Tom Newton (left) and Alex Pearce at Kaitoke Regional Park.

Kaitoke Regional Park is one of Greater Wellington’s most popular parks with around 170,000 visits last year. Elements recently spoke to visitors as they enjoyed a walk around the Loop Track on a spectacular Wellington summer’s day.

Richard Toon from Coventry, England, visited the park on his last trip to New Zealand 18 months ago. He and his wife regularly come to  New Zealand to see family.

“We liked the park so  much, we had to come back. It’s absolutely picturesque.”

Megan Lau, from Wyoming, USA, had just left a snowy, cold environment. “It’s very nice being here in the summer!”

The visitors were on a Wellington Rover Ring Tour, run by Wellington Rover. Park Ranger Steve Edwards says he has seen the number of international tourists visiting the park increase, due mainly to The Lord of the Rings.

“Visitors get a buzz seeing Rivendell. Some even come dressed as hobbits! But they’re stunned by the beauty they experience on the park’s short walks or strolling along the river.”

Locals love the park too. Alex Pearce and Tom Newton, both from Hutt city, checked out the new Loop Track interpretation, which tells the story of the rainforest and its different layers including the emerging trees, canopy, epiphytes and forest floor.

Alex says the new signs are clear and modern. “They’re appealing and integrate well with the surroundings.”

Steve says the park is one of the region’s finest lowland podocarp rainforests and the Loop Track is a showpiece for its diversity.

“We hope the new interpretation will make visitors aware that the forest is dynamic with lots of relationships and intrigue.”

Greater Wellington has spent the last three years improving signage throughout its regional park network, with updated maps, track and park information. New interpretation telling stories of the Rimutaka Rail Trail has also generated a lot of public interest and positive feedback.