Today I would visit a Lord of the Rings movie location. I woke up around 10:30 am, having purposely turned off my alarm set for 8:30 am to enjoy a bit of extra sleep. After getting up, I took care of my morning routine—brushed my teeth and applied some gel to my hair. A group of friendly New Zealanders arrived at the site, using the toilets and exchanging cheerful greetings with me. Intrigued by their enthusiasm, I joined in and decided to take some pictures of the river. To my delight, the river turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I had learned the previous day about a nearby Lord of the Rings film location, though it was on private land, limiting my view to just a glimpse.
Exploring Lord of the Rings Filming Locations: A Journey from Dawn to Dusk
Last night, I revisited the movie scene to appreciate the landscape, with its picturesque pine trees and majestic mountains in the background. This morning, I retraced my route, heading north for 5-10 kilometers before making a left turn. If you’re approaching from Tarras, drive south for 5 kilometers and then turn left onto Moari Point Road. Follow this road for 2 kilometers, and you’ll arrive at the enchanting forest where the scene “Flight to the Ford” was shot.
Upon reaching the forest, I couldn’t resist capturing its beauty and the surrounding landscape. It struck me as amusing how there’s farmland right next to it. In my imagination, I pictured Liv Tyler relaxing in this serene setting after that long and exhausting scene—quite a humorous thought!
I parked my car and observed a sign reiterating, ‘Keep off, private land,’ indicating that only tour companies were permitted. Undeterred, I ventured up the road for a mere 20 meters, capturing a single photograph (shown third below) that unmistakably reflected the distinct characteristics of the area.
I contemplated entering the forest, but the presence of my car could jeopardize my cover. Not willing to take the risk, I departed after 15 minutes, opting to capture alternative shots of the forest from a higher vantage point along a gravel road parallel to the highway.
Unexpected Turns: The Surprising Tale of a Pub in Cromwell
Subsequently, I headed south once again. Fifteen kilometers ahead lay Cromwell, a small town. Upon parking my car, I strolled around, noting the deserted streets due to it being Sunday.
I opted to grab lunch and charge my laptop, and stumbled upon a pub named Cromwell Brew House, known for serving Speight beer, a New Zealand brand. The staff greeted me warmly, and I inquired about using a power socket while having lunch. The woman informed me that I’d need to wait for a table near an available power socket. Accepting this, I mentioned I’d wait and learned about a breakfast deal that piqued my interest. I ordered the deal, consisting of bacon, toast with eggs, fried potato nuggets, and a sausage, along with a side of coke. The food was average, nothing remarkable. After finishing my meal, I settled at a table to charge my laptop, spending about an hour there.
Around 2 pm, I approached the staff for another drink. Expecting to place an order, the server surprised me with a glass of water. Although I intended to ask for a coke, I decided water was fine. As I continued writing on my laptop, the server returned, requesting payment as their breakfast menu had concluded, and they were transitioning to lunch service. This caught me off guard, as I’ve never encountered such a practice in any restaurant worldwide. However, realizing it was a pub with a dining area, not a traditional restaurant, I proceeded to the bar to settle the bill.
While making the payment, I ordered another coke and was asked if I wanted to include it in the current bill. To my surprise, the woman mentioned that the drink wouldn’t cover the power usage, implying I needed to order more if I intended to stay longer. This left me astonished, as the initial friendliness had given way to an unexpected demand for additional purchases due to power usage.
After Googling the bar, I came across numerous negative reviews. Reflecting on what I had learned about hospitality from Helmi during our time in a Bali restaurant, I felt compelled to make a statement. Similar to Helmi’s approach, I decided to share a positive review online. Thirty minutes later, I exited the pub, choosing to disregard any interaction with them. It was indeed a disappointing experience.
Scenic Drives and Surprising Stops
The lake’s reflection was utterly breathtaking; it exhibited a remarkable stillness with no ripples in sight. Equally impressive was the road stretching southward (as depicted in the last image above). It ran alongside a grand river, bordered by mountains on both sides, with the road situated on the left bank. Despite the inability to capture images of the road due to the heavy traffic, its splendor left me in awe! I made a mental note to return tomorrow and capture its scenic beauty. My affection for this country deepened, especially for the enchanting display of colorful trees lining the riverbank. The entire scene had a magical quality that resonated with me.
Heading down the river, I encountered a substantial dam—Clyde Dam. After passing it, I took a turn at Clyde. Navigating through the streets, I arrived at a picturesque picnic site. From the comfort of my car, I snapped some photos before retracing my route, eager to reach the lookout point for the dam.
Returning to the highway, I made a left turn after 500 meters. Reaching the lookout, I marveled at the impressive sight of the dam. Truly amazing.
I departed and captured one last image of the opposite end of the dam, where the water level was significantly higher. Heading south towards Alexandra, which was 10 kilometers ahead.
I drove to Alexandra, parked my car, and set up my GPS for the next campsite. While there was a fee, it was worthwhile, considering the positive reviews online. The campsite boasted excellent amenities, including a well-appointed kitchen, a communal area, and, notably, clean showers.
Omakau Nights: Showers, Shaves, and Movie Character Lookalikes
Twenty kilometers to the east lay Omakau, a small village with a stunning landscape that I planned to explore tomorrow. Upon reaching the camping site, I approached the reception, where a man was seated. I paid the 15-dollar fee and was directed to park my car beside the vacant caravans in the field. Taking in the surroundings, I couldn’t resist capturing some pictures of the area.
I inquired with the gentleman if it was permissible for me to depart around 10 pm to warm up the car, and he assured me that it was acceptable. Following that, I headed for a shower, where I paid 2 dollars for a 6-minute session. Despite the cost, the experience was excellent. The showers provided a cascade of hot, refreshing water. With two coins on hand, I opted for a 12-minute shower, during which I also took the opportunity to shave and brush my teeth. Given the rapid growth of my beard, I joked that in a few days, I might resemble the character from the movie ‘Into the Wild.’
Later in the evening, I explored the community room and kitchen, which boasted impressive kitchen equipment and refrigerators. Although I didn’t have a need for them, it was a noteworthy feature. Subsequently, I returned to my car, indulging in some series watching and report typing. As the night progressed, around 2 am, I retired to bed, battling the persistent jetlag with a touch of humor. Despite the late hours, my days were still enjoyable. Throughout the evening and into the night, rain persisted. Aware of the unfavorable weather forecast for the next day, I remained undeterred. I was determined to explore another movie location from Lord of the Rings: the picturesque land of Rohan.
