Mordor - home of a sinister ruler Heading south from Lake Taupo, you will pass the three large volcanoes Tongariro, Nguarahoe and Ruapehu. With blasted volcanic rock, steep bluffs and ash, little imagination is required to envisage Mordor. Special care was undertaken during filming in all sensitive ecological areas and many acres of carpet were laid out for the Orcs and Elves to walk on, protecting the ground underneath. The Tongaririo Crossing, a day walk, via a crater and crater lake, is recommended. Turangi river is world famous for its’ trout fishing (permit required) and Whakapapa is a popular ski resort in winter. The rock outcrop known as Meads Wall beside Pinnacle Ridge was used in The Two Towers where Frodo and Sam capture Gollum. This area was used to show the Hobbits lost in the rocky wasteland of the Emyn Muil as they tried to find a way down to the desolate plain of Dagorlad and on to the Black Gate. Mordor: the desolate and tortured land from which Sauron planned to wage his final war to win domination over Middle Earth. Info:/ Hint: Out of respect for Maori custom, the summit of the largest volcano in Tongaririo National Park, Mt. Ruapehu was not shown in the final edit. To Maori, this area is tapu (Sacred Land). Tip: In Ohakune you can take a helicopter tour with Wanganui Aerowork, visiting some of the sites used to portray Mordor. The flight is one of contrasts – from primeval forests to lava blasted rock to azure blue lakes.

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