The Wellington NZ Evening Post published this map of film locales in the Hutt Valley. Descriptions from that edition are given below in dark blue. We were lucky to have a chance to visit them in Early 2002. The sets are all dismantled now so there is nothing but the bare ground, but still it was interesting to see. I think our guide thought we were crazy, but I guess he was used to dealing with crazy tourists!
 |
 |
| The Great River Anduin was filmed along the Hutt River from Moonshine Bridge to around Poets Park. NOW A river that looks inviting on sunny days, plenty of willow trees and a park to take the dog. | This is the beach from which the hobbits launched their boats. |
 |
 |
| Renée and I are standing where Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli stood. | Here is the copse of trees where the orcs caught and slew Boromir. |
 |
 |
| I am standing where Boromir drew his last breath. | Bree was filmed at Fort Dorset, Seatoun, Wellington. NOW Old Army Base buildings and big bits of lawn. Eventually it will become the site for a new Seatoun School. |
 |
 |
| Helm's Deep And Minas Tirith were filmed in Dry Creek Quarry at bottom of Haywards Hill Rd, just off Western Hutt Rd. | NOW a quarry ... |
 |
 |
| with a big chain fence! | I don't think the quarry people really like the tourists visiting! |
 |
 |
| Isengard was fiilmed at Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt. NOW a park, with plenty of trees and picnic spots, close to the Hutt River. | Rivendell is the only place that is marked with its own signs. |
 |
 |
| Rivendell was filmed in Kaitoke Regional Park. NOW native bush, usual stunning scenery and good picnic spots. | Here the river flows past Rivendell. |
 |
 |
| Renée stands on the spot Gandalf occupied when Elrond whispered "Gollum has been seen!" | "Say nothing of this," was the wizard's reply. |
 |
 |
| The Mines of Moria, Cirith Ungol and lots more were filmed at Wellington's Three Foot Six Studios and Weta Workshop which are all in and around Camperdown Rd. | The animators in this unlikely spot created that Balrog that made you wet your pants! |
 |
| The Embassy Theater was where the world premiere was held ... probably the biggest event ever to hit Wellington New Zealand! It is truly beautiful country and provided some lovely locales for the film. |
