Trounson Kauri Park
The drive on State Highway 12 provides a good introduction to the beauty of the forest. It winds through magnificent stands of tall kauri, rimu and northern rata, and offers extensive views in a few places.
Good walking tracks give easy access to the most spectacular attractions of the forest: the giant trees Tane Mahuta, Te Matua Ngahere and Yakas.
To appreciate the vastness of the forest, stop off at the Historic Forest Lookout near the south side of the forest. A picnic area and toilets are available at Tane Mahuta.
You may also want to visit Trounson Kauri Park which has a campground and loop track. Take your torch and some red cellophane to put over your light and if you are quiet be amazed by the forest night life!
A stand of four impressive kauri trees, known as the Four Sisters, can be visited by taking a 10-minute walk in the Waipoua Forest.
Walk up a short track that climbs through a stand of young kauri 'rickers' and offers scenic views of the Waipoua River.
The track connects the Waipoua Visitor Centre to the historic forestry lookout. The track traverses through a regenerating manuka and podocarp/hardwood forest.
Visit Tane Mahuta, New Zealand's largest known living kauri tree.
Take a 20-minute walk in Waipoua Forest to view the world's second largest living kauri Te Matua Ngahere.
This short loop track in Waipoua Forest is 1 km south of the forest lookout. Fine examples of toatoa (blue celery pine) and other podocarps can be seen from the track.
Walk on a well-surfaced track to Cathedral Grove and then move on to experience the seventh largest kauri in Waipoua Forest, the 'Yakas' tree.
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Kauri trees
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