terminalCreated by Weta Workshop, the installation is part of the city’s celebrations to mark the premiere of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'. Suspended from the terminal roof, the elongated 13-metre sculpture shows an emaciated but momentarily gleeful Gollum, submerged and reaching for his favourite meal of ‘juicy sweet fishes’.
Embassy Theatre, Wellington(02 of09)
The world premiere of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' took place at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington on 28 November 2012. On the big night, Sir Peter Jackson was joined by cast members, Hollywood stars and executives on the red carpet for the VIP invitation-only event.
Museum Hotel, Wellington(03 of09)
Stay at Museum Hotel where the cast, including Billy Connolly and Stephen Fry, were often spotted.
The Hobbit Artisan Market, Wellington(04 of09)
Wellington’s Waitangi Park was transformed into a Hobbit Artisan Market just days before the city became host to the worldwide premiere of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'. Sadly, the market is now over but we sure love this picture.
Weta Cave, Wellington (05 of09)
It costs nothing to visit the Weta Cave Museum in Wellington, but you’ll come away with a richer knowledge of how the brilliant Weta team bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s books to life. You’ll meet some of the characters from 'The Lord of the Rings', plus you can watch amazing behind-the-scenes videos with interviews from Weta co-founders Sir Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Jamie Selkirk.
Hobbiton, Matamata(06 of09)
Back in the late nineties when Peter Jackson saw aerial shots of farmland in Matamata in the North Island of New Zealand, he knew immediately it was perfect for The Hobbiton. The Hobbiton movie set was first opened to the public in 2003 but of course closed again for reconstruction and filming of 'The Hobbit'. Middle-earth tourists can again experience its magical rolling green hills, actual Hobbit holes (all 44 of them), Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures used in the forthcoming films, and share their love for The Shire. A whopping 266,000 visitors have experienced The Hobbiton movie set tours since it first opened.www.hobbitontours.com
The Majestic Alps, Queenstown(07 of09)
Not to be missed are the iconic locations made known by 'The Lord of the Rings' films. The Southern Alps, which stretch for 550km from Blenheim to Fiordland, provided a stunning backdrop for filming 'The Lord of the Rings'. Helicopters were required to fly crew and cast to remote shooting locations. This scene shows the mountains above Glenorchy, which sits at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu. While in the South, you can casually walk some of the world's best tracks or find a vast array of thrill-seeking activities like jet boating, rafting, bungee jumping and heli-skiing.
Milford Sound, Fiordland(08 of09)
Carved by glaciers over thousands of years, Fiordland is a world of deep waters, tall peaks and waterfalls and is instantly recognisable a backdrop in 'The Lord of the Rings'. Milford Sound can be explored by cruise boat or sea kayak. There’s also a network of walking tracks in the area, including the world famous Milford Track. Aerial shots over Milford Sound were used to show Arwen’s flight in 'The Lord of the Rings' and when it rains here, the mountainsides erupt with hundreds of waterfalls. Some begin so high up, they never reach the sea. It’s like a scene from a fantasy movie, but it’s absolutely real!
Mt Ngauruhoe, in Tongariro National Park(09 of09)
Situated in New Zealand's central North Island, Mt Ngauruhoe and the surrounding desolate volcanic landscape of the park provided the eerie wasteland of Mordor, home of the Dark Lord Sauron in 'The Lord of the Rings'. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a one-day hike that takes you into the heart of Middle-earth and visual highlights include crazy coloured crater lakes, steaming fumaroles and massive volcanic views.