Kaitoke Regional Park, Wellington

Walk # 11th April 2017

The Kaitoke Regional Park lies in the foothills of the Tararua Range near Wellington. It’s a catchment area for nearly half of Wellington’s water supply and the surrounding virgin bush is made up of old rata, beech and rimu trees.

Near the carpark a short side path leads to the site of Rivendell from the Lord of the Rings films.

We visited the park in 2017 but only had time to look at the LOTR location. The bush and river setting is so lovely, I can see why it was chosen for the Rivendell setting. It’s a walk we’ll return to.

Nothing remains of Rivendell except this replica arch.

A map shows the location of Frodo’s bedroom and Elrond’s house. The Pakuratahi river flows near the set before joining the Hutt River.

The tree where Legolas posed for publicity photos.

Besides the LOTR location there are a number of short walks. The main walk, a loop along the Hutt River, begins over a swing bridge from the carpark.

Walk: Wellington 9

Putangirua Pinnacles

Walk #118, 26th March 2024

This is another Lord of the Rings location, not as well visited as the other locations. It’s a bit off the beaten track, but the road is worth travelling as it also takes you to the fishing village of Ngawi and the Cape Palliser Lighthouse. There’s a nice camping and picnic area at the beginning of the walk.

Here we walked up the Putangirua stream bed to the pinnacles where the Dimholt Road scenes from LOTR were filmed.

The rock formations are stunning. The tall pillar like formations are known as “hoodoos.” The rock protects the soil from rain and prevents the soft gravel from eroding.

I was here in 2017. I have returned for a second visit in 2024 with my friend Rose

Walk: Wairarapa 6

Links

The Lord of the Rings set location #4 – Dimholt Road

The Road Goes Ever On

Mount Victoria Lookout Walk

Walk #111 15th November 2023

This walk features a Lord of the Rings location, where after leaving the Shire Frodo and Sam hide from the Nazgul under a bank on the road. The tree was artificial and the tree roots were props … so the real spot is a bit anti-climactic, but we took a cringey tourist photo anyway as we are fans of the Lord of the Rings.

Further on in the walk there are all sorts of interesting structures to play on based on native creatures, insects and fish.

When we reached the top of Mount Victoria we found the view was spectacular. We were fortunate the wind had died down so we were able to enjoy being there.

Walk: Wellington 22

Links

The Guide to The Lord of the Rings in Wellington

Tawhai Falls

Walk 34, Tawhai Falls, 3rd July 2020

The waterfall is on the road to the Chateau and is reached after a short stroll through mountain toatoa and beech forest.

The falls aren’t that high but they’re pretty. The water tumbles over the edge of an ancient lava flow.

Tawhai Falls

The site is also a Lord of the Rings location, it’s known as Gollum’s pool, the forbidden pool where Frodo and Faramir capture Gollum in the Lord of the Rings.

LOTR, Gollum, Tawhai Falls

The day we visited the falls, it was a beautiful, crisp winter’s day, and we’d just had the North Island’s first dump of snow. The mountains in the near distance – Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, looked beautiful with their white mantles set against a blue sky.

Mt Ngaurahoe

Mt Ruapehu

Walk: Tongariro National Park 45

Links

Whakapapa Village short walks
Tawhai Falls Walk Mt Ruapehu