Putangirua Pinnacles

Picked up another car this morning as my time here on the North Island is limited and there’s just so much to see. It was a bit of a Lord of the Rings day today as I headed to the Weka Cave where they create the props, costumes, special effects etc for an impressive number of films, including Lord of the Rings. Giant trolls guard the entrance and inside it’s like a cave of wonders full of familiar faces and objects.
Back into the car and I headed East through the stunning Tararua forest park, an endless range of triangular mountains swathed in deep greens. Different colours amongst the forest here but it may just be that Autumn is beginning it’s colourful dance through the treetops.
Stopped briefly at location for Rivendell thinking I may be able to visualise the magical Elvin world that was created here but it was rather taken over with children on a school trip. With uninvited memories of such things filling my brain I quickly made tracks and arrived at the Putangirua Pinnacles walk which takes you up a dry river bed to arrive at strange pillars of earth and grit formed by badlands erosion when ancient gravel deposits become exposed. Quite surreal and a little spooky and as you sit and listen you can hear the erosion going on all around you with pieces of grit gently tumbling down. Needless to say, this made it the perfect setting for the Road to Dimhault, where Aragorn must travel to claim loyalty from the Army of the Dead. Childishly excited to walk that very pathway. With a handy and unexpected sea view campsite at the start of the walk and a perfect sunset it has been a fantastic day.