Whether you want to go for a walk or a jog in the forest, hit the mountain biking trails, or ride a horse, there are facilities to meet your needs at the Redwoods Forest Whakarewarewa. There are dozens of walking, biking, and horse riding trails throughout the forest, all of which are kept separate. There’s also a Redwoods Treewalk, a series of boardwalks in the forest canopy. As well as being a recreational forest, Redwoods Forest Whakarewarewa is also a productive plantation forest, so visitors may see forestry operations underway.
Many travelers visit the forest independently. Some guided tours of the Rotorua area include a stop at the forest and the Redwoods Treewalk, along with other activities like visiting a geothermal park or seeing a Maori cultural show.
Redwoods Forest Whakarewarewa is about 3 miles (5 kilometers) southeast of central Rotorua, about 5 minutes by car or 20 minutes by bike. A public bus also passes nearby, although you’ll need to walk the last half-mile or so.
While the Redwoods Visitor Centre is open during normal business hours, the forest is open at all times. However, it’s recommended to only enter the main forest during daylight for safety reasons. The gates to the main parking lots open early in the morning. The Redwoods Treewalk offers evening walks, which are lit up.
For a different type of forest experience in Rotorua, check out the Dansey Road Scenic Reserve. This area has never been logged, so many of the trees here are around 1,000 years old. It’s home to a number of rare native birds and animals, and ongoing work is underway to clear the area of pests and predators.