Been to several Lord of the Rings tours in New Zealand, and this is my favourite. Not sure if it is because this is the place with Rivendell, or perhaps I had a knowledgeable and interesting guide.

Went for this tour in September 2006. According to my friend who went in March 2008, there were some changes. Just checked the website, there are even more additions to it now!

Itinerary

The first stop was to Mount Victoria. From the top, it provides a 360-degree view of Wellington city, harbour, and ocean. Mount Victoria is part of the Wellington town belt, land set-aside in 1841 as public recreation ground.

On the slopes of the mountain, is a film site for Lord of the Rings.  Here is where terrified hobbits hid from Black Riders in dense forest undergrowth. The guide even got us to re-enact the scene!

Then we proceed to Wellington Town Belt, walking through the outer shire. This location also includes scenes of ‘get off the road’ and ‘shortcut to mushrooms’. This is such a ‘nature’ place and it is surprisingly close to Wellington city.

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Putangirua Pinnacles – Dimholt Road

The special feature of Putangirua Pinnacles is the ‘badlands erosion’. It is a spectacular landscape formed over time as streambed exposed layers of gravel to rain and floods. The rocks that are more resistant formed the pinnacles.

Check out the viewing platform near the base of the pinnacles. The top bush walk track to the viewing platform above the Pinnacles formations has already been closed for safety reasons.

Kaitoke Regional Park – Rivendell

Among all the film sites in North Island, this is my favourite. Perhaps I really like the fantasy Rivendell. Somehow, Kaitoke Regional Park has the ethereal look, not sure if it is because this place was used as Rivendell.

The park is located at the foothills of Tararua Ranges, with many mature native trees such as beech, rata, and rimu. Best thing about this place, the “magical tranquillity” remained almost the same for centuries.

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Waitarere Forest – Trollshaw Forest and Osgiliath Wood

The Waitarere Forest is at the south of Foxton on the Kapiti Coast. This is one of the lesser-known forest track and not so common for tourists. If you want to go in, do bring sufficient food, water and a GPS along.

Kapiti Coast, on the other hand, is a popular holiday site for many Kiwis. It is about an hour from Wellington city, and you can get spectacular sea views, glorious sunsets, with an untouched native forest and dramatic landscapes.

Otaki and Otaki Gorge – Leaving the Shire

I had the impression I went somewhere in Otaki once for a camp. It was an outdoorsy camp and they recommended not to bring valuables. There is no reception for any mobile phone either.

There are several tracks that go from Otaki Gorge Road down to the gorge.  However, the actual locations used to show the Hobbits leaving the Shire in The Fellowship of the Ring are not accessible by public.

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