including the home of Bilbo Baggins, Bag End. Little imagination is needed to conjure up scenes that unfolded elsewhere, such as Tongariro National Park near the resort town of Taupo . All three of its brute volcanoes starred, with Mount Ruapehu -- the largest -- taking the plum role of Sauron's stronghold, Mordor. Varied hiking paths wend amid the peaks, with guidance available from the National Park visitor centre ( www.doc.govt.nz ). Much more filming occurred on Department of Conservation ( www.doc.govt.nz ) land throughout the country, freely accessible to visitors and threaded with walks, cycling trails and picnic spots. Another LoTR location was Canaan Downs, a hilltop scenic reserve between Motueka and Golden Bay in the South Island's Nelson Region . Stands of ancient beech trees bounded by rolling meadow scattered with eerie rock formations made for a magical Chetwood Forest (where Aragorn leads the Hobbits soon after they leave Bree). Canaan is a rewarding detour off the main road, and within a stone's throw of three national parks -- Abel Tasman , Kahurangi , and Nelson Lakes . The vast, unpopulated landscapes of the South Island served LoTR well. In Mt Cook Mackenzie Country , three hours southwest of Christchurch , Sauron's orcs clashed with the men of Gondor and Rohan on Pelennor Fields. While the battlefield is on private land, the incredible Mackenzie basin -- golden grasslands, surreal blue lakes and backdrop of the Southern Alps -- will give you a delectable taste of the action. The