Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024

Day 6-Whakarewarewa Forest, Roturua - 4/16/2024

 Whakarewarewa Forest, also known as The Redwoods, is a famous forest located just outside Rotorua on the North Island of New Zealand. The forest is most famous for its towering California redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), which were planted in 1901 as part of an experimental forestry program. Though redwoods are native to the United States, they’ve thrived in Rotorua’s geothermal environment and can grow over 2,296 ft. tall here.

Parking lot before entering the Whakarewarewa Forest.  The forest is also a place where people can enjoy and explore the forest environment through various recreational activities such as biking Treewalk with sits at 65 ft. above the ground floor.  Here you can see one of the 28 suspension bridges that traverse between 27 majestic 117-year-old Redwood Trees.

The treewalk has been specifically designed and constructed to preserve the trees, plants, and the surrounding natural environment by using a uniquely constructed New Zealand-first technologically designed sling, which is suspended from the Redwood trees.

The redwood trunk is really big

At the entrance to Whakarewarewa Forest stand three large wooden statues. These towering figures are traditional Māori carvings, known as pou, which serve as guardians and storytellers, embodying the rich cultural heritage of the area.

The entrance of the forest.

There are many trails in the forest but we are taking the easy Tahi and Dipper trail that is easy and fairly short (30/40 minutes walk).

 In addition to redwoods, the forest contains a number of other exotic species introduced during the original forestry experiments.

Below the majestic Redwood are many types of ferns.

The black tree fern, which grows to be the largest local arboreal fern at a maximum of 66 ft. in height

You can see here how tall the ferns with me standing below them.

People getting ready to the Treewalk.

The Treewalk is an elevated walkway featuring 28 suspension bridges connecting 27 platforms, suspended up to 66 ft. above the forest floor. Designed to be eco-friendly, it provides a bird’s-eye view of the majestic redwoods and the lush forest below. The walk takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes to complete and is suitable for all ages who can walk unaided.

You can see the treewalk trail above the trees.

People walking above the trees.  It must be super cool to have a great view of the forest from above.

Beside the redwood trees, the forest contains a number of other exotic species introduced during the original forestry experiments. The most successful of these is radiata pine, which makes up the majority of the greater Whakarewarewa State Forest.

Redwood tree trunks.

It is so nice to walk the forest.

This area is very dense with lots of ferns.

The ferns looks like umbrellas to me.

Moss growing on tree's trunk.

We are so small amongst these giants trees.

How pretty is this?

We are now walking back to the parking lot.

This is a map of the Redwoods tree walk.

We are now done we our visit and we are leaving the area...

NEXT... Orakei Korado, Geothermal park