A Guide to Mount Sunday

Mount Sunday is a beautiful, remote region in the heart of New Zealand's South Island in the Southern Alps. It is most famous for being home to the filming location of Edoras, the capital of Rohan in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

How to Get to Mount Sunday

The only way in to Mount Sunday is to drive the gravel road through Hakatere Conservation Park. The road to Mount Sunday begins at the tiny town of Mount Somers, about 1.5 hours south of Christchurch. The gravel road into Mount Sunday will take about an hour each way. You'll leave the way you came; it is not a loop road.

Where to Stay in Mount Sunday

There is just one accommodation in the region: Mount Potts Lodge. Here, you can stay either at the lodge or you can camp for $28 per car. In the winter, the lodge is closed but they do keep the toilets open and there is an outdoor cooking space. The most incredible thing about Mount Potts is that you're staying literally in the middle of nowhere with no-one but the local goats, ducks, cows and deer to share the best night sky I have ever seen. There's no light pollution this far out so on a clear night you're guaranteed a most beautiful show.

Things to Do in Mount Sunday

Enjoy the wilderness. It's empty here, so take advantage of the silence, the vastness and the gorgeous night sky.

Hike Mount Sunday, a brisk 1-hour walk to the peak of Edoras from Lord of the Rings. Mock weaponry from the film set is available to take photographs with.