Walk through the most spectacular ancient pine forest in NZ
Time: 3.5 hours (Loop track)
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Start: Whirinaki Forest Park is 90 km south-east of Rotorua, and reached via Minginui Road, off Te Whaiti Road (old SH 38), then via Old Te Whaiti Road and River Road to the River Road car park. Get Google Maps Directions
The Whirinaki Forest Walk takes in some of the most spectacular ancient podocarp forest New Zealand has to offer. The terrain varies from gentle river flats to narrow gorges and heavily dissected uplands. Complete the picture with waterfalls and dense stands of Rimu, Totara, Kahikatea, Matai and Miro trees.
In short this walk is like no other place on earth. Bird life is abundant including the rare Kaka and red and yellow crested Kakariki. Sir David Bellamy fought for the rights to stop logging this forest and won back in the 1980’s. He called it a dinosaur forest worthy of saving.
