Google Street View rolls out virtual hike across New Zealand

PanARMENIAN.Net - Have you always longed to visit New Zealand to see the place where the Lords of the Rings films were shot? Now you can do so without racking up a hefty airfare, Digital Spy said.

Google has taken its famous Street View cameras across the country's most famous hiking trails - the Great Walks, stunning expanses of natural beauty, Digital Spy reports.

The web giant teamed up with New Zealand's Department of Conservation to map out the trails with its Trekker hardware and bring 360-degree panoramic imagery to Maps users.

So, you can admire the view of Lake Waikaremoana from Panekire Bluff, look down on Hollyford Valley from Conical Hill, or check out the country's tallest waterfall, all without leaving your armchair.

You might not see any hobbits or elves on your digital travels, but baby seals are common at Separation Point - surely that's some consolation.

Google has previously sent its cameras to map out all kinds of places, from the bottom of the ocean to the dizzying heights of the tallest building in Dubai.