Nature venue
Putangirua Pinnacles
17 locals recommend
Tips from locals
Emma
December 23, 2020
Great walking opportunities, scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed here
Louise
September 28, 2022
Around seven million years ago, the Aorangi Range was an island. As the mountains eroded, scree and gravel were washed down to the coast, where they formed a sedimentary layer. Over the past 120,000 years, the Putangirua Stream has exposed this ancient layer of gravel to the erosive forces of rain and floods. Some of the sediments stayed concreted together, while others washed away. The result is the Putangirua Pinnacles 'an amazing collection of hoodoos'. This outlandish place was used as a filming location for the 'Paths of the Dead' scene in the Return of the King, the third movie in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Three routes lead to the Putangirua Pinnacles or the lookout and all start from the streambed. From here, you can take the loop track junction and on to the lookout above the Pinnacles. Continue uphill for a longer walk and spectacular views of Palliser Bay and Lake Onoke. Alternative routes For a more direct route to the lookout, walk up the streambed to the base of the Pinnacles and turn left onto the loop track. This track climbs steeply to the lookout and meets up with the bush walk. Getting there This walk is in Aorangi Forest Park. It starts in Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve, 13 km along Cape Palliser Road from the Lake Ferry turn-off, about one hour’s drive from Martinborough.
Around seven million years ago, the Aorangi Range was an island. As the mountains eroded, scree and gravel were washed down to the coast, where they formed a sedimentary layer. Over the past 120,000 years, the Putangirua Stream has exposed this ancient layer of gravel to the erosive forces of rain…
Sandra
May 23, 2021
2-4 hour walking/tramping depending on route.
Ondy
May 26, 2020
The Putangirua Pinnacles near Cape Palliser are some of the most amazing rock formations you will ever see. Put on your sturdy walking shoes and do a day trip, or bring the family camping here. Doing this walk early morning is best for the affect of the early sunshine coming through the rock formations and generally avoiding the heat of the day on this walk.
Tania And Andy
March 6, 2020
This is an amazing day trip to see towering rock structures.
Location
Wairarapa, Wellington