Mt Victoria & Lyall Bay
Dunharrow & The Black Gates of Mordor
When exploring Mount Victoria, you can also include a visit to the Rohirrim encampment of Dunharrow in your itinerary. While the expansive shots were captured in the South Island, the close-ups were filmed at both Mount Victoria and the nearby Lyall Bay. To reach the Mount Victoria filming location, follow Cambridge Terrace (past the Embassy) until you reach the Basin Reserve. At this point, make an immediate left turn (before entering the road tunnel) and ascend the steep Ellice Street. Due to limited parking availability, an option is to park nearby and take a stroll down through the park from Alexandra Road.
The abandoned quarry underwent a transformation into Dunharrow, featuring Rohirrim tents and a pathway through the center. This setting played host to the impactful scene where Dernhelm met Merry before embarking on their remarkable ride to aid the Gondorians.
Additional sequences were filmed at Lyall Bay, which lies adjacent to the airport and faces Cook Strait. By driving along Island Bay Road around Lyall Bay, you can find parking near the sea at Dorrie Leslie Park. Within the enclosed area along the cliff face, the filming captured the essence of Dunharrow. Moreover, at Red Rocks further along, it's the very spot where Frodo, Sam, and Gollum found refuge near the Black Gate.
The abandoned quarry underwent a transformation into Dunharrow, featuring Rohirrim tents and a pathway through the center. This setting played host to the impactful scene where Dernhelm met Merry before embarking on their remarkable ride to aid the Gondorians.
Additional sequences were filmed at Lyall Bay, which lies adjacent to the airport and faces Cook Strait. By driving along Island Bay Road around Lyall Bay, you can find parking near the sea at Dorrie Leslie Park. Within the enclosed area along the cliff face, the filming captured the essence of Dunharrow. Moreover, at Red Rocks further along, it's the very spot where Frodo, Sam, and Gollum found refuge near the Black Gate.