Redwood Forest & Treewalk

About | Redwood Forest

The Redwood Forest in Rotorua is one of Rotorua’s must-do activities. The Redwoods is a special place. Walk through these majestic trees and you’ll know what I mean. Do the treetop walk, day or night. Or bring your walking shoes or mountain bike and get amongst it.

If you haven’t been here before, you’ll most probably be heading to the Redwoods i-SITE and Visitor Centre first. Here you can get all of your questions about the forest answered. Originally a forestry information centre in 1978, this is now used as the visitor centre. Stock up on snacks for your adventure, grab a map and go. There are toilets here, too.

There are lots of walking and bike tracks through the forest and there’s something for everyone. Even just a short wander through these magnificent and towering Californian Coastal Redwoods is worthwhile. If you’re looking for something longer, there are all sorts of tracks that take you through the lovely redwood forest, past lakes and the countryside, some with amazing views of Rotorua city. Do drop in at the information centre if you have any questions or you just need help deciding what track is the best one for you.

You can get a free walking tracks map from the information centre. For biking tracks, the information centre has those, too. One printed on paper and another on a hanky, sounds funny but it doesn’t get wrinkly, can be stuffed into a pocket and could be useful for those who are returning a lot. Both biking track maps cost with the money going towards the track maintenance and facilities within the forest.

Send the kids on a fun and educational journey along the Redwood Memorial Grove Track after picking up a Junior Explorer worksheet (aimed for ages 6 – 12 years old) from The Redwoods Gift Shop & Visitor Centre. As they walk along the track they can find the answers to the questions on the worksheet, then hand the worksheet in for a Junior Explorer Reward!

Find a fun pump track on the edge of the Redwood Forest, along Long Mile Road.

Walking Track Map

Download the Whakarewarewa Forest Walking Track map.

Redwoods Treetop Walk

Walk through these giant Redwood trees, 9 – 20 meters up in the air. Here you’ll gain a really cool and different perspective and be able to enjoy stunning views of the forest. It’s a truly majestic and magical place, and getting up high makes it even more special. The redwood forest is nearly 120 years old and made up of Californian Coastal Redwoods and Douglas Firs.

Dating back to 1901, the forest started as an experiment to see how exotic species would grow and is now a very popular tourist destination for its mountain biking and walking tracks with the tree walk being added in 2016.

The vision came from a tourist, Alex Schmid, who, while visiting the forest, dreamed of creating a new perspective for others to enjoy. He was granted approval, providing he didn’t harm the trees. What resulted was a ‘living’ walkway that used uniquely constructed slings instead of bolts and were able to grow with the tree. Californian Redwoods are the tallest growing trees in the world, easily reaching heights of up to 90 metres, though the tallest in the Redwood Forest in Rotorua is 75 metres.

Go at your own pace on this unguided tour and stop at each platform to read and take in the information boards to read up more about forestry and local stories. The suspension bridges will thrill and delight as they wobble this way and that – don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights. Instead, look up and admire these truly magnificent trees, some towering above at 75 meters tall.

When you come back down to earth, make sure you stop and take in the giant redwood ring. Measuring at 3.5 metres wide and being over 2,000 years old, take a moment to think just how far it dates back in time. Historical milestones are marked, find its ancient pith which dates all the way back to the birth of Christ. It’s pretty incredible.

Come back at night and you’ll see the place completely transformed and lit up. A number of 2.5m lanterns and other lighting displays are hung throughout the forest to bring you a nighttime experience you won’t forget. It’s a completely different feeling and some say it’s even better than at day. Buy a combo deal and experience them both for yourself.

The Redwoods Treewalk will really amaze. Do the walk during the day to enjoy the nature and beauty of this place or go at night to see the forest lit up. Grab your tickets at the Redwoods i-SITE and Visitor Centre or online.

Redwoods Treetop Walk (cont.)

Who can do it: little ones will need to be able to walk the entire course unassisted to do this. This means no carriers, prams or holding them. They’ll also need to be okay with the height and walking across suspension bridges. Young toddlers from just 1.5 years old have done this all the way to elderly as old as 97. They do have a stroller available to use for infants.

When can we do it: this can be done in all weather. Find shade under the blazing sun or watch the forest come to life with a bit of rain.

The specs: 700 metres long. 28 suspension bridges going across 27 platforms. 9 – 20 metres above the forest floor.

Time: 30 – 40 minutes depending on how long you stop to enjoy the sights and read the information boards.

Open: daily from 9am until late.