Redwoods Treewalk® - a tree top walk amoungst the majestic and magical 75-metre-tall redwoods Located just a few minutes’ drive from central Rotorua, the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest is a 5600 ha enchanting wonderland home to the oldest exotic forests in New Zealand.
What began in 1901 as an experiment to test the suitability of different native and exotic forest species for commercial planting has become the heart and soul of Rotorua attracting 600,000 visitors each year.
Today, Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest is a destination for walking, running, mountain biking, horse riding and of course treewalking. It’s a serene place to unwind and rejuvenate your senses – where forest bathing literally takes you to new heights.
With the Redwoods i-SITE and Visitor Centre situated in the heart of the forest at the main entrance point, you will have a wealth of local knowledge and insider tips available to help you discover the fascinating history and vitality of the renowned Redwoods Forest.
There is a wealth of knowledge in the heart of the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest
Top 3 most popular walks in the Redwoods Forest
From day and night Treewalks to family friendly walks, there’s a well-planned network of short and long tracks to enjoy in the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest.
The shorter ground walks are wheelchair accessible (the Treewalk is not wheelchair accessible, only the starting spiral) and the ground walks are free of charge.
You can choose from 30 minutes to 3 hour walks – just pick and choose your favourite track and take in spectacularly scenery, thermal areas flourishing with exotic trees, native plants and birds along the way.
Kaitiakitanga – guardianship and conservation of the Redwoods Forest
As an ecotourism venture, Redwoods Treewalk has had kaitiakitanga – the guardianship and conservation of the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest at the heart of its operation from the very beginning.
Acting as guardians of the land and forest is a core value of Māori culture and strengthens the deep kinship between humans and the natural world – one that we fully embrace as a business and share with our manuhiri (guests).
Actively leading ongoing initiatives on social responsibility to help preserve and showcase the natural beauty of the forest, we are always striving to do better each and every day.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the trees of Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest
Fascinating history and enchanting surrounds, the Redwoods Forest is so much more than a walk in the woods. What originally started out as an experiment to test the suitability of native and exotic forest species for commercial planting in the early 1900’s turned out to a vibrant recreational hub for the local community as well as a must-visit destination for visitors from across the globe.
Of the 170 different tree species planted in the Whakarewarewa Forest as part of the original trials in the early 1900s, only a handful remain today – including the 6 hectare stand of Californian Redwoods known as the Redwood Memorial Grove which is protected from tree harvesting so you can always count on these gentle giants towering high above the forest floor to welcome you here.
Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest is a welcoming place for locals and visitors alike – full of history, vibrancy and undeniable, breathtaking beauty.
An ever changing environment of exotic towering trees and native bush, the Redwoods Forest is a renowned must-visit destination in Rotorua – where flights of fantasy in a real life wonderland transpire every day.
