New Zealand Tourism Online

Rotorua Tours, New Zealand

Whirinaki Trax Introduction

Whirinaki Trax is a small, locally owned and operated eco-tourism business. We have been in the area for over twenty years, being involved in education and passenger services. We have a love of the area and want to share our unique environment with you.

The Whirinaki Forest is located on the North Island of New Zealand, near Rotorua. Whirinaki Trax also offer a pick up and drop off service for independent walkers, hikers and trampers in the Whirinaki Forest Park, Rotorua. These guided walks provide a flexible access service to ensure the visitor popularity of this unique New Zealand forest.

New Zealand Guided Walks

Whirinaki Trax run New Zealand guided walks on demand for a minimum of four people—we would have to alter the charges if taking less. Good footwear and rainwear is needed in this environment. We can offer suggestions and provide tours to suit the needs of most clients. Our vehicles are a seven seater Landrover and a 38-seater Mitsubishi bus, so most groups can be catered for. Please note that independent trampers require hut passes from the Department of Conservation.

Rotorua Tours and Services

Pick up and drop off service – for independent hikers and trampers. This access service is flexible to the clients needs, the main aim being to make this unique forest available to as many people as possible. The Whirinaki forest park has a network of well-marked tracks and trails with basic but comfortable huts to spend the night in. We can advise on which route to take and can cater for trips from one night through to six nights.

Fully guided one-day tour – a guided experience, which involves a commentary about the development of the area on our trip out to the forest, with short stops at points of interest. On our arrival at Minginui we have a selection of walks from which to choose, ranging from one hour to four hours. We could visit the sanctuary preservation area for a 90 minute walk, go to the Arahaki Lagoon to see the giant Kahikatea trees or walk up to the Whirinaki waterfall via the Te Whaiti Nui A Toi Canyon which takes approximately four hours. After the walk a picnic style lunch is provided beside a picturesque waterfall. From here we make our way back to your accommodation via the Galatea valley, where we visit the Covell Winery, a biodynamic vineyard set along the foothills of the Urewera Ranges. Both of these options are available from Whakatane, Taupo or Rotorua.

For more information about Rotorua tours please contact us or visit our New Zealand guided walks Web site.

Whirinaki Forest Park

The Whirinaki Forest Park is New Zealand’s twentieth forest park and is administered by the Department of Conservation. It extends over 54,000 hectares, stretching from the steep back country beech forest down to the unique lowland podocarp forest on the river terraces.

It is in these lowland areas that we see pristine examples of virgin rainforest that has its origins in the Mesozoic age, a geological era which extended from 225 million years ago to around 65 million years ago (an era that contained the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods). During this time Dinosaurs appeared and ruled the Earth, and gymnosperms and angiosperms were the dominant plant types. Towards the end of the period the mammals emerged. The Whirinaki has more species with this ancient ancestry that reach adulthood, than comparable forests elsewhere and is therefore one of the most primeval forests in the world. Whirinaki’s tree species have a continuous lineage stretching back without modification to the ancient continent of Gondwanaland.

The Whirinaki boasts exceptional examples of the five main podocarps: Matai, Rimu, Totara, Miro and Kahikatea which form dense canopies that rise up 65 metres, from carpets of moss and tiny ferns that spread thickly at the trees feet. Frequently seen dotted on the forest floor are brightly coloured fungi and lichens.

Whirinaki Forest Park is one of New Zealand’s most famous forest areas, with amazingly tall trees, cascading rivers and a wide variety of habitats for wildlife.

The Giant trees of the Whirinaki deserve their global ranking and are of international significance and are therefore protected. The forests isolation has been its saviour, with the splendour of ancient trees now preserved for everyone to enjoy.

The Whirinaki Forest Park is one of the great rainforests of the world, home to many species of native timber, also the birdlife in the Park is diverse and abundant. Rushing rivers, diverse habitats, bird life that includes the native kaka, pigeon, tui, bellbird, waxeye, longtailed cuckoo, blue duck, parakeet as well as pigs, deer, kiwi, bats and a fascinating past combine to make this treasure a truly unique experience. Unlike many of the northern hemisphere native forests which are single species stands, the Whirinaki podocarp canopy provides an excellent environment for broadleaf and hardwood plants such as tawa and kamihi, which form a colourful and fragrant under-canopy.

New Zealand

New Zealand’s awesome landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife and pleasant climate make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to unwind. New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural, and the honesty, friendliness, and openness of Kiwis will impress you. The great advantage of New Zealand is that all of its diverse physical, cultural, and artistic landscapes are so close to each other!

After only one thousand years of human settlement New Zealand has lost many native species. But impressive gains have been made in recent times to protect and enhance what is left. These include removing introduced pests from island wildlife sanctuaries, the establishment of 13 national parks, three maritime parks, two world heritage areas, hundreds of nature reserves and ecological areas, a network of marine reserves and wetlands, and protection for special rivers and lakes. In total, around 30 percent of New Zealand’s land area is protected conservation land.

In addition, research and management programmes have been introduced to aid the recovery of rare and endangered species like kakapo, kokako, kiwi and tuatara. New Zealand welcomes everyone to experience and discover its unique and precious natural heritage. We only ask that you make as little impact as possible, so future generations may also enjoy it all.

For more information about Rotorua tours please contact us or visit our New Zealand guided walks Web site.

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