Putangirua Pinnacles

Created at: 2026-02-02

The Pinnacles track can be done as a day trip from Wellington (2 hours drive each way). There are two options of tracks:

  1. The 4-hour lookout loop. There is a track into the bush that starts just after the car park.
  2. 40 min each way to the Pinnacles along the (dry) river bank. There is no track here, you just go along the river.

One fun fact about this place is that it is where the Dimholt Road scene from Lord of the Rings was recorded.

Photos

View of the remutaka lookout (on my way to the pinnacles)

rimutaka_view.png

You can camp here, and this is the view from the car park:

car_park_view.png

In more detail:

car_park_river.png

On a clear day you can see the South Island. With the contrast of the sunset the view becomes even clearer.

sunset.png

Once you start going to the lookout loop track (which I didn't finish) you'll see good spots to admire the view:

view_along_lookout.png

And if you decide to go up the river bank, the walk is mostly on rocky ground:

view_along_river_bank.png

And it takes about 40 min to reach the final view:

final_view.png