New Zealand off Camera

With its surfeit of Oscars, Lord of the Rings has done more for New Zealand than any tourism campaign. Thankfully, there's plenty of the country's dreamscape left for those who want wide-screen scenery but don't care for Middle Earth hype. Base yourself in one of New Zealand's charming lodges and leave Hollywood behind.

Old Saint Mary's Convent: It's hard to believe that nuns once lived in this artfully restored five-room lodge in Marlborough, New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc capital, but it remains perfectly heavenly today. Rates start from $163 a night; convent.co.nz.

Bridge to Nowhere: This basic but blissfully secluded lodge sits beside the stunning Wanganui River. Owners Joe Adam and Mandy Jackson, their six children and a host of farm pets make you feel wonderfully at home as soon as you enter the six-room lodge. Rates begin from $75 per person per night; www.bridgetonowhere-lodge.co.nz.

The Station: Academic turned ceramic artist John Wi Neera and his wife, Helen, run a pottery and hotel in this converted 1940s railway station, an hour's drive from Wellington. Among the attractions near the 1.5-hectare property is the sacred Kapiti Island, a nature reserve that allows no more than 50 visitors daily. Rates start from $78 a night; thestation.net.nz.