The Rotorua Redwoods
Exploring The Redwoods
The Rotorua Redwoods is a hugely popular section of the Whakarewarewa Forest Park. Attracting more and more visitors, it is mostly used for walking, running and biking with seven tracks catering to all fitness levels and ages.
What this page covers
TIP - A constant state of change is the one thing I can say with any degree of certainty about the Whakarewarewa Forest Park. Track diversions due to flooding, tree felling of large blocks, or events taking place are common. If you are new to the forest planning on a longer walk, or bike ride, always check for diversions. This can be done at the Visitor Information Centres located at the Redwoods (Titokorangi Drive), Waipa Mountain Bike Hub (Waipa Road), and the Tawa Forest Hub (Tarawera Road).
About The Rotorua Redwoods
In the near vicinity is the Crown Research Institute SCION. It relates to all things forestry and is where scientists work on delivering 'research, technology and service solutions that strengthen New Zealand’s biobased economy.'
Rotorua Redwoods - Walk in the Redwoods Sculptures, now located beside the trail in the Redwoods.It's them we have to thank for the redwoods we have today.
The actual Redwood Grove only covers about 6 hectares (14 acres) of the 5,600 hectares of Whakarewarewa Forest. Some of the tracks expand out into this larger forest where they begin intersecting with mountain bike tracks.
Not wanting you to be disappointed, you need to know up front that the forest outside of the Redwoods area is 'european', meaning it's a working forest with trees being harvested periodically.
The landscape changes dramatically when that happens. It becomes unrecognisable.
Info About The Tracks
The tracks are all colour-coded so it's easy to find your way. Mind you, I'm always coming across bewildered looking people who have lost their way. The signage is improving but it takes time.
Heck, even I get lost. My daughter and I tried a shortcut a while back. Half an hour later we emerged about 2m from where we started. My girl was not impressed.
If this happens to you don't be afraid to ask anyone you meet for directions. Everyone is happy to help.
Most of the tracks are made up of a mixture of track or forestry roads. On the longer walks one minute you will be on a narrow track, then a road, then criss-crossing all over the place.
As you wander, storybook views appear or you may get a whiff of rich, pungent soil - or sulphur. Then again, a good stiff climb will have you breaking free of the trees and having Rotorua spread out in front of you.. magic.
Best Time Of Day To Go
For me this would have to be either early morning, as in around 7am or earlier in summer or, late afternoon. At those times I know I have the place mostly to myself.
It can get like grand central station out there - well, not quite that bad. Seeing at least ten people while on a walk would seem super busy.
That doesn't include tour groups that go through The Redwood Memorial Grove Track. There's not too many of them thank goodness.
Redwood Memorial Grove Track
Distance 2km (1.2mi)
Time 30mins
Starting point for visitors to Rotorua RedwoodsThis walk is so, so pretty and it's the main one that visitors take. The terrain is undulating but runners still manage to train while pushing prams and, there are no bikes on this trail.
The walk is basically set out in a rectangular fashion with what we call a top and bottom track.
If you have children with you this is the best track to take them on. My friends and I have had kiddies here over the years and without fail they start saying, "Are we there yet?" - before we're even half-way.
If you want to keep them entertained though, pick up a free Junior Explorer Map from the Gift Shop. That will keep them busy. There's a reward at the end if they manage to chase down the clues.
Mokopuna Track 3.6km (2.2mi)
This is another good trail for the family for both walking or biking as it's a dual purpose track. You get a lot of parents pushing prams, runners, and parents out on bikes with their children. It tends to incorporate winding and hilly sections. Good practice for more advanced mountain bike trails.
Waitawa Track
Distance 3.4km (2.1mi)
Time 1hr
This track incorporates most of the Redwood Track but the rectangle is extended a bit further.
Quarry Track
Distance 4.8km (2.9mi)
Time 1hr 30min
Quarry Track on the way down to the QuarryYou will be doing some huffing and puffing on this track with stairs thrown into the mix. A lookout partway up takes in a panoramic view of Rotorua. As you climb higher more views open up to different parts of the city. Once you get to the topmost part of the track onto Tokorangi Pa Road you can either turn around and go back down, or go right which will take you down the road to Nursery Hill and back to the Visitor Centre.
It becomes very quiet and peaceful the higher you go.
Pohaturoa Track
Distance 7.5km (4.6mi)
Time 2hrs
Pohaturoa Track view over Whakarewarewa Thermal ReserveThis is a great walk that takes in some varying terrain. In and out through trees, tracks and forestry roads.
There is a high point with fabulous views over Rotorua and Whakarewarewa (Te Puia and the Pohutu Geyer) as well as the Whaka Village itself.
Carry on over the hill and there is a little branch off to the left where you are suddenly looking out over the Waipa Sawmill and hills and more hills covered in radiata pine.
During this walk there is a little wooden bridge to cross over once back on flatter ground. Sometimes when we have had enough rain it gets covered in water - enough to go above my knees. It's not running water, just runoff water from the hills so is safe to cross.
Tokorangi Pa Track
Distance 11.5km (7.1mi)
Time 3hr 30min
Felling in the Whakarewarewa Forest, not the Rotorua RedwoodsThis one is a bit of a huffer and puffer. It takes me about 40min at a good pace to get to the top with it being mostly uphill.
I usually have to work up to tackling this walk as it requires a good level of fitness.
Whakarewarewa Circuit
Distance 34km (21mi)
Time 8hrs
I haven't completed this circuit although I have done different parts of it at different times. I would tend to think it is quite challenging and only for serious hikers.
Silly friends of mine have done it - without training - and ended up crippled for quite a few days afterwards.
There are some gorgeous parts to this track. It goes past both the Blue Lake (Tikitapu) and the Green Lake (Rotokakahi) with stunning views if you strike the right time.
One minute you're way up high and then down really low. There are a lot of ups and downs with this walk.
Redwoods Treewalk, Redwoods Nightlights, & Altitude Guided Tour
The Redwoods Daytime Treewalk, Redwoods Nightlights, and Altitude Guided Tour are new additions to what's on offer in the Redwoods. Walking up high above the forest floor is something everyone seems to like. Throw in light shows at night and it gets better still. The activities all attract a charge.
The Treewalk and Redwoods Nightlights is a popular family activity, and the Altitude Guided Tour is more applicable to those more daring.
All the activities utilise swing bridges at varying heights depending on what you're doing. The daytime Treewalk and Nightlights walk take place on the same set of swing bridges which have a maximum height of 20m. The Altitude Tour involves the addition of flying foxes, spirals and it goes to a height of 25M. It's located further into the forest.
Dog Walking Park
Yes, there's even a place where you can let your dog run free of a leash. Located on the opposite side of the road to the Redwoods many locals take their dog/dogs for their daily constitutional. And boy, those dogs know, they get so excited and take off at a rip-roaring pace, in and out of the trees, sniffing and marking everywhere. There's even a place where they get to have a swim in the Puarenga Stream.
Tip: I've been told it pays not to take puppies to this dog park until they're fully vaccinated against Canine Parvo-virus. Apparently, it has a reputation as one of the worst places to pick it up due to certain people not vaccinating their dogs.
Dogs can be taken on the trails on the Redwood side of the road but need to be on a leash.
Food & Drink
Rotorua Redwoods gift shop & info centerFor starters, many people take picnics to the Rotorua Redwoods. A number of picnic tables are located outside the visitor information building. Inside, you can purchase coffee, tea, etc., and muffins and other snack foods.
Further past the visitor centre is Eastwood Cafe. You'll find a good selection of cabinet food or meals, and you can take your dogs along too. They've even got doggie treats for them.
There is a good bakery and also a cafe on Tarawera Rd (see the map below). They are located by the major roundabout you take to get to the forest turnoff.
Also located right next to the roundabout is the Redwood Centre, opposite the bakery and cafe. Here you will find Burger Fuel, Best Sushi, a fresh vege shop, Te Arawa Fish & Chips, the Coffee Club cafe, a pharmacy, gym, hairdresser and still a few more shops to fill.
Toilets
Toilets at the RedwoodsA brand new lot of toilets opened at the Redwoods on August 6th 2013. Different aren't they? Combining art that features New Zealand's endangered birds gives rise to an educational component that everyone can enjoy.
The steel surrounds are weathered to blend into the environment but somehow I don't think you will miss seeing them.
Can you pick out the native birds?Location & Visitor Centre
The Rotorua Redwoods are located on Titokorangi Drive (formerly Long Mile Rd) (see map below) You will see why it's called the Redwoods when you get here. Hard to believe but it's only minutes away from the city center.
About half-way down Long Mile Rd there is a carpark on the left. This is where you will find the Redwoods Gift Shop & Visitor Center (info center) and, most important, toilets.
This point is where all six of the marked walking/running tracks leave from.
The little shop is where you can get all the track information relating to current closures/safety etc.
They also sell a comprehensive Recreation Guide (funds raised go towards track maintenance) with info/maps/photos on walking, mountainbiking, and horse trekking. Yes, they all take place here.
You might want to buy a Manky (navigational map and hanky combined). They are very cool. There is mountain bike info on one side and walking on the other. Stuff it in your pocket, wipe your face or glasses - handy huh?
Use the Manky in combination with the Recreational Guide and you're set.
There are orienteering maps which you may want to have a go at too. The maps cater to different levels of expertise.
This Google Map shows where the Redwoods are in relation to the city and also Gilles Bakery.
View Directions to the Rotorua Redwoods, Tarawera Rd and Long Mile Rd in a larger map
Sources used
http://www.scionresearch.com/general/about-us
Also of interest in the general area:
- Home
- See & Do For Free
- Rotorua Redwoods
NZ Travel Planning Resources
Rotorua Travel Planning Quicklinks
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By Karen Shelford
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