Rivendell — Local services in North Island

This is an atmospheric Lord of the Rings filming location, but prepare to use your imagination! Here’s detail!

Rivendell appears in every Lord of the Rings film (although primarily in the first, ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’).

Please note: While Rivendell also appears in the first Hobbit film, ‘An Unexpected Journey’, that was a ‘virtual’ Rivendell - created using a mixture of indoor sets and CGI. Kaitoke wasn’t used at all.

Construction of Kaitoke’s ‘physical’ Rivendell began in 1999. The set was built around and between Kaitoke’s trees. This avoided clearing the trees, and deliberately implied a co-existence, or symbiosis, between Elvish architecture and the natural world. See ‘Photo 2’ for how Kaitoke appeared during construction.

After filming, the physical set was entirely removed. Nothing remains of the original set, except a still, calming ambience. See ‘Photo 1’ for how Kaitoke appears today.

However, two later additions to Kaitoke help to evoke Rivendell to this day.

First, information about filming is provided on wooden pillars and boards around the park. These describe where the set once stood, largely with reference to the aforementioned trees, which remain.

Second, an Elvish gate - similar to that which the Fellowship depart Rivendell through, albeit smaller than the original prop - has added by local film tour company. They donated it in homage to the fans of Lord of the Rings. It is a nice touch, and a good photo spot.

In summary, this is an enjoyable place to visit. If you tune into the quiet in Kaitoke and close your eyes, you can still feel the calm of Rivendell that we...

A good visit if you know what to expect. What you can expect is a walk through a forest with some nice ambiance. As for the connection to the Lord of the Rings, there are some things but do no expect a full movie set like Hobbiton.

What you get is a nice walk through the place where some of the scenes in Rivendell were filmed, there are some billboards with some interesting information that will guide you aswell. The only prop from the movies is a replica of the Arch through which the fellowship left for Mordor.

Overall a nice visit that includes a pleasant walk through nature and some interesting tidbits about the movie. Worth visiting if you like the movies and know what to expect...

A beautiful place amongst all the trees. The Trek's vary from beginner to more advance excusions. All of which showcases the majesty of New Zealand bush from rainforest to near Alpine landscapes. Be prepared for all weather, cause you may experience all four seasons in one hour. The weather can change that quick. The movie sets are mostly gone (There is the Rivendell archway), but there are ornate posts of each part of the movies. The place is popular for camping so book in advance is necessary, particularly from October...