Where was The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug filmed

Locations

• River

  In movie

  Scene where The hobbits, after meeting Thranduil, king of the wood elves, escape from his captivity. To escape, they decide to hide in wine barrels and raft them down a mountain river.

  Real

  River on the map

  Scene was shot on the Te Hoire River, which flows through the Pelorus Bridge Cynic Reserve, on the South Island in New Zealand. The river was chosen for its scenic views, rocky banks and very turbulent current, details that match the description of the river in the book.