LOTR - Lower Hutt

Scenes involving the fortress of Minas Tirith, Isengard, Minas Morgul and Helm's Deep were shot on location in Lower Hutt - a suburb just north of Wellington. The Dry Creek Quarry on Hayward's Hill Road was used as the setting for Helm's Deep - the scene of The Two Towers' climactic battle. This fortification was the largest and most detailed set from The Lord of the Rings. The stunning set includes details right down to paving stones and statues. Filming of the Helm's Deep scenes took place at night over several weeks in an arduous schedule that exhausted actors and crew.

Helms Deep