Kaitoke Regional Park
The filming location for Rivendell, the elven city in The Lord of the Rings. It has a Hutt River gorge, a suspension bridge and rainforest trails, with on-site signs recreating the filming locations.
The park lies north of Upper Hutt. It has a suspension bridge over the Hutt River and clear swimming pools, and several forest trails ranging from 20 minutes to several hours. The Rivendell site has information boards and replica elven arches, where you can take photos to match scenes from the film.
Admission is free. There is a campground (fee-based) and picnic areas. It is about 45 minutes' drive from Wellington with no public transport, or you can join a Lord of the Rings day tour.
Opening hours
08:00 until dusk (except campgrounds)
Nearby sights
- Martinborough
- Kapiti Island
- Days Bay
- Pūtangirua Pinnacles
- Matiu / Somes Island
- Wētā Workshop
- Mount Kaukau
- Pencarrow Head Lighthouse