Just a 50-minute drive north of Wellington along State Highway 2 lies the beautiful Kaitoke Regional Park, a tranquil slice of native forest that doubled as Rivendell – the home of the Elves – in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The park also featured in other scenes, including moments meant to represent the River Anduin.

“I feel as if I had stepped into a storybook.” — Bilbo Baggins

It’s hard not to feel the same way as you arrive.

Stepping Into Middle-earth

Fueled by excitement (and coffee from Hangar Café in Wellington), we parked at the rather small car park and headed over the bridge — not the suspension bridge, the other one! — and suddenly found ourselves standing in Rivendell.

This was the only filming location we visited that had detailed interpretive signage, complete with photos and explanations showing exactly which set once stood where, and what scenes were filmed on the spot.

While the original film set is long gone (as expected), a recreated Elven archway still stands quietly among the trees. The full archway once stood on this exact location and appeared in the extended edition during the moment the Fellowship sets out, when Frodo turns to Gandalf and asks:

“Mordor, Gandalf… is it left or right?”

The Birthplace of the Fellowship

One of the most special moments here is realising that you can stand on the exact spot where the Fellowship of the Ring was formed during the Council of Elrond. All nine members of the Fellowship stood here together for the first time.

“You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring.” — Elrond

It’s a powerful feeling for fans — quiet, atmospheric, and still carrying a hint of Middle-earth magic.

Wooden Elven poles dot the forest floor, and the signage does a fantastic job of showing how the different set designs evolved and how the filmmakers transformed this natural space into one of the most iconic locations in cinema history.

“There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something.” — Gandalf

Exploring Beyond Rivendell

While you’re in the park, we highly recommend a short walk across the suspension bridge near the car park. The Swingbridge Track is wheelchair- and pram-friendly and offers a wonderful introduction to the park’s towering forest — trees so tall and ancient they could easily pass for Ents.

Kaitoke Regional Park is known for its lush native forests of rimu, rātā, beech, hīnau, and kāmahi — remnants of the original lowland rainforest that once covered much of the region. The forest and river systems form an important ecological corridor, supporting native birds such as tūī, kererū (wood pigeon), fantails, bellbirds, and more.

“The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places… but still there is much that is fair.” — Haldir

🧭 Getting There

By Car: The main entrance is off Waterworks Road on State Highway 2, about 12 km north of Upper Hutt. Another access point is via Te Marua (Twin Lakes Road).