Australian crowds will have the rare chance to see some of the secrets and painstaking detail behind the Academy Award-winning The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy this summer through a unique exhibition now on show at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.
Sponsored by Air New Zealand and on show until 31 March 2005, The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy: The Exhibition has been described as one of Sydney's summer blockbuster events having toured the globe and drawn record crowds worldwide.
Developed over two years by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in conjunction with New Line Cinema, the interactive exhibition allows fans to experience the fantastic world of Middle-earth from Peter Jackson's Academy Award-winning Motion Picture Trilogy.
The exhibition contains hundreds of artefacts including props, costumes, jewellery, models, armour and weapons, video interviews, film footage and a behind-the-scenes look at how the special effects for the films were created.
The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy, shot almost entirely in New Zealand, has been a major boon for New Zealand with the films working as a major advertisement for the country as a tourist destination.
The New Zealand International Visitor Survey research conducted in 2004 showed that 89 per cent of visitors to New Zealand were aware of the connection between the films and New Zealand and a further 7 per cent said the films were one of the motivating factors in their decision to come to New Zealand.
To celebrate the Exhibition, Air New Zealand Holidays has launched special The Lord of the Rings packages to New Zealand for fans to explore the various filming sites scatter across the country.
Packages include return economy airfares to Wellington, Christchurch or Auckland, five days car hire and all applicable Australian taxes. Prices start from:
Wellington : $574 ex Sydney, $640 ex Melbourne, $642 ex Brisbane, $976 ex Perth and $898 ex Adelaide.
Auckland: $634 ex Sydney, $640 ex Melbourne, $642 ex Brisbane, $976 ex Perth and $898 ex Adelaide.
Christchurch: $614 ex Sydney, $600 ex Melbourne, $602 ex Brisbane , $976 ex Perth and $898 ex Adelaide.
Travellers can add on a number of Lord of the Rings sightseeing options including:
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tours (Matamata) from $50 per person
- Flat Earth Middle-earth Filming Locations Tour (Wellington) from $81 per person
- Rover Ring Tour (Wellington) from $150 per person
- Nomad Safari Half Day Safari of the Rings Tour (Queenstown) from $120 per person
- Dart River Jet Boat Safari (Queenstown) from $179 per person.
- Trails of Middle-earth Full Day Tours (Wanaka) from $269 per person.
Packages are on sale until 25 March 2005 for travel up to 31 March 2005. Package prices are based on twin share and conditions apply. For bookings go to www.airnewzealand.com.au or call Air New Zealand Holidays on 1300 365 525.
The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy: The Exhibition is on until 31 March 2005 at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. Special admission prices apply for advance bookings contact Ticketmaster7 on 136 100 or go to www.powerhousemuseum.com.
