Hutt ValleyLocations directory
A well-equipped and popular outdoor space for families in Upper Hutt. On the edge of Te Awa Kairangi, Hutt River, Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt is a 40-minute drive north of Wellington.

Lord of the Rings filming location with gardens, native bush, and riverside settings.

Harcourt Park sits on in Upper Hutt, a 40-minute drive north of Wellington City. This established park gained international recognition as the Gardens of Isengard in The Lord of the Rings, where Gandalf and Saruman walked through manicured gardens. The location continues to attract local and commercial filming for its diverse settings and established infrastructure.

The park offers varied filming environments from formal botanical gardens with rhododendrons and azaleas to native bush areas. Open grass spaces, walking tracks, and the covered outdoor stage provide versatile backdrops. The nearby Hutt River adds water features, while established facilities include power access, toilets, and sheltered areas suitable for base operations.

Vehicle access is via Akatarawa Road with ample parking available at multiple entrances. The park's proximity to other Wellington region filming locations makes it ideal for multi-location shoots. The combination of manicured gardens, native bush, open spaces, and river access provides comprehensive filming options within one accessible location that has proven appeal to both international blockbusters and local commercial productions.

Location details

Jurisdiction Upper Hutt City Council
Permits required Yes, apply for a permit
Location descriptors Parks, forest parks, sporting grounds, communal spaces, multi-purpose spaces, playgrounds, recreational facilities, picnic areas, sports fields, outdoor theatre, exercise areas, paddling pool.
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Camp Wainuiomata screen location. Has several buildings and is surrounded by forest and bush.

Camp Wainuiomata

203 Coast Road, Wainuiomata, Wellington | 12Camp Wainuiomata spans 240 hectares and offers a range of accommodation options in a stunning setting not far from Wellington city.

The screen location of Mount Victoria Town Belt, with lush green native bush and panoramic views across Wellington.

Mount Victoria Town Belt

Alexandra Road, Mount Victoria, Wellington | 20Mount Victoria Town Belt is an extensive green space with views across Wellington city and the harbour. You’ll find a key location from Lord of the Rings here.

The Percy Scenic Reserve, features walking tracks, lawns, native bushes, gardens, and a large waterfall.

Percy Scenic Reserve

5 Dowse Drive, Maungaraki, Lower Hutt | 33Percy Scenic Reserve is 10 hectares of park and gardens offering an easy escape from the city. You’ll find a duck pond and a waterfall.

Ataturk Memorial Park

Ataturk Memorial Park

166 Breaker Bay Road, Breaker Bay, Wellington | 34Ataturk Memorial Park in Breaker Bay, Wellington has a moving memorial with excellent views of the harbour and open sea.

The former Mount Victoria Quarry site sits at the base of Wellington’s Town Belt and has views of the city. The Anne Frank memorial of three chairs is placed on the grass.

Mount Victoria Quarry

Ellice Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington | 35Mount Victoria Quarry is a former quarry site on Wellington’s Mount Victoria and has many advantages as a film location.

The green native bush of Belmont Regional Park, with streams and hills.

Belmont Regional Park

Maungaraki, Lower Hutt | 36Belmont Regional Park is a popular and extensive setting for recreational activities and protection of the natural environment.

The Wrights Hill Fortress screen location, located in Karori overlooking Wellington from an old gun emplacement. The location includes historic monuments, underground landmarks, and tunnels.

Wrights Hill Fortress — gun emplacement

Wrights Hill Road, Karori, Wellington | 64Wrights Hill Fortress in Karori is a mostly underground fortress built in the 1940s, during the Second World War to protect Wellington.

An expansive, coastal area of park and wilderness just north of the capital. With 180 hectares of open space and pockets of native bush, Whitireia Park is where people in Porirua come to roam on foot, bike, or hoof.

Whitireia Park

Whitireia Road, Tītahi Bay, Porirua | 83Whitireia Park is an expansive, coastal area of park and wilderness just north of Wellington. It is 180 hectares of open space and native bush.

A site of significant conservation value, the estuary is easily accessible in Porirua. A 30-minute drive from the capital, the Pāuatahanui Inlet is a large estuary surrounded by a wildlife reserve.

Pāuatahanui Inlet

Pāuatahanui, Porirua | 85Pāuatahanui Inlet is a site of significant conservation value, the large estuary is surrounded by a wildlife reserve and is easily accessible in Porirua.