I knew that I wanted to visit the Rangitata Valley from the moment I booked my ticket. Not only because the images from the Lord of the Rings films were amazing (yes I booked some of the destinations in NZ according to the LOTR), but also because Mt Potts station looked like a hell of a place to stay at.

Mount Potts is on private land, yet still has an easy access point from the Mount Somers road. Driving those approx. 50km to Mt Potts station gave me an absolute adrenaline rush, because I’ve never been so impressed with my surroundings… Imagine driving along a gravel road, all by yourself, no cell phone reception and no cars or houses in sight for kilometres, while listening to “The Fellowship Reunited“… then you turn around a left corner when all over sudden you’re in the centre of the vast Rangitata Valley; the Southern Alps in the background, the river plains in the front and Mount Sunday right in the centre without any connection to the outer world.

Mount Sunday sits all alone in an expansive river plain surrounded by the dramatic mountains. In the LOTR, Rangitata Valley is known as Rohan with Edoras (Mount Sunday) as its capital city. Quite an impressive site. I spent 4 full days in this area and I must say that apart from the Milford Track, this my the highlight of my New Zealand adventure!

I really did my best to capture the moment through my photos, but in this case they will only give you an impression & can never give you the full-on experience.

Driving along the gravel road to the Rangitata Valley will give you the chills…

Stunning landscape along Mount Somers road just before approaching the Rangitata Valley…

… and then you turn and suddenly you’re in the centre of the Rangitata Valley – aka Rohan – in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Here you can see the famous Mt. Sunday; for Lord of the Rings fans, this place is known as Edoras, the capital of Rohan.

Mount Potts is the highest mountain of Mount Potts range and great for a long day hike (rather for experiences trekkers only).

The river formed the Rangitata Valley, in the center of the Southern Alps, and the on-location photography of the Edoras.

The landscape of the Rangitata Valley – aka Rohan – in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Panorama of the landscape of the Rangitata Valley – aka Rohan – in Canterbury, New Zealand.