Lord of the valleys

Exploring the Dart Valley near Queenstown will have extra interest for those who have seen The Lord of the Rings. Three major parts of the movie were filmed in the Dart Valley in an area known locally as "Paradise", with Mt Earnslaw as the backdrop. The valley is largely untouched and a huge tourism drawcard for its magnificent grandeur.

Dart River Safaris, based in Glenorchy, offers safaris into the area, which was transformed into the Elven wood Lothlorien, Isengard and Amon Hen for The Lord of the Rings.

Visitors can choose from a Heritage Trail tour or transport themselves in a "funyak" down the winding rivers.

Contact: Dart River Safaris freephone 0800 327 8538 fax (03) 442 9075; email info@dartriver.co.nz

Dart River Safaris