Today, I planned to explore Emyn Muil, the iconic movie location featured in the opening scenes of “The Two Towers” from Lord of the Rings, where Frodo and Sam are seen lost in Mordor. Rising at 9 am, I had ample time for breakfast and to step out of my room. The weather was splendid! While the past two days were decent, today presented a cloudless sky, signaling the perfect moment to visit Emyn Muil, my chosen Lord of the Rings movie location.
Nature’s Splendor: Journey to Whakapapa Village
I headed towards Whakapapa Village, a roughly 50-kilometer drive from Turangi, reaching there by 10:30 am. The landscape was breathtaking, and I relished the sight of the national park with a clear view of the mountain’s summit—no clouds in sight. After parking my car, I embarked on a simple 15-minute hike along the track.
I strolled toward the prominent rock formation, easily reaching the spot. This location was featured in the opening scenes of “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.” Specifically, it was used after the introductory shot of the misty mountains, which were shot somewhere in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
In the Footsteps of Frodo and Sam: Embracing the LOTR Movie Location
Immediately following the recap fight between Gandalf and the demon, there’s a scene where Frodo and Sam climb some rocks at Emyn Muil, with a river in the backdrop. It’s amusing how they blurred Mount Doom in the background. As they ascend the rocks and gaze ahead, they notice Mount Doom in front of them. “Let’s face it, Mr. Frodo, we’re lost,” Sam said. It’s amusing to observe them turning away from the river toward Mount Doom, even though, in reality, Mount Doom or Mt Ngauruhoe is situated behind them. It felt surreal to be in this location.
Under the sunny weather, Mordor, the ominous base of evil in the movie, presented a surprisingly picturesque scene. A towering rock formation to the left side caught my eye, yet regrettably, I didn’t capture it in a photograph. Its impressive stature prompted the desire for a better view, motivating me to walk in that direction. However, my attention was abruptly diverted by something else.
Unexpected Encounter: The One Ring and a Decision to Keep It
Before me, on a rock, lay the One Ring. “This is impossible!” I exclaimed to myself. Intrigued, I picked up the ring and examined it closely. Its lustrous and captivating appearance led me to a decision—I chose to keep it!
I proceeded toward the rock formation on my left, scouting for the most straightforward path. After walking for 10 minutes, I paused to capture some photographs of Mount Doom and the scenery below.
Seated at this spot, I enjoyed my banana and sipped on my Coke Zero. These are the ideal moments of travel—embarking on a hike, unwinding with a drink, and relishing the breathtaking scenery before you. It was truly incredible.
I took a 15-minute break to simply unwind. Following that, I captured more pictures, including shots of the ski lifts and the Whakapapa Village behind me. In the second picture below, you can see a splendid view of the initial rock formation of Emyn Muil where I had been earlier. The white snowy expanse in the images represents the slopes of Mount Ruapehu.
I strolled around, capturing more pictures during my one-hour stay. As I began my return journey, I took some final shots. In the first picture below, you can gauge the height of the rock formation—see if you can spot the person sitting on one of the rocks at Emyn Muil, haha.
Traversing Taupo: A Scenic Drive and Lake Views
I approached my car, disposing of some garbage first. Then, I removed my hiking boots before embarking on a long drive. My destination for the day: Taupo. As I descended the mountain, I captured my final photo of Mount Doom. It remained visible for the next 10 kilometers, gradually fading into the distance behind me.
Thirty minutes later, I returned to Turangi. I decided to refuel once more (considering I had already filled up before leaving) to ensure I would reach Taupo. I anticipated that fuel would be more affordable there.
The last stretch of the remaining 50 kilometers to Taupo was picturesque, featuring twists and bends with delightful views of the lake and its shores. Approximately 5 kilometers before reaching Taupo, I came across a lookout, and naturally, I took the opportunity to enjoy the view.
In the image above, Mount Ruapehu is visible on the left, housing Whakapapa Village, while on the right stands the stratovolcano Mt Ngauruhoe, famously known as Mount Doom.
Taupo’s Charm
Upon entering the town of Taupo, I was captivated by a picturesque view of the lake that compelled me to stop and capture its magic through a series of photographs.
The initial task on my agenda was finding a supermarket, and I stumbled upon a pak’nSAVE. I purchased groceries and a little snack. Following that, I conducted some online searches. My original plan was to proceed to Rotorua, but circumstances didn’t allow for it. There was a park en route that I intended to explore the next morning, and to avoid backtracking, I had no choice but to stay overnight in Taupo.
Riverside Serenity: Lunch and Leisure in the Thermal Park
Further exploration on Google led me to discover a delightful thermal park. I made the decision to visit and have my lunch there. Navigating with Google Maps, I easily reached the park within a mere 10 minutes.
I strolled along the path and reached the hot springs where people were enjoying a swim. Although the springs were rather small and I didn’t feel like taking a dip, I crossed the little bridge and settled on a rock next to the river. Life was quite remarkable: from having breakfast in Mordor to savoring a delightful sandwich in this scenic park.
Campsite Conundrum: Balancing Nature and Comfort
Following that, I found a campsite situated across the river, a bit more to the north. Since it was free, I decided to explore it. Around 4 pm, I arrived at the site, parked the car, and settled into the back seat. The atmosphere was pleasant, with a few people around but not too many. However, according to comments on Wikicamps, the toilets here were deemed disgusting by some visitors.
Seated in my car, I immersed myself in my Game of Thrones book until dusk, realizing it was getting too dark to continue reading. At that moment, I sensed that I didn’t feel great and might need a toilet soon. Considering the potential unpleasantness of the campsite facilities, I opted against camping there for the night. Consulting Wikicamps, I found that the YHA Taupo hostel seemed to be the most favorable option.
Evening Reflections: A Restful Night at the Hostel
I arrived, parked my car beneath their building, and walked to their office. Choosing a 4-person dorm, the staff informed me that only one person would be staying there tonight. I accepted the arrangement.
In the evening, I lay in bed feeling a bit unwell. I frequented the toilets periodically, grateful for my choice of a hostel over camping. It would have been a disaster. After some typing and internet research, I went to bed around 10 pm.
