Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua

The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest is a towering grove of Californian coastal redwoods and mixed forest just a few minutes' drive from central Rotorua. Wide, well-formed trails wind between 70-metre giants, ferns and native undergrowth, with separate networks for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. Most people treat it as a free half-day or sunset escape — walking among the trunks, grabbing photos and optionally adding the paid Redwoods Treewalk experience of elevated swing bridges and night lights.

• Free access to the Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest ground-level walking tracks and general forest area.
• Use of a range of waymarked walking tracks, from short 30—40 minute loops like the Redwood Memorial Grove Track to longer circuits of 1—3 hours.
• Access to extensive mountain bike and horse-riding networks (with your own gear), plus shared-use forestry roads — all clearly signed for different users.
• Public facilities at the main Redwoods visitor area, including toilets, information boards, maps for sale and a small visitor centre/gift shop.
• Car parking near the main entrance and trailheads (conditions and any parking rules may change — check local signage on arrival).
• NOT included: bike hire, guided tours, the elevated Redwoods Treewalk/Nightlights experience, shuttle services, paid parking (if introduced), or any food and drinks from nearby cafés or trucks.

• Ideal for travellers who enjoy forest walks, nature and photography rather than busy, built-up attractions.
• Great for couples, families, solo travellers and small groups who want an easy-to-reach green escape from Rotorua's geothermal sights.
• Suitable for most fitness levels if you choose the shorter, flatter loops; more demanding options exist for keen walkers and mountain bikers.
• Works well for budget-conscious visitors — the forest itself is free to enter, and you can spend as long or as little time as you like.
• Less suitable if you dislike the outdoors, are very sensitive to tree pollen or forest smells, or need fully paved, urban-style paths everywhere.

• Drive or shuttle out from central Rotorua to the Redwoods visitor area, park up and grab a track map or photo of the trail boards.
• Choose a loop that suits your time and fitness — for example, a short Memorial Grove circuit under the tallest redwoods, or a longer forest and lookout walk.
• Follow the marked trail through groves of redwoods, native understory and clearings, stopping often to look up at the trunks, take photos and enjoy the cool forest air.
• Detour to viewpoints or small bridges where you can see the scale of the trees and the structure of the working forest, while keeping an eye out for mountain bikers on shared sections.
• If you decide to, head back to the base area and buy a ticket for the Redwoods Treewalk — a separate elevated walkway that takes you along suspension bridges between the trees, by day and/or under lanterns at night.
• Finish with a rest at a picnic table or on a bench near the car park, then head back to Rotorua for geothermal sights, lake views or a soak in a hot pool.

• Tickets / price (starts from): entry to the forest walking tracks is free — you don't pay to wander at ground level. Realistically, you might budget 0—40 NZD per person if you add coffee, snacks, parking donations or optional extras like the elevated Redwoods Treewalk, where standard adult day/night general admission is currently around 42 NZD per adult.
• Track use: obey all forest signage — stick to walker-only tracks on foot, bike-only trails on bikes, and respect any closures or diversions due to forestry work or storm damage.
• Safety: wear proper walking shoes; some tracks can be muddy, rooty or slippery after rain. Keep left on shared paths and watch for fast-moving mountain bikes on multi-use sections and roads.
• Fire & rubbish: never light fires in the forest and pack out all your rubbish — Redwoods is both a recreation area and a working forest, so fire risk is taken seriously.
• Opening & access: the forest itself is generally accessible daily, year-round, but certain tracks or areas may close temporarily for maintenance or logging operations.
• Night visits: if you are not doing the official Nightlights walkway and decide to walk at dusk/dark on ground trails, bring a torch and be extra cautious — trails are largely unlit.

• Location: the Redwoods sit in Whakarewarewa Forest just south of central Rotorua, only a short drive from town and often combined with Te Puia, Whakarewarewa Village or local lakes in one day.
• Time needed: allow 1.5—3 hours for a relaxed forest walk and photos; add another 40—90 minutes if you book the elevated Treewalk as well.
• Best timing: early morning or late afternoon gives softer light and cooler air; evenings can be especially atmospheric, and the lit Nightlights Treewalk (if you pay for it) adds a completely different feel.
• Services: bike-hire operators and guided tour companies in Rotorua often offer Redwoods packages if you want structured riding or walking experiences.
• Dogs & horses: some areas allow dogs on leads and horse riding on specific trails — always check current rules so you stay on the correct routes and avoid conflicts with other users.

Budget 0 NZD for the forest itself and up to 40+ NZD per person if you add coffee, bike hire or a paid elevated Treewalk (~42 NZD adult), and plan 1.5—3+ hours at Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest — a free, towering redwood forest just outside Rotorua where you wander shaded trails under 70-metre trees, share paths with mountain bikers and, if you choose, walk high among the canopy on a separate ticketed Treewalk.