Hollywood’s elite head for New Zealand

Hollywood's elite is set to descend on New Zealand once more to film the much anticipated classic - The Hobbit

Middle Earth will once again come to life in New Zealand, as the film location is set for J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, the prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The Hobbit, starring British greats such as Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage and Ian McKellen, has been highly anticipated ever since the success of the first three movies, which were also filmed in New Zealand and showcased the country's spectacular landscapes and natural beauty to the rest of the world.

Since these films were released, the movie set locations have been continually popular sites of interest for visitors. Now, due to the filming of The Hobbit, leading Australasia tour operator, Austravel, predicts a surge of interest in New Zealand and the film set tours.

"So called 'set jetting' is an increasingly popular form of tourism so we can expect interest in New Zealand to rise even more," says Ben Briggs, Austravel brand manager.

"Travellers are always on the lookout for new adventures and experiences in New Zealand. Our film set tours are particularly popular because they mar the boundaries between reality and fantasy, but ultimately prove that the country is beautiful both on and off the screen."

Offering a wide range of holiday types that show the diversity of the country, Austravel's experienced travel designers can make a New Zealand holiday dream become a reality.

For the film and fantasy minded traveller looking to re-live their favourite Lord of the Rings scenes, Austravel offers two Lord of the Rings themed tours:

Lord of the Rings Country - Middle Earth - a day tour out of Wellington for £158 per person. Tours depart daily, taking in the highlights of 'Middle Earth' at a relaxed pace within a small group setting.

'Safari of the Scenes' - a half day 4WD tour from Queenstown for £73 per person. Tours depart daily and give a spectacular look at the diversity of the local scenery, including several film sites.

For more information or to book please visit: austravel.com