Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest
Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua: Address, Phone Number, Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest Reviews: 4.5/5
Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest
Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest
4.5
About
If you love the outdoors this area is for you! Escape into the beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest, one of Rotorua’s most spectacular natural assets. Famous for its magnificent stands of towering Californian Coastal Redwoods it is just five minutes drive from the city centre. Here you can experience some of the finest walking and mountain bike trails in the world. Not to mention taking in superb panoramic views of Rotorua City, Lake and surrounding district. Entry to the forest, tracks and Gift Shop & Visitor Centre is FREE. There is lots of parking and toilet facilities available. Gates open at 5.30am and close late. Maps and information is available at the Redwoods I-Site and Visitor Centre. Don't forget to also check out the Redwoods Treewalk. This is available at the Redwoods and provides an alternative way to experience the Redwoods both during the day and at night. It is a paid attraction see their listing for more details.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
221 within 5 kms

Sequoia Eatery Rotorua
194
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Fusion

BurgerFuel Redwood Centre
64
0.4 km$ • Quick Bites • Fast food • Healthy

Giovanni's
319
0.8 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean

Good Eastern Taphouse
95
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pub • Vegetarian Friendly

Pita Pit Rotorua Redwoods
49
0.4 km$ • Fast food • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Mistress of Cakes
25
0.4 km$ • Bakeries • Cafe

Don Kebab
70
0.4 km$ • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options • Halal

House of Spice
139
0.9 km$$ - $$$ • Indian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

The Coffee Club
85
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly

Vi's Teahouse
16
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe
Attractions
41 within 10 kms

Redwoods i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
59
0.9 kmVisitor Centres

Te Papaiouru Marae
7
0.7 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Tamaki Māori Village
5,437
2.6 kmHistoric Sites

Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village
2,688
2.3 kmHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Fancy Meow Cat Cafe
495
3.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Te Puia
5,680
2.9 kmHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Rotorua i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
347
2.9 kmVisitor Centres

Government Gardens
1,180
2.5 kmHistoric Sites • Gardens

New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute
168
2.9 kmArt Galleries

St. Faith's Anglican Church
293
3.7 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
5,147 reviews
Excellent
3,633
Very good
1,293
Average
189
Poor
20
Terrible
12
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia10,487 contributions
Apr. 2022
These enormous trees are examples of the world's tallest living plants. They occur naturally in the Pacific north-west of the United States. You can see them in Yosemite National Park, in northern California. These Redwoods grow near Rotorua, in the centre of New Zealand's North Island. Although these Redwoods are hundreds of years old, they are still babies. In their natural environment, they can grow for 2,000 years.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Robyn G
Raglan, New Zealand90 contributions
May 2022
The forest has a such a nice feeling! I did the most basic walk, the 30 minute Redwood Memorial Grove track. The redwoods are amazingly tall and they're joined by native New Zealand plants. There was even a steaming pond as a reminder that you're in Rotorua. It's an easy enough walk and is a great way to be at one with nature. It's a popular place with both tourists and locals, with the result that it never feels like you're alone in the bush. Highly recommended!
Written 15 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
travelisbliss22
Dunedin, New Zealand284 contributions
May 2022
I loved walking around two of the tracks in this area. The walks are all clearly marked and have clear details of distance and expected time to walk. It really is a special, magical place to visit!
Written 8 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Christopher f
Taupo District, New Zealand55 contributions
May 2022
Awesome walks - but allow more time than the signs say! We went from September October 2021 and again yesterday.
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rebecca
Hawera, New Zealand24 contributions
Apr. 2022
We had a great time in the morning on a slightly wet morning, and again at dusk/night. Our first time we had a blast walking amongst the trees and learning along the way.
Written 30 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
GinaDig
166 contributions
Apr. 2022 • Family
A truly amazing area to explore, Clearly well used & loved by the locals & a great space to explore as a visitor.
Worth bringing the bikes!!
Worth bringing the bikes!!
Written 24 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jamoz23
Brisbane, Australia371 contributions
Feb. 2022
If you have a head for heights this was a pleasant walk through the trees.
We are going back tonight to do the night walk as we bought the ticket that covers both.
NIGHTWALK was worth doing too.
We are going back tonight to do the night walk as we bought the ticket that covers both.
NIGHTWALK was worth doing too.
Written 14 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Elaine S
Whakatane, New Zealand10 contributions
Mar. 2022
The Redwoods are amazing for walkers or bike riders. Awesome to enjoy nature. hire a mountain bike or take your own!
Written 15 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Christopher f
Taupo District, New Zealand55 contributions
Oct. 2021 • Couples
Very relaxing amongst the trees - be aware if you are a photographer you will need a tripod or high ISO settings.
Written 31 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia10,487 contributions
Nov. 2021
These trees are a national treasure. The Redwoods originate from nothern California; they are said to the world's tallest living plants; You can see them in the United States. Yosemite National Park is their native habitat. The Redwoods have been transplanted to New Zealand. The trek through the New Zealand redwoods is a is a unique experience. The Redwood Forest is not far from Rotorua
Written 18 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bedika Thapa
Auckland, New Zealand
Can we use cash to get enter for night view or only card is applicable may I know please ?
RedwoodsTreewalkNZ
Rotorua, New Zealand
Kia Ora, the Redwoods i-SITE is the ticket seller onsite and accepts cash and cards. See you in the forest!
Kip Mather (Admin Manager, Redwoods Treewalk)
Hi there,
Can we walk our dog on a lead here?thanks 😊
RedwoodsTreewalkNZ
Rotorua, New Zealand
Kia Ora, Dominique! Unfortunately, dogs aren't permitted on the Treewalk. However, there are multiple ground walks available and the dog park is located near the entrance, which dogs can go! We look forward to welcoming you to the forest!
AnniceC2013
KL39 contributions
Hello.. May I know if it is free to enter this park?
Laura
Bath, UK277 contributions
Free to park and free to walk around ground level.
Francesca D
Dublin, Ireland25 contributions
Hi. Is there a place to hire bikes for the day? If so, where and price? If not,is there anywhere in rotorua that offers day tours or hire.
Thanks
krebs1979
New Zealand25 contributions
Hi. Sorry I didn't reply sooner; I didn't realise there was a function for questions!
Yes, there are bikes to hire, cos I saw a few e-bikes that looked like hire bikes. But, I don't know exactly where to hire them. Sorry
Hi we will be staying in Rotorua CBD and wanting to go to Redwoods which is a 13 minute drive . Do I catch a taxi or is there a bus we can catch, thanks
PeppiBrisbane_
Cairns, Australia117 contributions
Sorry, I can’t see all of your question.
marshy1991
Rutherford, Australia11 contributions
will this be safe enough if i had my one year old in a body carrier?
JanefromSpain
Brisbane, Australia79 contributions
Hi Marshy, yes it is safe for that. There are a few sulphur ponds so I would probably keep children close but it is a lovely walk. (Noting I only did the shortest one).
Keshav M
Hyderabad, India2 contributions
How much time does it take to cover the Forest ?
Knuknuk
Washington DC, DC61 contributions
There are six different treks you can do ranging from an hour to overnight. We did one for two hours and another for three. I don't recommend the yellow trek but the internal treks, the shorter ones, are beautiful. Very nice, quiet , peaceful and although there are lots of people, we really felt that we were no surrounded by others. We simply passed them and said hello. Really nice to walk through and connect with nature.
hi there,
just got a bit confused about The Redwoods...so it's actually a free-access (and free of charge) forest that we can go in any time (24/7)? even on Christmas day? and we don't need to get and tickets?
"The Redwoods Tree Walk" is something (commercial) else - that you need to pay and walk on well-built/ developed pathway?
thanks.
Denise M
Tauranga, New Zealand21 contributions
Recently walked at the Redwoods and enjoyed the new tree top walk which there is as cost $15 if over 65 otherwise $25. Only 8 people allowed at a time. It is a one way direction walk. Children cannot be carried obviously for safety reasons. I would like to try it again at night time with the beautiful lanterns going.
Frequently Asked Questions about Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest
- We recommend booking Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 21 Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest:
- Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour (From AU$74.71)
- Rotorua Maori Geothermal Geysers Tour with Highlights (From AU$157.15)
- Redwood Forest , Blue Springs & Huka Falls Day Tour from Auckland (From AU$484.02)
- Tauranga Shore Excursion: Maori Geothermal Village & Kiwi Fruit Orchard Tour (From AU$158.11)
- Rainbow Springs and Rotorua Shore Excursion Private Tour (From AU$824.47)
- Hotels near Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest:
- (0.17 km) B&B @ The Redwoods
- (0.54 km) Santa Maria Motel
- (2.46 km) The Springs Luxury Bed and Breakfast
- (2.19 km) Arista of Rotorua
- (2.16 km) Kings On Peace
- Restaurants near Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest:
- (0.00 km) Eastwood Cafe, Scion Innovation Centre
- (0.30 km) Sequoia Eatery Rotorua
- (0.23 km) The Coffee Club
- (0.37 km) BurgerFuel Redwood Centre
- (0.82 km) Giovanni's