4WD Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$465
per adult
Foris Eco-tours
Foris Eco-tours
5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Full view
About
Explore NZ's finest forests with us! We offer fun, educational nature experiences. Options Include; - a full day hike in the world famous Whirinaki Forest, Discover the Tongariro National Park or - experience a fantastic one day birding adventure. Enjoy nature at its best with NZ's most expert natural history guides.
Tours and Tickets by Foris Eco-tours
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Likely To Sell Out
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
AU$465
per adult
Ports of Call Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
AU$465
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
74 reviews
Excellent
72
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Jackie A
Long Beach, CA3 contributions
Sept 2017 • Solo
I spent about 10 days in Rotorua and this was undoubtedly the best day of all. I knew Whirinaki forest was special as soon as I stepped foot in the place. Whereas Waimangu, Waiotapu and the Redwood forest get much more attention, this incredible forest remains pristine and for a majority of the time, Tom and I were the only souls on the path. I have never been to a place quite like Whirinaki and I was walking in wonder at every turn and corner of this brilliant green rainforest. Of course it was raining in the rain forest, which only enhanced the enchanting beauty of this unique place.
Tom's kind and intelligent presence enhanced the experience as he pointed out plants, fungi, and birds along the path. Tom introduced me to a world that I never knew existed-the world of birding. We even spotted a blue duck! His passion about being outdoors and the environment really shone through the day hike at Whirinaki and conversation about life and nature was thought provoking.
All you need is a good pair of hiking boots and a rain jacket. The hike itself is not difficult and the views of every pocket of this forest are unforgettable. You will learn to see through Tom's eyes as he views the rain forest with passion and knowledge.
As a bonus, the lunch is delicious. Thanks Tom!
Tom's kind and intelligent presence enhanced the experience as he pointed out plants, fungi, and birds along the path. Tom introduced me to a world that I never knew existed-the world of birding. We even spotted a blue duck! His passion about being outdoors and the environment really shone through the day hike at Whirinaki and conversation about life and nature was thought provoking.
All you need is a good pair of hiking boots and a rain jacket. The hike itself is not difficult and the views of every pocket of this forest are unforgettable. You will learn to see through Tom's eyes as he views the rain forest with passion and knowledge.
As a bonus, the lunch is delicious. Thanks Tom!
Written 14 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the kind words. It was a pleasure to spend the day with you. Happy travels. All the best for your future adventures.
Written 16 September 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bennyl3
London, UK10 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
Visiting Whirinaki Forest for the first half of the day and ending the day with rafting was a great way to spend the day out in nature and being active.
Written 27 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
enviroman1947
Livermore, CA8 contributions
Dec 2019
Spent an awesome day birding with Tom. 51 species (mostly new to me) in six hours of birding. Tom really knows New Zealand, it’s birds and their habitats. He is a top notch birder with wide experience in conservation projects which has greatly expanded his knowledge of the region. Tom also offers multi-day trips which will produce many more species and habitats. You will really enjoy your time with him, let him show you “his” New Zealand.
Written 11 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Neil. It was a pleasure to spend the day with you. All the very best with your travels.
Written 12 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SadieAtlantaGa831
Atlanta, Georgia121 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
We spend two days with Tom and loved every minute. Tom is passionate about conservation and freely shares his wealth of knowledge Tom was super friendly and took us on hikes we will never forget. If you are in the Rotorua area you must book hikes with Tom. If you are just thinking about going to Rotorua- do and book time with Tom it will be the highlight of your North Island time
Written 2 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SGF112
Philadelphia, PA5 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
Tom is an experienced, , knowledgeable and personable guide. Learned about flora, fauna, geology of the forest while enjoying a wonderful hike. Beautiful unique environment not to be missed. Would travel with Tom again in the future. Thanks, Tom!
Written 19 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your kind words, It was a pleasure to spend the day together. All the very best for 2019!
Written 24 January 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sakaiweller
Irvine, CA2 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
We spent three superb days with Tom and enjoyed everything he showed us, which included ancient podocarp forests at Whirinaki Conservation Park, the volcanoes at Tongariro National Park, bird life at the Bay of Plenty, and the conservation project at Sanctuary Mountain (Maungatautari). Tom planned excursions that matched our interests in the forests and birds of New Zealand. We were fortunate to see magnificent forests, unusual plants, and great birds, including Wrybills at the Bay of Plenty and Blue ducks (Whio) at Tongariro National Park. Tom is extremely well informed about the natural history and conservation of New Zealand, and his enthusiasm for these subjects made for three very enjoyable days. Tom also steered us in the direction of interesting places to visit in other areas of the North Island, which made our entire trip memorable. We highly recommend Foris Eco-Tours- a great way to see the best of the North Island.
Written 29 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zoodit
Cairns, Australia24 contributions
Dec 2011 • Friends
I took my Australian visitor on Tom's trip and I couldn't have picked a better tour. Tom is incredibly knowledable and was able to answer all our questions. I learned heaps about this region although having grown up here I thought I knew it well. I just loved the rafting. The first bit of the river was really exciting, and then there were some calmer stretches where we could really relax and just enjoy the beautiful environment. If you have never been rafting before, don't be scared - it's fantastic fun. After lunch and coffee we did a walk through some of the best bush that I have been in. We got close up with a kaka and even saw a couple of amazing green parrots (kakariki). This trip has something for everyone. Thanks Tom for a great day - and good lunch too!
Written 5 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry L
Chicago, IL107 contributions
We had a delightful time on the trails as our guide Tom pointed out birds, trees, ferns, flowers, berries and seeds of note along with some history of the forest that made for an interesting and informative day. We had many questions which Tom was happy to answer with facts and good humor. We highly recommend this tour for anyone who likes to be outdoors and wants to experience an unusual forest. Tom is a wealth of knowledge on a variety of topics and is an excellent choice for seasoned veterans who want an expert on local flora and fauna.
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the kind words, been a while since I looged in here but nice to remember all these great trips.
Written 4 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mark Z
Copenhagen, Denmark336 contributions
Tom is just a right person to take you for hiking in rainforest. He knows a lot about trees, animals and forest. Telling good stories, showing things you will not notice. We had cozy lunch at waterfalls.
If you have time must book tour.
If you have time must book tour.
Written 6 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your kind words. We are blessed to work in a beautiful landscape.I enjoyed your stories and passion very much. Cheers
Tom
Written 12 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
petergoode2
Hendersonville, NC513 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
My wife and I were in the course of a three week self-drive excursion through fabulous New Zealand, and had indicated to the company which helped arrange our itinerary (Kensington) that we wished to have maximal access to birding opportunities during the trip. We are not the least bit in the way of professional birders, do not have a life list, but love nature, and of course, New Zealand is well known for its avian population. We were thus scheduled to spend a full day in the Rotorua area with Tom Lynch and Foris Eco-Tours.
Although neither my wife nor I are the least bit feeble, we did wish to ensure that we would not be expected to engage in a hike appropriate for twenty year olds. Per a pre-visit email, he kindly and promptly assured me that he would arrange for an itinerary appropriate for our situation, and indeed, that proved to be the case.
Tom picked us up at our B&B promptly at 9 a.m., and we were off to the coastal area. He was an excellent driver, and his SUV provided a very comfortable ride -- we greatly appreciated the air conditioning on a hot and humid day, amongst multiple rain squalls.
Tom is well experienced and knows his birds! At the coast, we saw multiple species including black shag, little black shag, pied shag, New Zealand dabchick, white faced heron, red-billed gull, variable and pied oystercatchers, New Zealand kingfisher, swamp harrier, royal spoonbill. Great bird photos! After a quick stop for fish and chips, it was off to Maungatautari, a remarkable sanctuary representing an amazing effort at conservation/restoration, a fully fenced off mountain providing a protected environment for several unique and threatened New Zealand species including kaka, kiwi, takahe, kokako. We only saw a few, and heard many more, and the excellent prepared walking paths provided for a fabulous stroll through a primordial forest of green. There were a couple of bird feeding stations, as well as much signage describing the birds and flora.
The seven hours just flew by, as our drives between sites were characterized by fascinating discussions (at least they were fascinating to US!) regarding anything and everything related to New Zealand and touring.
We will be certain to thank Kensington for having set up this day for us, and of course, will always fondly remember the whole experience!
Although neither my wife nor I are the least bit feeble, we did wish to ensure that we would not be expected to engage in a hike appropriate for twenty year olds. Per a pre-visit email, he kindly and promptly assured me that he would arrange for an itinerary appropriate for our situation, and indeed, that proved to be the case.
Tom picked us up at our B&B promptly at 9 a.m., and we were off to the coastal area. He was an excellent driver, and his SUV provided a very comfortable ride -- we greatly appreciated the air conditioning on a hot and humid day, amongst multiple rain squalls.
Tom is well experienced and knows his birds! At the coast, we saw multiple species including black shag, little black shag, pied shag, New Zealand dabchick, white faced heron, red-billed gull, variable and pied oystercatchers, New Zealand kingfisher, swamp harrier, royal spoonbill. Great bird photos! After a quick stop for fish and chips, it was off to Maungatautari, a remarkable sanctuary representing an amazing effort at conservation/restoration, a fully fenced off mountain providing a protected environment for several unique and threatened New Zealand species including kaka, kiwi, takahe, kokako. We only saw a few, and heard many more, and the excellent prepared walking paths provided for a fabulous stroll through a primordial forest of green. There were a couple of bird feeding stations, as well as much signage describing the birds and flora.
The seven hours just flew by, as our drives between sites were characterized by fascinating discussions (at least they were fascinating to US!) regarding anything and everything related to New Zealand and touring.
We will be certain to thank Kensington for having set up this day for us, and of course, will always fondly remember the whole experience!
Written 12 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks again for choosing to spend time with us. Don't forget the wrybill, banded and Nz dotterel, bar tailed Godwits and more. All the best for your travels. It was a pleasure to host you and Terry. Best regards. Tom
Written 14 February 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.