Features
Trounson's mainland island comprises 450ha of old growth kauri and regenerating broadleaf forest. Threatened species include: kauri snails, banded kokopu, various weta species, kukupa, long-tailed bat, kokako (reintroduced on a trial basis), and the highest-density of North Island brown kiwi populations in Northland, under threat from a northward-advancing ferret population.
Background
In 1890, when the timber industry threatened to virtually wipe out Northland kauri forests 3.34 hectares was initially set aside here by the Government of the day. An early settler and saw miller James Trounson added a further 22 hectares to this initial gesture. Following the establishment of a Scenic Preservation Club, Mr Trounson offered to sell another 364 hectares of forest land to the Government for the value of the trees alone. It was officially opened as Trounson Kauri Park in 1921.
Kauri bark
Things to see
A walk through Trounson offers you a great experience, just to view this wonderful forest. Kauri, taraire, kauri grass, kiekie, ferns, and epiphytes dominate the particularly lush vegetation. You can see kukupa by day and, with patience, kiwi by night.
Fantails, pied tits, morepork and other forest birds are also resident. Fallen kauri, light-wells, clear streams and filmy ferns are among the many other interesting features of Trounson.
You can learn more about Trounson's features through interpretation panels and audio points, which add to this easy going 30 to 40 min track.
A guided night-walk, available with a local tourism operator, provides another opportunity to experience the forest by night.
Places to stay
The Trounson Kauri Park campground offers tranquillity and good access to the forest track by night. The campground has four powered sites, camping for 10-15 parties, cooking facilities, a toilet block and showers.