• The Forest

History of Whakarewarewa Forest

Sitting in Whakarewarewa Forest, one of the oldest exotic forests in New Zealand, the area where the Treewalk now calls home was originally planted in the early 1900’s. Of the 170 different species planted, only a handful remain today – including the 6-ha stand of Californian Redwoods. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that the forest was opened to the public for recreation, and since then it has become the soul of the city attracting more than 600, 000 visitors a year.

You can find more information about the general forest and surrounds here.

 

New High Walkway

Since opening in late 2015, Redwoods Treewalk has become a world-renowned experience and established itself as a must-do Rotorua attraction. It has continued to innovate, with the introduction of the Nightlights walk in December 2016, and the new 20 m high viewing platform built in 2017 – giving visitors the opportunity to get up even higher and the chance to stand on one of two glass viewing panels and see the forest floor below.

Giant Redwood Ring

Come face to face with a piece of world history. Over 2,000 years old and 3.5 metres wide, the giant redwood ring is a log section from a massive American sequoia tree on display at Redwoods Treewalk.

View its lifespan and fascinating past as the passing of time and historical milestones on this earth is beautifully showcased across selected growth rings and the generations it has survived.

As you look right into the heartwood of its trunk, its ancient pith and the growth rings that illustrate the seasons it has endured, it is inevitable to gain an incredible sense of humility and responsibility to preserve and protect these gentle giants amongst us.

Redwoods Nightlights

The Nightlights David Trubridge

The lanterns and entry ramp you will see on the Nightlights Treewalk are designed by world-renowned designer and sustainability champion, David Trubridge.

David is an avid environmentalist and his wooden sculptural lights reflect the patterns and rhythms of nature. The wood is left naturally unfinished and the designs use only the minimum amount of materials. The design, sustainability and innovation elements form an inherent part of the experience. One of the Nightlights Titi, won a gold award at the New Zealand premiere design awards, The Best Awards.

Enjoy the amazing light display with numerous unique lanterns lighting up the forest and ferns.

Buy Tickets
Explore Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest

Local Forest Walks & Tracks

Relax and spend some time wandering along the easy walking tracks in the Redwoods Forest.

Ranging from 30 minutes to an hour, the Redwood Memorial Grove and Waitawa tracks offer a breathtaking experience.

Ground walks are free, but require a reasonable level of fitness and suitable footwear.

Nearby Lakes

Take a quick car trip to view our picturesque lakes. Only minutes from Redwoods Treewalk are some of the most beautiful lakes in the region.

Just a 10 minute drive from the Redwoods Forest you’ll find the Blue and Green lakes – Lake Tikitapu and Lake Rotokakahi. Walk around the edge of Lake Tikitapu enjoying native bush and the stunning lake itself.

Five minutes further down the road is the beautiful Lake Tarawera. A water taxi can take you to Hot Water Beach for a warm dip! A perfect way to wind down after the Redwoods Treewalk.

FOLLOW US

Summer is here at Treewalk! ☀️ 
Our wait times *every night* will be significant - so follow our #protips for nighttime -

📌 Pre purchase Fast Pass tickets (online only) - booked date & time for entry, departures every 20 mins for the first 2 hours after sunset

📌 For General Admission tickets (online & onsite) - we recommend families arrive early and adults arrive later in the night closer to our last entry time to avoid the peak (middle of the evening)

See you in the forest 🌟
POV: You’re our maintenance team and heights don’t scare you! 🫣
Opening hours update! 🌿

As of this Friday (24 Nov 2023) we are extending our hours -

9AM - 11PM (Mon - Fri, Sun)
9AM - 11.30PM (Sat)
^ last tix sold times

⭐ Please be aware - we have been VERY busy at night ⭐

We strongly recommend getting a Fast Pass 🎟️ but if you miss out, here are some tips - 

We recommend young families arrive earlier in the night before Nightlights begin 👪
and couples and adults arrive later in the night, closer to the last ticket sold time 💑
A fun little time lapse 🤩
A different way to see the forest ✨
“Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time.” 
 - Katrina Mayer 🌿
Hope everyone had a safe and sunny Labour Weekend ☀️🌿🌸
Did you know that New Zealand has 200 species of ferns? 🌿

They range from 10 metres high to tiny ferns only 20mm long! 

About 40% of these species occur nowhere else in the world 🌎
  • Did the new Redwoods Altitude experience! Absolutely amazing! Enjoyable! Safe! Adventurous! Sam (our guide) was an wealth of insight, experience & fun! A must do!!!

    Scott
    Rotorua, New Zealand  
  • Coolest place ever! We went at dusk so did half of the walk in the day time and the other half in the semi dark when all the night lights were on! Was such a beautiful walk and loved every moment! The staff were super informative and nice. I will definitely be back in the future!

    Haytea
    Whangarei, New Zealand  
  • What an asset to Rotorua. The beauty and peaceful feeling when walking around the heights was beautiful. Thank you to our guide Izumi

    The Fullers
    Tirau, New Zealand  
  • The Redwood Forest is just stunning... The lights are just incredible and it is such a beautiful thing to be walking so high in the trees. We also went back the next day and walked around the forest - still gorgeous. Would definitely recommend.

    Sarah
    Hamilton, New Zealand  
  • This is a highlight in Rotorua. Super friendly and helpful staff. Amazing walk high through the trees. Take the high road if you dare! It's worth it.

    Trish
    Auckland, New Zealand  
  • The Redwoods Altitude tree walk is beyond amazing! It was the highlight of our tiki tour of the North Island, and if you’re a wee bit terrified of heights, it was life changing. We felt so safe while being challenged well beyond our comfort zones. The guides are great, very encouraging.

    Bethny
    Auckland, New Zealand  
  • "perfection" This experience was a true 10/10 for us. The perspective and views it offers of the grove are spectacular and unique. The actual bridge crossings and zip-lining very quickly went from potential impediments to accentuating the experience. Our guides, Jordan and Nicole, were the absolute best. If you were on the fence, go for this one. It's incredibly clear that the altitude team is there to make sure your experience will be like ours -- spectacularly unforgettable.

    Steve
    Pennsylvania, USA  
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