Rotorua Trek
Rotorua Day Trek Highlights: a full day exploring Rotorua's natural wonders and scenic highlights. Guided walk through New Zealand's finest example of native podocarp forest - towering rimu, totara and kahikatea trees in internationally recognised Whirinaki Forest, following a pristine river to an impressive waterfall and breathtaking canyon, and finishing with a soak in one of Rotorua's special natural hot springs.
8:30am to 5:30pm. Pick-up from your Rotorua accommodation
3-5 hours of guided walks on well-formed, easy trails
Passionate, professional guides
Fitness level: easy to moderate
Whakatane Day Walks are also available. Please inquire for options.
Available daily on demand. Reservations essential.
Prices: NZ $200 per adult, $130 per child (15 years and under) Family / group rates available. All walks require a minimum of 2 participants, or single supplement.
Includes: Fresh picnic lunch, snacks and drinks, entry to parks, transport to/from your Rotorua accommodation, friendly knowledgeable guide.
What to bring: Good walking shoes or boots, drinking water, sunhat and sunscreen, camera, bathing suit for optional hot spring swim, warm clothing, raincoat, small backpack (we lend raincoats and backpacks on request).
Check Availability / Make a Booking
Rotorua Day Trek Full Itinerary:
8:30am pick-up from your Rotorua accommodation. A one-hour drive leads across the Kaingaroa Plains to enter a striking mountain range and the dense Whirinaki Forest, on the edge of Te Urewera National Park.
A one- to two-hour trek follows a dazzlingly clear river up to a powerful waterfall, through a magnificent stand of pristine native podocarp trees. The remarkable forest towers overhead with giant examples of totara, rimu, matai and kahikatea (NZ's tallest tree), whose immense size will forever leave you with a changed perspective!
Unique native birds such as the noisy kaka, kereru (NZ wood pigeon), and tui abound in this lush environment. Whirinaki is arguably the best remnant of New Zealand podocarp forest remaining, and was saved from logging just in time by a successful environmental campaign that captured the nation's attention. English botanist and environmentalist David Bellamy has cited Whirinaki as one of his most loved forests in the world!
Enjoy a delicious fresh picnic lunch beside the waterfall, before trekking a further one- to two-hours through this incredible forest, to look over a spectacular canyon carved by the river. The very rare New Zealand Blue Duck is sometimes seen in this river, and your guide will explain why this special duck is unique amongst others.
Journeying back to Rotorua there may be time to stop to view some interesting displays about the native trees and birds we have just seen, and also to learn more about the dramatic environmental protest that saved the forest. And finally, relax in a beautiful natural hot spring with a glass of bubbly - the perfect way to finish a fantastic day in Rotorua's varied and unique natural environment.
Drop-off in Rotorua approx 5:30pm.
(Please note the hot spring swim is dependent on time and weather)
Call Hilary: 
