Kaitoke Regional Park
Only 45 minutes north of Wellington City, the spectacular Kaitoke Regional Park covers 2860 hectares in the foothills of the Tararua Ranges. Steep, bush-clad hills, the Hutt River gorge and centuries-old rata, rimu and beech forest feature in this magnificent natural setting.
Swim in tranquil river pools, or explore beautiful bush clad tracks, some suitable for wheelchairs. Walk the Ridge Track for wonderful views of the Upper Hutt valley, or visit the magical spot used as a set for Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Nearly half of Wellington's water is drawn from the Hutt River within Kaitoke Regional Park
- How to get there
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Kaitoke Regional Park is accessible by private vehicle and public transport
- Barbecues and picnics
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Kaitoke is well known for its beautiful picnic areas, on the river terraces and near the bush edges at the Pakuratahi entrance
- Camping at Kaitoke
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Enjoy camping on the flat grassy river terraces at the Pakuratahi entrance. Feel free to put up your tent or park your campervan where you choose within the designated camping area
- Celebrate Life Totara Grove
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Mark a special occasion in your life
- Environment
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Kaitoke Regional Park is an area of unspoilt treasure
- Events
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With its superb temperate rainforest and grassy clearings, Kaitoke Regional Park is ideal for nature-based events, group walks or picnics
- Education
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The best place to study and learn about ecosystems, our place in the natural world and how we affect nature is outdoors
- Filming
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The easy access and pristine natural surroundings of Kaitoke Regional Park have made it a sought after site for movies large and small
- Horse riding
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With the 2007 opening of the Kaitoke Hill underpass connecting Kaitoke Regional Park to the Pakuratahi Forest, there are now tracks available for public horseriding at Te Marua
- Hunting
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Greater Wellington issues hunting permits for up to six months for hunting in Kaitoke Regional Park
- Park management plan
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All regional parks have management plans - agreements between Greater Wellington and the community about how the park will be managed.
- Millennium Totara Grove
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Greater Wellington Regional Council planted this Totara Grove as part of its Arbor Day 2000 celebrations
- Mountain biking
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Mountain biking is permitted only in the Kaitoke Hill Plantation area of the park
- Rafting and kayaking
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The undisturbed Hutt River Gorge between Pakuratahi Forks and Te Marua, with its exceptional water quality, pristine indigenous forest, large boulders and sides of sheer bedrock, is popular for whitewater rafting and kayaking
- Rivendell
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The spot now known as Rivendell at Kaitoke Regional Park was a significant location site for the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy
- Walking
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Thanks to Kaitoke's role in providing water to Wellington, there are walks for all ages and levels of ability at the park
- Contact the ranger
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Steve Edwards