Amazon’s The Rings of Power is visually ambitious, with a production scale that rivals anything previously attempted in Tolkien adaptations. From sweeping coastal kingdoms to dark underground halls, the series brought Middle-earth’s Second Age to life through a mix of natural landscapes and digital enhancements. Most filming took place in New Zealand, with a shift to the UK in later seasons, and many real-world locations were used to anchor the fantasy in tangible beauty. Here’s a look at the most compelling locations in the series and the real places that gave them shape.
Númenor
In-World Setting: A grand island kingdom of Men, Númenor is portrayed as a powerful maritime civilisation with ornate architecture, bustling harbours, and Mediterranean-style terrain.
Filming Location: Auckland, New Zealand
- The elaborate sets for Númenor were constructed at Kumeu Film Studios near Auckland, with additional scenes enhanced by Wētā FX using green screen and digital matte paintings.
- The coastal cliffs and harbours were modelled in part on Piha and other North Island beach landscapes, although much was digitally expanded to capture the grandeur of the kingdom.
Khazad-dûm
In-World Setting: The thriving Dwarven city beneath the Misty Mountains, shown in its golden age long before it became the ruined Moria seen in The Lord of the Rings.
Filming Location: Studio Sets, Auckland Region
- The interior of Khazad-dûm was built on soundstages at Auckland Film Studios, with practical stonework and towering columns creating the sense of scale.
- Lighting effects were carefully engineered to simulate light shafts from openings far above, evoking a city carved into the bones of the earth rather than built atop it.
Lindon
In-World Setting: The Elven realm ruled by Gil-galad, filled with serenity, tall trees, and ceremonial elegance.
Filming Location: Mount Kidd, Fiordland National Park
- Fiordland’s dramatic valleys and glacial scenery were ideal for portraying Elven high culture.
- Subtle set design added to the natural backdrop without overwhelming it, preserving the tranquillity and age-old majesty central to Elven identity.
Eregion
In-World Setting: A key Elven realm led by Celebrimbor, where the Rings of Power are forged.
Filming Location: South Island, New Zealand
- The golden light and rolling foothills of the South Island were used extensively, blending realism with the early industrial tone of Eregion’s workshops.
- Some aerial footage incorporated footage from the Central Otago region.
The Southlands (later Mordor)
In-World Setting: The realm of Men near Mount Doom, slowly falling into decay and destined to become Sauron’s stronghold.
Filming Location: Waikato and Tongariro National Park
- Volcanic plains near Mount Ruapehu and Tongariro served as the template for this region’s transformation into Mordor.
- Ashy tones and scorched trees were added digitally, but the terrain itself provided a strong foundation for the shift from green farmland to wasteland.
Valinor
In-World Setting: The undying lands of the Valar, portrayed as a place of perfect light and beauty, glimpsed in Galadriel’s backstory.
Filming Location: Abel Tasman National Park
- Abel Tasman’s golden beaches and pristine forests offered the ideal look for Valinor’s coastal bliss.
- The scenes were shot with soft natural light, enhanced with subtle digital filters to add otherworldly warmth and stillness.
Production Shift: From New Zealand to the UK
Amazon announced a move from New Zealand to the UK after the first season, marking a significant production change. While the first season benefited from the continuity of Peter Jackson’s earlier visual tone, future seasons are expected to lean more on British landscapes, including Scotland’s Highlands, the Lake District, and studio-built interiors in Berkshire and Surrey.
