Where was The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug filmed
Filming country: New Zealand
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was filmed in Queenstown in New Zealand.
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.
Timing: 01:02:16
Real
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.