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2 productions
Middle-earth's capital: Mount Victoria, Kaitoke's Rivendell, the Wētā Workshop and the studios where both trilogies were made.
SC 00 · MAP OF THE FILMING LOCATIONS
Kigsz · CC BY-SA 4.0EXT. KAITOKE REGIONAL PARK – UPPER HUTT
as Rivendell
The elven refuge was built in the beech forest by the Hutt River; nothing of the set remains, but the park has marked the spots and put up an elven archway in 2014.
Free, 45 minutes north of Wellington, car park and picnic area. The Rivendell walk is 15 minutes return.
Marshelec · CC BY-SA 4.0EXT. MOUNT VICTORIA – WELLINGTON
as The Hobbits' hiding place from the Black Rider
The first location filmed, in October 1999: the hobbits tumble down the bank and hide under the roots from the Ringwraith on the town belt above the city. The 'Get off the road' scene.
Free, a public park 15 minutes' walk from the city centre; the spot is on the track below the lookout road.
Carlos Pacheco from Toron… · CC BY 2.0INT. WĒTĀ WORKSHOP – WELLINGTON
as Where the props, armour and creatures were made
The Miramar workshop built the weapons, prosthetics and miniatures for both trilogies. The Wētā Cave and the workshop tours show the process and originals.
Guided tours, timed and paid; the Wētā Cave shop is free. Bus from the city to Miramar.
Simeon W from Wellington,… · CC BY 2.0EXT. PUTANGIRUA PINNACLES – CAPE PALLISER
as The Paths of the Dead
The eroded gravel pillars in the Wairarapa are the road Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli take to summon the Dead.
Free, a scenic reserve; the track follows the streambed and climbs to a lookout above the pinnacles, two to four hours return; there is no track to their base. Two hours from Wellington by car.
Carlos Pacheco from Toron… · CC BY 2.0INT. WĒTĀ WORKSHOP AND STONE STREET STUDIOS – WELLINGTON
as Where most of The Hobbit was made
Far more of The Hobbit was shot indoors than The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell, Goblin Town, Mirkwood, Erebor and Lake-town were sets at Stone Street Studios in Miramar. Next door, Wētā Workshop made the armour, weapons and prosthetics. The studios are closed to the public; the workshop is not.
Wētā Workshop tours at 1 Weka Street, Miramar: 90 minutes, from NZD 59, seven days a week except Christmas Day, booking required; a version with city-centre pickup from NZD 105. The Wētā Cave shop and mini-museum at the same address are free. Bus from the city centre to Miramar.