As we’re all asked to ‘travel here this year’, Kiwi holidaymakers just got a new attraction – some original landscapes and movie sets from the Lord of the Rings, which will open to the public for the first time in over 11 years.
Deer Park Heights, which is currently a working deer farm above Queenstown, has actually featured in several Hollywood films, including Wolverine, which starred Hugh Jackman, and Pete’s Dragon.
There is also an abandoned movie set also remaining, which featured in the Disney movie ‘The Rescue’, way back in 1986.
However, Deer Park Heights’ most famous role is from the Lord of the Rings, the trilogy of films that launched New Zealand straight to the top of bucket lists the world over.
Scenes filmed there include the escape from Rohan, from the ‘Two Towers’ movie, as well as the attack of the wargs (those ugly, giant warthog things).
The farm, which is around 800 hectares, first opened as a self-drive tourist attraction in 1966.
The past 11years have seen the farm closed by the Mee family who currently own the property, but the decision has been made to reopen from October 20th. Owner Mike Mee says he has changed his mind about opening, because ‘its such a great place to go’.
The scenic property includes views over Lake Wakatipu and others that look towards the stunning ‘The Remarkables’ mountains. There are also plenty of critters to keep to company, with red and fallow deer, goats, llamas, alpacas, donkeys, pigs and miniature horses.
Plenty of cute critters to hang out with, including donkeys.
Visitors can self drive 5 kilometres up the road to lookouts and also feed the animals as the come across them. However, buses, minivans, hikers, cyclists and commercial vehicles are excluded.
There are millions of Lord of the Rings fans across the world, but enough locals to ensure a healthy amount of tourism to sites such as the famous Hobbiton Film Set near Matamata, which recently hosted the annual International Hobbits Day where visitors dress up as characters and get involved in LOTR-themed events.
The park is 4km along Peninsula Rd from the Kelvin Heights turn off in Queenstown, and entry is signposted. It will operate an online booking system for cars of up to seven people.