Kaitoke Regional Park
Rivendell & The Fords of Isen
Kaitoke Regional Park is nestled amidst the foothills of the Tararua Ranges, positioned 12 kilometers north of Upper Hutt. This expansive park spans around 2800 hectares of well-established native forest and remains a popular destination, drawing in over 100,000 visitors annually for activities like picnicking, swimming, and hiking.
To access the park, take the SH2 exit and journey along Waterworks Road until you reach the Pakuratahi - Hutt Forks car park. From this starting point, you'll have the option to embark on four distinct walking trails, each commencing nearby. Additionally, there are numerous inviting picnic spots dispersed along the riverside and the fringes of the lush bush. Kaitoke offers camping facilities on its grassy plains, complete with accessible toilets and coin-operated barbecues. The crystalline pools found in the Hutt and Pakuratahi Rivers present a perfect opportunity for refreshing swims during the warmer months.
The precise location of Rivendell is clearly marked at the park's entrance, and once you arrive, an interpretative display showcases the process of its construction and the final outcome. Despite the predominant use of digital rendering for exterior shots, the set designers erected a substantial set right here, featuring the bedroom where Frodo convalesced after his harrowing knife attack. The remarkable setup involved purpose-built scaffolding that extended into the river, alongside a man-made river course and waterfalls meticulously crafted to meet the filmmakers' meticulous specifications.
Initiated in November 1999, the construction engaged a workforce of over 30 individuals, culminating in the completed set by March 2000, perfectly timed for the filming scheduled between April and May of the same year. The filming phase saw a bustling crew of more than 300 individuals on site. The river, viewed from the adjacent bridge, notably portrayed The Fords of Isen in the extended DVD version of The Two Towers.
To access the park, take the SH2 exit and journey along Waterworks Road until you reach the Pakuratahi - Hutt Forks car park. From this starting point, you'll have the option to embark on four distinct walking trails, each commencing nearby. Additionally, there are numerous inviting picnic spots dispersed along the riverside and the fringes of the lush bush. Kaitoke offers camping facilities on its grassy plains, complete with accessible toilets and coin-operated barbecues. The crystalline pools found in the Hutt and Pakuratahi Rivers present a perfect opportunity for refreshing swims during the warmer months.
The precise location of Rivendell is clearly marked at the park's entrance, and once you arrive, an interpretative display showcases the process of its construction and the final outcome. Despite the predominant use of digital rendering for exterior shots, the set designers erected a substantial set right here, featuring the bedroom where Frodo convalesced after his harrowing knife attack. The remarkable setup involved purpose-built scaffolding that extended into the river, alongside a man-made river course and waterfalls meticulously crafted to meet the filmmakers' meticulous specifications.
Initiated in November 1999, the construction engaged a workforce of over 30 individuals, culminating in the completed set by March 2000, perfectly timed for the filming scheduled between April and May of the same year. The filming phase saw a bustling crew of more than 300 individuals on site. The river, viewed from the adjacent bridge, notably portrayed The Fords of Isen in the extended DVD version of The Two Towers.