Wellington is no sleepy layover town where you catch the ferry across the Cook Strait. I immediately fell in love with New Zealand’s capital. It’s one of those cities I could actually live in. Who knows, maybe some day… Before I got to Wellington, I spent a couple of very lonely days on Cape Palliser, so a little city life didn’t turn me off. I decided to stay for two full days.

I spent most of my days strolling the city along the beautiful bay, sitting on one of the side walks along the way with a good cup of strong coffee.; no visit to the city is complete without a walk along the waterfront.

Up from Mount Victoria Lookout you have get a panoramic view of city and harbour. You can watch the ferries sailing in through the harbour and aircraft taking off from Wellington Airport. It’s also one of the city’s most popular visitor sites. And for LOTR fans, it’s also quite a special place; some of the very first footage for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was filmed here. “We found a really good, spooky-looking road for the scene where the four Hobbits run and hide under the tree roots as the Black Rider approaches” Sir Peter Jackson says of the site on Mount Victoria, which was used in the famous ‘Get off the road’ scene. Unfortunately I came across this only after I left Wellington, so I have to return some day – which is on my agenda for 2015 anyway.

The view of Wellington from Mount Victoria Lookout.

Walking along the waterfront of Wellington is an absolute must for every visitor.

Paddling along the waterfront in a Kayak is also a good way to experience Wellington a different way.

Mount Victoria in Wellington is a well known spot for visitors and looks like a nice area to live in.

Downtown Wellington viewed from the top of Mount Victoria.

Street artist have done some amazing graffiti work in the centre of Wellington.

Exploring Downtown Wellington was a real highlight.

I love street art because it’s available for everyone at any time of the day.

Take off at the ferry terminal if the Interislander in Wellington.

The ferry ride across Cook Strait was a real highlight. Especially when reaching the South Island.

The Help Of The Army Of The Dead Is Needed.

The ‘Paths of the Dead‘ is a haunted pass through the White Mountains. The Army of the Dead accompanied Aragorn to Minas Tirith to defeat Sauron’s orcs, after which Aragorn declared their curse lifted. This scene was filmed at the Aorangi Forest Park where you can’t miss the sight of the weird rock formations of the Putangirua Pinnacles – an amazing collection of hoodoos.

An Unease Feeling.

Cape Palliser itself is an area only very few tourist visit, plus it’s only sparsely populated. During my entire trip, I’ve never felt uncomfortable about hiking by myself or being the only person for hundred of miles; my visit to the Putangirua Pinnacles thought me right! Let’s just say, a serial killer would have his fun down here…

Since I had to get to Wellington on the same day, I decided I would start my hike early in the morning. I packed up my backpack and camera equipment and drove the 13 kilometres along Cape Palliser Road until I reached the Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve. By the time I got there, it was 7.20 am. The camp-site was empty apart from one creepy looking truck and a camper van. From the time I got there, I had a weird feeling, yet my mind was set: I wanted to see these breath-taking pinnacles. The first ten minutes into the track where fine.

And then it hit me: No cell-phone reception, complete stillness, no one around me and that truck at the camp-site. Shivers went down my back and I started realizing, why Peter Jackson chose this place: The eerie stillness really gets to you! I tried focusing on the surroundings, but I couldn’t help to turn around every couple of metres to make sure no one was following me…

One Hour – And Lots Of Sweat – Later.

Finally, after sweating like crazy (due to my running), I reached the Putangirua Pinnacles. It was an impressive sight. And my unease feeling was gone all over sudden. I simply focused on the surroundings and absorbed every minute. Visiting these ancient Putangirua Pinnacles and absorbing the stillness of the ‘Middle-earth’ setting was breath-taking and super scary at the same time!

Length: Three routes lead to the Putangirua Pinnacles from the camp-site. Allow2 – 3 hours for a round trip. For a longer walk, with excellent views of Palliser Bay, allow 3 – 4 hours for a round trip.

The Puntangirua Pinnacles consist of a large number of hoodoos located in a valley of the Aorangi Ranges.

The Putangirua Pinnacles are a geological formation and one of New Zealand’s best examples of badlands erosion.

The Paths of the Dead sequence in the film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was filmed on in the Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve.

The majestic Putangirua Pinnacles were formed over the past 120.000 years by heavy rain which gradually eroded an ancient gravel deposit.

The Aorangi Forest Park and the surrounding area features some of New Zealand’s most striking landforms, including the Putangirua Pinnacles.

The ‘badlands erosion’ of Putangirua Pinnacles is a spectacular landscape feature attracting visitors from all over the world to the southern Wairarapa.

Just before flying across the Tasman Sea, I spent two weeks in and around Sydney, which pretty much meant “beach, more beach, and even more beach”. This would give me the rest that would be needed before completing treks like the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Milford Track or Rangitata Valley trip.

But, before I started my hiking adventures across New Zealand, Cathedral Cove (also known as Te Whanganui-A-Hei) was on my agenda – yes, I saw the movie Narnia. That large pinnacle that looked like the sail from a boat made quite the impression on me. So after two days in Auckland, I drove off to the Coromandel Peninsula.

I passed the beautiful Hot Water beach before arriving at the car park near Hahei beach. From there it was a nice walk down to the Cove. It took me 40 minutes, but I was pretty fast since I needed to continue to Matamata on the same day. It usually takes about 1 – 1 1/2 hours. The walk itself is nice and should be enjoyed, but due to heaps of people, I’d rather recommend to just get down to the Cove. Here you won’t be alone, since Cathedral Cove is one of the most visited places in the area. Yet is was still a real highlight and if I return there (which I will for sure), I’ll give myself more time to explore the region even more…

The striking rock is known as ‘Te Hoho’. It’s a large pinnacle at Cathedral Cove. Over centuries this has been sculpted by wind and water.

From Hahei Beach you can walk to Cathedral Cove, where a naturally formed archway are a real eye-catcher.

The famous Cathedral Cove. The cathedral-like arch makes quite an impression…

Cathedral Cove is one of the most picturesque spots on the Coromandel Peninsula.

A one-hour walking track leads through forest along the cliff top and then descends to the Cove.