Whirirnaki Forest

Whirirnaki Forest is one of the last prehistoric rainforests in the world and is home to ancient trees and native bird tracks in the Northland region. There is 155 km of tramping and cycling tracks suitable for all ages. There are trees that tower up to 205 meters such as the kahikatea, totara, rimu, miro, and matai trees. The forest is cone-bearing (podocarp) and some trees are over 1000 years old it is often referred to as a ‘dinosaur park.’

Whirirnaki Forest is a 2-hour drive from Tarunga and 1.5-hour drive from Whatakane. If you are interested in bird spotting, look out for North Island Brown Kiwi, whio (blue duck), yellow and red crowned kakariki, North Island kaka, and the endangered New Zealand falcon. You can stay here overnight on the Whirinaki Track Walk and enjoy the beauty of the forest in the night. The Whirinaki Waterfall Loop track is an easy loop that takes about 40 minutes and leads to a gorgeous waterfall. The H-Tree Track is 2.2km and great for kids as it includes a Treasure Map to discover the treasures of the forest. If you are looking for adventure, the grade 3 Moerangi Mountain Bike is a great way to test your skills.