Activities in Pureora Forest Park

Tracks and walks

Bird and wildlife watching

Birds

There are a number of places throughout the park suitable for bird watching. Kaka, kakariki, kokako, and karearea are to be found in parts of the park, as well as kereru, tomtits, north island robins, tui, bellbirds, fantails, and wax-eyes. The forest tower is a good way to see birds in the tops of trees, and is easily accessed from the end of Bismark Rd. The Waipapa Loop Track is another easily accessed track on the edge of the Waipapa Ecological Area, where pest control has increased bird numbers. Be sure to take a pair of binoculars and a camera with you.

New Zealand has two species of bats - the long tail and short tail bat. Both bats may be viewed at dusk in some locations around the park.

Bats

The Ngaherenga campground offers views of short tail bats as they leave a roosting tree. Long tail bats may be seen and heard along Select Loop Road.

A bat detector is handy but not necessary to see the bats. A pair of binoculars may enhance your experience, but due to their size and speed, bats are difficult to see.

Child/family friendly activities

Within 10 minutes of Pureora Field Base there are several sites of special scientific, historic and ecological interest. These sites are all located along short walks, some of them are wheelchair/pushchair accessible, and all are family friendly.

The Totara Walk, buried forest, forest tower, vintage steam hauler and tractor and old crawler tractor are push-chair accessible and are short walks 5-30 minutes long. Enjoy bird watching along the trail.

Toilets and a picnic area are located opposite the Totara Walk. A fresh water tap is available on the wall of the building there. Take a frisbee or a ball to utilise the grassy area next to the picnic tables.

Dog walking

Dogs and owners are welcome to use the network of tramping and walking tracks throughout the park for exercise. You'll need a dog control permit, which is available from the Maniapoto Area Office. Dogs must be under control at all times.

Dogs are not permitted along any of the short walks throughout the park.

Four wheel driving

The northern block of the Pureora Forest Park has areas available for four wheel driving.

The King Country 4WD group works in partnership with DOC to open and maintain 4WD tracks for public access and enjoyment.

Access into the north block is along Waitaramoa Rd, off SH30 (the Te Kuiti - Mangakino Highway) almost opposite the Pureora Field Centre.

Historic sites

The Timber Trail cycleway between Pureora and Ongarue follows historic bush tramways, old bulldozer and haul roads.

Other areas of historic significance throughout the park include the crawler tractor, the buried forest and the vintage steam hauler and tractor. Each of these walks will take 5-10 minutes.

Horse riding

Horse riding is a limited activity within the Pureora Forest Park. You'll need a horse permit for each rider, available from the Maniapoto Area Office.

Hunting

There are moderate populations of pigs and red deer throughout the Pureora Forest Park. There are also small populations of goats. The recreational hunting area near Ngaroma, north of Mount Pureora is a good place to hunt, as are the catchments around Piropiro Flats. Hunting permits are available online or by contacting your closest DOC office.

Find out about hunting in Pureora Forest Park and surrounds

Mountain biking and cycling

Pureora Forest Park contains many kilometres of roads and tracks suitable for mountain biking. Mountain bikers are welcome to explore all the formed roads and tracks with Pureora Forest Park, wherever old cut earth of "bladed" lines are found. A range of easy and technical rides are ready to be discovered.

Select Loop Road and Okahukura Loop provide beginner or easy tracks for people to try mountain-biking, and are easy to find in the northern block of the park. For more adventurous riding, the Waione Tram Mountain Bike Track is a long and remote grade 3-4 track.

The Timber Trail, between Pureora and Ongarue, will provide over 80 km of cycling pleasure through bush covered hills and across deep gorges. A family-friendly 2-3 day cycling adventure on easy gradients and surfaces, the Timber Trail is one of several cycleways being developed as part of Nga Haerenga - the New Zealand cycle trails. The Timber Trail begins in Pureora village. A small number of bikes are available for hire at Pa Harakeke (www.paharakeke.co.nz).

Quad and trail biking

Pureora Forest Park contains many kilometres of roads and tracks suitable for quad bike riding. Quad bikers may explore all the formed roads and tracks within Pureora Forest Park, wherever old cut earth of "bladed" lines are found. A range of easy and technical rides are ready to be discovered.

Select Loop Road and Okahukura Loop provide beginner or easy tracks for people to try quad biking. The tracks around Piropiro Flats (excluding the Timber Trail) are also suitable for quad biking.

Specialist activities: Star gazing

The Pureora Forest Park offers spectacular star gazing opportunities. The Piropiro campground is privately located at the end of Kokomiko Rd and is sheltered from neighbouring properties and lights for a full emersion experience. The Pureora Cabins and the Ngaherenga campground in Pureora Village also offer good star gazing opportunities due to the limited amount of lighting within the village. Freedom camping off main tracks is also permitted within the park, allowing users to pick their own spot for star gazing.

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